Protect me from what?

[Talk Host]

This morning at 8:14, I got one of those calls..."hello, this is Skip with the Florida Fraternal Order of police. For your protection, this call is being recorded."

I said, "Protection from what?" He paused a big pause, didn't answer my question and continued with his pitch. I interrupted him and said, "This call is being recorded to protect me from what?"

He said, "I'm having a hard time hearing you." I said, "Listen closely, you are recording this call for my protection. What are you protecting me from?"

He said, "I'm glad you asked that question," then he continued with his pitch.

Suddenly the line when dead.....from my end. Thank you.

[Bogie Shooter]

I always like to ask those pitchmen for the police, state troopers, etc., what the amount of my contribution will go to the organization. When they say 15% I ask them to explain where the other 85% goes. Talk about beating around the bush.

[red tail]

I always like to ask those pitchmen for the police, state troopers, etc., what the amount of my contribution will go to the organization. When they say 15% I ask them to explain where the other 85% goes. Talk about beating around the bush.

its a labor union. why would anyone contribute to them? they collect dues from their members.

[2BNTV]

I was informed by a friend these calls are from someone like a tele-marketing type firm that are calling on behalf of the police. When I first received this type of call, I thought they were from an actually policeman

Sunday morning, (Father's Day), I received a call similar to this where the person did not identify themselves but launch into their presentation without a chance to respond in kind. I blieve she was performing a research study and said they were not trying to sell anything.

I informed them I did not have the time as I was going out and hung -up. I think it's rude for anyone that wants to take up your time and energy without asking if your okay with their proposal. At least I listened for a short while before I gave a reason for not wanting to do their survey. They never called back, thank goodness. This call annoyed me.

Recently renewed my "donotcall" listing and it should take effect in July.

My understanding is that unless you are doing business with a company, they do not have the right to call you, (tele-marketing firms should be exclude with the donotcall listing). However, my credit card company keeps calling trying to add services that I did not request or want.

Unfortunately, I never asked the phone company for a unlisted number.
Thank goodness for the caller display function and voicemail.

[skyguy79]

Scam - Bam - Thank you - Man!!! Odds on that this is what the call is! If you're not interested hangup (why's it called "hang up" when you actually put the phone down?) but if you are interested and want to support their cause, ask for a name and phone number you can call back. If it's a scam the response will probably be "Click"! :wave: "Bye-bye evil guy!"

[LittleDog]

The other day I was went to Publix and outside were a couple of guys dressed in fatigues that was collecting money for vets. From my experience this is also a scam and wonder why Publix agrees to let these people "beg" outside. Of course I didn't donate but when I went to the cashier I mentioned that these people were a scam. She said that there was another person who mentioned to her that she thought it was strange that their uniforms were not dirty.

John

[renrod]

The other day I was went to Publix and outside were a couple of guys dressed in fatigues that was collecting money for vets. From my experience this is also a scam and wonder why Publix agrees to let these people "beg" outside. Of course I didn't donate but when I went to the cashier I mentioned that these people were a scam. She said that there was another person who mentioned to her that she thought it was strange that their uniforms were not dirty.

John

strange that their uniforms were not dirty,now that in itself is STRANGE. I also am not in favor of these collecting tactics. But "uniforms NOT dirty". WOW some people live a sheltered life.

[red tail]

the fraternal order of police and the police benevolent association are just fancy titles of their respective bargaining agents ie unions! they both hire outside firms to do these things which is deplorable in my opinion.

[collie1228]

Most of the calls on behalf of police benevolent associations are legit in that they do usually collect on behalf of a legit police association. But the "collection agency's" take is up to 90% of the proceeds, which is outrageous. It doesn't say much about the negotiation ability of the police benevolent associations, does it? Who in the world would give up that much of a revenue stream? Simple laziness, I'm guessing. TH, I'm with you. Hang up on 'em.

[Pturner]

This morning at 8:14, I got one of those calls..."hello, this is Skip with the Florida Fraternal Order of police. For your protection, this call is being recorded."

I said, "Protection from what?" He paused a big pause, didn't answer my question and continued with his pitch. I interrupted him and said, "This call is being recorded to protect me from what?"

He said, "I'm having a hard time hearing you." I said, "Listen closely, you are recording this call for my protection. What are you protecting me from?"

He said, "I'm glad you asked that question," then he continued with his pitch.

Suddenly the line when dead.....from my end. Thank you.

