Nuisance calls - does this old trick still work?

DrPaul

I'm getting sick and tired of receiving scam telephone calls (probably from India) trying to get me to pay for the privilege of downloading a load of malware onto my PC. It's getting to the point of a few every week.

I've tried the usual responses of profanity or stringing them along, but it's all getting too boring for words.

I seem to remember a tip from the old days of the analogue POTS (plain old telephone system) that one should invest in a referee's whistle or similar and blast it down the line at the nuisance caller. The idea being that the frequency of the whistle was close to the "resonant frequency" of the phone line and so could be quite painful at the far end.

Does anyone know if this is still likely to work in the context of the sort of digital systems that are now in place?

While I wouldn't propose using this as a reaction to some poor soul in a UK call centre who is annoying but trying to sell a genuine product, these people are fully aware that they are scamming innocent citizens and I have no sympathy for then whatsoever.

fluffnutter

It probably does work. It's also assault.

missile

I can understand why you would want to blow the whistle. I usually say, just a moment and I will get Mr XXX. They have wasted my time so I like to waste their's.:money:

Azari

fluffnutter wrote: »

It probably does work. It's also assault.

Yeah, because scammers in India are going to get right on to Interpol to make a complaint.

Actually, I very much doubt it would qualify as assault.

Or, indeed, that it will work on a digital line.

Steer73

How is blowing a whistle down the phone going to stop the calls?

maninthestreet

Steer73 wrote: »

How is blowing a whistle down the phone going to stop the calls?

It probably won't, but makes you feel a whole lot better.

vikingaero

You should have fun rather than get angry at them. Every moment spent on the phone to them is a public service - you stop them calling other people. So pretend you are interested. Ask stupid questions: "Can I get my Windows 7 double glazed?" Give them false credit card numbers and insist that they are correct.

williamD1964

Had 5 calls in one day. I just tell them I have a mac, or I am using linux. They usually go quiet and I snigger. Witnessed a friend who broke down, and screamed down the phone that the caller had signed his death warrant as he was part of witness protection program, and his cover had been compromised. Told the caller he was responsible for the impending death of his whole family etc...very am dram. I was wetting myself listening. Didnt receive a call for at least a month!

skylight

So thay mark your phone number, get themselves a whistle and phone you back......


Not the best course of action.

Sublime_2

I just say No Thanks, and put the phone down. It usually works. If they're very persistent a Fcuk off, and phone put down also works.

eco

I just say hello and then leave them talking to themselves for a minute, you'll eventually hear them say hello are you there, then put the phone down, after a while the calls start to dry up. My theory is if they want to waste my time I'll waste there's.