I just got my first bait-n-switch robocall on the Mass election to replace Ted Kennedy

[crazyfingers]

I just got my first bait-n-switch robocall.

It started out saying that it was a survey, asked if I was registered to vote, if I plan to vote. When it asked who I would vote for and I said Coakley, it switched to a screed of right wing half truths about Coakley. Some survey. They lied.

I really hate the lying right wing dinks in this country.

[Jobar]

Damn, that sounds like something that ought to be legally actionable.

Just as standard practice, if I get a call that's obviously pre-recorded, I always hang up. No exceptions. If everyone did that, pretty soon we wouldn't be bothered with that sort of bullshit. (We'd still have telemarketers asking for us by name, but I normally hang up on them, too.)

[crazyfingers]

Damn, that sounds like something that ought to be legally actionable.

Just as standard practice, if I get a call that's obviously pre-recorded, I always hang up. No exceptions. If everyone did that, pretty soon we wouldn't be bothered with that sort of bullshit. (We'd still have telemarketers asking for us by name, but I normally hang up on them, too.)

I agree with the sentiment.

Ordinarily if it's a computer calling I wait until a person comes on and then I ream them for all the computer calls that hang up on me. I hate computer calls that hang up on me and blame every single one of them and I tell them so before I hang up on them.

However, I do like to register my opinions on opinion surveys and first thing this said that it was an opinion survey. I had never received such a thing by computer and so I was skeptical but answered.

As it turned out, the sponsor was a Republican liar. I have discovered that Republican and Liar are almost the same thing.

[diana]

Damn, that sounds like something that ought to be legally actionable.

Just as standard practice, if I get a call that's obviously pre-recorded, I always hang up. No exceptions. If everyone did that, pretty soon we wouldn't be bothered with that sort of bullshit. (We'd still have telemarketers asking for us by name, but I normally hang up on them, too.)

I agree with the sentiment.

Ordinarily if it's a computer calling I wait until a person comes on and then I ream them for all the computer calls that hang up on me.Not me. I wait a little more than a second when I pick up and say "Hello." If no one answers during that time, I hang up as a matter of principle.

Oh wait. I just use caller ID anymore; I don't pick up any call I don't want to, including people I don't know--many businesses accidentally publicize our phone number--and harassment I do know.

d

[Ray Moscow]

When I lived in the US, I never answered the phone until after the answering machine kicked in and someone tried to leave a message. If a telemarketer/campaigner got through that, I'd laugh and hang up anyway.

No doubt this pissed off some friends who hated answering machines, but I guess they got used to it or else just stopped calling me.

[Febble]

I just got my first bait-n-switch robocall.

It started out saying that it was a survey, asked if I was registered to vote, if I plan to vote. When it asked who I would vote for and I said Coakley, it switched to a screed of right wing half truths about Coakley. Some survey. They lied.

I really hate the lying right wing dinks in this country.

Try contacting AAPOR.

[Pendaric]

http://www.dabs.com/learn-more/peripherals/truecall-nuisance-call-blocker-as-seen-on-dragons-den-6506.html

An end to Nuiscance Calls...
•Stops telesales calls
•Stops malicious calls
•Stops silent calls
•Stops robocalls
•Stops fax spam
•Stops market research calls
•Works alongside Telephone preference services
Features...
•Whisper - trueCall asks the caller who they are before your phone rings. You can then decide how to handle the call before being connected to the caller.
•Zap & Star - Your list of welcome and unwelcome callers.
•Shield - trueCall can ask the caller to press a number to continue before your phone rings.
•Starred Callers Only - trueCall can be set up to only accept calls from numbers on your Star list.
•Anonymous Caller Reject - Reject callers who withhold their number.
•Integrated Answering Machine - trueCall has a standard answering machine built in.
•Call Screening - Sends all unrecognized numbers to the built in answering machine.

[munnki]

I hate that doing that is legal. There was an article in the NYTimes last week about electoral funding restrictions were being lifted by the Supreme Court and that the parties (particularly the Republicans) were chomping at the bit to get nonsense adverts and jingles out onto the streets and the airwaves. I don't feel sympathy for the moron who killed a census taker in the South recently but I would feel a certain empathy with anyone who took a gun out on a door-to-door or phone-campaigner. I'm definitely a redneck in that sense - 'f£$k off and get a real job' would be my response.

I'm all about politicians having a mandate that is contractual and being restrained to only having to provide information on the issues (sourced respectably). And that information to only being provided in forums that people can access if they wish - rather than having it forced down my throat.

I also dislike the mormons coming knocking - although they're a chuckle, at least...

[sohy]

I have my phone set on two rings and I use my caller ID to decide if it's worth picking up. I'm anti social when it comes to the phone. If someone really wants me, they can leave a message.

Nobody ever knocks on my door. I think the Mormons must have gotten out the word that it's useless to disturb the little atheist woman. :)