For your protection. Sheesh. That almost sounds like a shakedown.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

............My understanding is that unless you are doing business with a company, they do not have the right to call you, (tele-marketing firms should be exclude with the donotcall listing). However, my credit card company keeps calling trying to add services that I did not request or want. ...........

2B - Certain organizations are permitted to call even though you signed up for the Do Not Call registry. From http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt107.shtm : "Calls from or on behalf of political organizations, charities, and telephone surveyors would still be permitted, as would calls from companies with which you have an existing business relationship, or those to whom you’ve provided express agreement in writing to receive their calls."

Bill :wave:

[red tail]

For your protection. Sheesh. That almost sounds like a shakedown.

as evidenced by some of the comments on here, leo's have a hard enough time getting much deserved respect without this despicable action on behalf of their union.

[mac9]

I too received a call this morning at 8:15 which woke me up and did make me a happy camper. I asked the caller for his 501 c (3) number (so as to verify the tax deductibility to an non-profit). He told me that he didn't know what I was talking about. I asked to speak to his supervisor who was unavailable. I told him since I was being recorded, he could play it back to the supervisor when he was available and then he could call me back with the needed information. I also told him not to call me until he had my requested info. So far, no one has called back!:censored:

[ijusluvit]

I used to feel a tinge of guilt about not listening to phone solicitors. Maybe one or more were really worthy of my support.

Then I made rule.

I politely mention that I do not respond to any phone requests, but will look at anything sent me in the mail. (I assume if they have my number, they have my address).

I cannot recall one solicitor asking for my address, nor can I remember receiving a single piece of mail from any of the callers.

No more tinges. Great rule.

[barb1191]

I simply say that I do not accept any telephone solicitations and immediately hang up.

[redwitch]

I put the phone down and let them waste their time. I'll pick it up every so often and, if they're still talking, go uh-huh and back to whatever. Don't know why, but I rarely get more than one call from said organizations. :shrug:

[jebartle]

that if you request the solicitor to remove your name from their list, they are required by law to NOT call again! Is this true?

[Bryan]

I think jebartle is correct. YOU are required by law to not drive over 70 MPH on Florida interstates or 25 MPH on most TV streets - how well does that work out? Scofflaws won't be intimidated by toothless laws like DO NOT CALL unless/until we get some real teeth into them and start enforcing them. At the rate things are going these days, looks like that will happen February 30th.

[JenAjd]

I too received a call this morning at 8:15 which woke me up and did make me a happy camper. I asked the caller for his 501 c (3) number (so as to verify the tax deductibility to an non-profit). He told me that he didn't know what I was talking about. I asked to speak to his supervisor who was unavailable. I told him since I was being recorded, he could play it back to the supervisor when he was available and then he could call me back with the needed information. I also told him not to call me until he had my requested info. So far, no one has called back!:censored:

I LOVE this!! Might have to try it sometime! We seem to get ALOT of unsolicited calls here in FL..not so much up north.
I've had callers where when I say "we're not interested! Please take our name off your list!" and they will argue! I then just hang up!!!
This type of call is a scam and not for the real police!! Same for cancer organizations etc.

[red tail]

where are the leo comments on this topic ??

[2BNTV]

2B - Certain organizations are permitted to call even though you signed up for the Do Not Call registry. From http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt107.shtm : "Calls from or on behalf of political organizations, charities, and telephone surveyors would still be permitted, as would calls from companies with which you have an existing business relationship, or those to whom you’ve provided express agreement in writing to receive their calls."

Bill :wave:

Thanks Bill. It's always good to be enlightened. I stand corrected. :wave:

[2BNTV]

I used to feel a tinge of guilt about not listening to phone solicitors. Maybe one or more were really worthy of my support.

Then I made rule.

I politely mention that I do not respond to any phone requests, but will look at anything sent me in the mail. (I assume if they have my number, they have my address).

I cannot recall one solicitor asking for my address, nor can I remember receiving a single piece of mail from any of the callers.

No more tinges. Great rule.

ijusluvit:

Great Rule.

I did use this rule when talking to my credit card company and they still called back. :( I guess some people don't get the hint.

I will keep this in mind as it stops them in their tracks when they go into the robot mode of giving their spiel.

[Bob45]

I put the phone down and let them waste their time. I'll pick it up every so often and, if they're still talking, go uh-huh and back to whatever. Don't know why, but I rarely get more than one call from said organizations. :shrug:

Redwitch has the right idea. A friend of mine is a telemarketer. He says he wants you to hang up right away if you're not interested. That way he can move on to someone that is. That's how he makes his money. Now, if you keep him on the phone without buying, he's not a happy camper. If you have the time, strike up a conversation with them. Keep them on as long as you can.

Bob

[Chief X]

My foolproof way of dealing with telemarketers? I simply ask them, in a creepy sort of way, what they are wearing... instant hang-up on their end.

[skyguy79]

My foolproof way of dealing with telemarketers? I simply ask them, in a creepy sort of way, what they are wearing... instant hang-up on their end.Don't forget to end that creepy sentence with Clarice and in the best Hannibal Lecter voice you can do! And if it's a male caller, make it Clarence! http://www.akfiles.com/forums/smilies/evil.gif

"What are you wearing, Clarice? I'd like a chance to meat you sometime. Heh-heh!"

[LittleDog]

Another annoyance is I seem to get a call monthly from Century Link, my phone company wanting to talk about my plan and maybe I can do better with another plan that they have. I keep telling these people I'm not interested but they keep calling. The next call I get I'm going to tell them to never call me again.

John

[kofficer]

We got pulled in by them when we first moved to St. Petersburg in 1986. It took us YEARS to get them to stop calling. I had read that hanging up, they still call back. But putting the phone down next to you and never coming back to it, for say 30 minutes, when you do, they are gone, and in our case we have NEVER heard from them again. It's been year's now.

Richard and Lee in Tampa, for now.

[batman911]

Skyguy79,

I believe the term "hang up" comes from the design of the original home telephones. You had to speak into a mouthpiece mounted on the wooden box and you placed the speaker (at the end of a cord) to your ear. When you were done with the call, you would hang the speaker back on the lever which was located on the side of the wooden box.

http://www.ralphcarlsonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/old-telephone.jpg

May need to copy and paste into your browser to see picture.

[downeaster]

Skyguy79,

I believe the term "hang up" comes from the design of the original home telephones. You had to speak into a mouthpiece mounted on the wooden box and you placed the speaker (at the end of a cord) to your ear. When you were done with the call, you would hang the speaker back on the lever which was located on the side of the wooden box.

http://www.ralphcarlsonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/old-telephone.jpg

May need to copy and paste into your browser to see picture.

I remember those from my childhood. Some small phone companies, before the big guys, hung (pun intended) onto those for years. Anyone else remember the "don't yank the crank" campaign?

[Chief X]

Don't forget to end that creepy sentence with Clarice and in the best Hannibal Lecter voice you can do! And if it's a male caller, make it Clarence! http://www.akfiles.com/forums/smilies/evil.gif

"What are you wearing, Clarice? I'd like a chance to meat you sometime. Heh-heh!"

Great advice - I'll practice that later today...haha

[2BNTV]

I don't know if they do this anymore but at one time, you could request the person calling to make a note in their computer not to call you anymore and they suppose to honor your request.

A lon time ago, I worked for a bank that it's tel-marketers were told to honor this request from it's customers or potential customers.

I love it when at the end of a computer generated call they asked you, "if you do not want be called, select option three". Then you select option three and you still get calls from the same company.

What do I know? I have more hang-ups than the phone company. :)

[rubicon]

I speak to them with an incredulous "You guys advise to watch out for scams, especially those conducted with a phone call" and then I hang up

[BigLew]

I speak to them with an incredulous "You guys advise to watch out for scams, especially those conducted with a phone call" and then I hang up

and forward the call to the BBB :pepper2:

[dillywho]

I had one once at home (yes, they're all over the country). I let him ramble on and then he asked me if they could count on my support again that year (hadn't given it in the past, either). When I told him, "No", he said, "B****", and hung up.

How legit do you think that call was???:a20:

[collie1228]

dillywho, my guess is that call wasn't prefaced by "this call is being recorded for quality assurance purposes . . ."

[Walt.]

My brother had a job as one of the "officers" calling a number of years back. He didn't like it but the money was great. He eventually left when they told him he'd have to be "more forceful" when he "had a fish."
They figured (and probably correctly) that many people are afraid to hang up on the police and can be squeezed for a few bucks.

[Trish Crocker]

I always just answer "We never contribute to anything over the phone"...that usually stops the conversation. Years ago, I knew of someone that would make calls like this, then go over and collect money....total scam! I don't trust any telephone solicitations, if it's a legitimate operation they shouldn't be phoning you. My inlaws were actually intimidated by someone calling for contributions. The callers knew my inlaws were seniors and made vague comments about knowing their address...they were quite frightened. Whenever someone calls, don't engage them in conversation...just get off the phone.