Accidents Helpline cold caller told me to get fucked!

[Primafacie]

AIBU to post this here to name and shame that company?

They are calling us all the time. We have tried everything - humour, politeness, hanging up. This time I just lost it, and told the guy " I don't know how to impress on you that we don't want you calling. We don't even have a car. Please put your boss on the line so I can get my message across". To which he replied "Fuck you!", and hung up.

Smooth. Very smooth.

Gah. I was having a good day so far.

[Seabright]

I've had the Microsoft-scam one a few times. My personal record for keeping them on the phone so far is 45 mins.

I pretend the PC takes ages to boot up, pretend there is someone at the door so I have to go and answer it, pretend the PC is frozen, so needs re-booting.

I figure while they are wasting time with me (and I only talk to them for a few seconds every 10 mins or so, to keep the pretence going) they aren't scamming someone else.

[FierySmaug]

That's awful.
I would be very tempted to have a whistle at hand to blow down the phone as hard as I possibly could for the next time they call. They'll soon learn what will happen when they dial your number.

[TandB]

Some good ideas on here!

I quite like the password idea - I might ask "a few security questions" next time the debt management people refuse to believe that I have no debt that reuires managing!

[CatPussRoastingOnAnOpenFire]

I had a call from the Microsoft scammers. I said something along the lines of "Do you think I'm stupid, there is no way on earth that Im going to lef you anywhere near my computer, you are a scam, and will access my files, rip me off and steal my money"! The caller hung up, but before the phone went dead, I heard "Minnigfdfdf fef fvvv as as nfefefe s csdc" as he took the piss out of me in a whiney fashion! Next time, I'm going to try the pretending to do what they say approach!

[backwardpossom]

I have caller ID so most of the time I don't answer to numbers I don't recognise/aren't local. I figure they'll leave a message if it's important. If I do answer and it's a cold caller, I simply say I'm not interested and hang up before they reply.

Am at them telling you to fuck off though!!

[backwardpossom]

On the Microsoft scam, my DH loves to wind them up (he does answer the phone to cold callers...). We have a Mac, but he lets them go through their spiel and when they tell him to click on the start button, he asks where that is etc and it always ends in them hanging up on him once they twig.

[ChunkyTurkeywiththetrimmings]

My DH tried to get the Microsoft scammers to p* off by telling them he 'wasn't allowed a computer any more following the court order' but I don't think they got it!! I just tell them that no, they aren't calling from Microsoft & they need to get off the line. The only reason we don't keep them hanging is because anecdotally we have heard of people getting charges on their bills for such calls. Not sure how this works/happens, but better safe than sorry.

I once took a job as a cold caller for double glazing without realising that's what it was (I was about 17 I think some many years ago...) but I didn't have the killer instinct. I just read the script & when someone said no thanks, I said ok & hung up. I left after a couple of hours & didn't go back - I don't think I even got paid for that time!!

[digerd]

I don't answer the phone and let it go to answer machine. friends and family know this and wait for few rings and then say "It's me, are you there?".

[FreePeaceSweet]

Complain on their Facebook page & twitter. Companies love it when you do that...

They love it even more when after they ban you from making comments you get your friends to join forces to complain then they get their friends to join etc etc :o

[PackItInNow]

I was told to get fucked by some PPI cold caller. I then told him "I have been fucked but, what my love life has to do with PPI's is beyond me!!"

That particular company hasn't called back since. I wonder why.

My dad is a good'un too. When any of those cold calling companies ring his house he insists on telling them about his days in the merchant navy. The callers can't get off the phone quick enough .

[Mia4]

Next time they call make sure to have porn on hand, leave the phone next to it and walk away. They want to you to fuck yourself, well that way you assure them you now are. They won't try again.

[Startail]

I have to confess having them swear would be more interesting than my current irritation.

A stupid recorded PPI recording that talks over my answer phone message so she makes no sense at all.

I don't even get the pleasure of swearing at her.

Actually thinking about it, I'd like to learn some really good Punjabi, Hindi etc. swear words because I'm certain the worst offender is alway the same Asia gentleman.

[Primafacie]

I thought I had a good standard response too, until yesterday. I would tell them this wasn't a good time for me, and could I have their home number to call them back? When they refused, I would say 'I guess you don't want people calling you at home. Well now you know how I feel!' :o

I like the security questions too - I may try to have a bit of fun next time.

[colleysmill]

I used to be super polite but the persistence of some callers is too much so now I pretend that the phone line hasnt worked for years and that I must be speaking to a ghost or other unearthly beings

[Furball]

The microsoft ones - I always say I don't have a computer, that soon gets rid of them

[EmpressOfThePuddle]

While the whistle is tempting, it can cause actual physical harm and people have been done for assault.

I want a Microsoft spam call, I've never had one

[gatheringlilac]

Well, the CEO is googleable, so you could send her an e-mail outlining your dissatisfaction.

[Hydrophilic]

You are all too polite. If I answer the phone and there is the slightest delay im the person the other end saying something, I hang up.

I also hang up if they do respond and they're not known to me!

[gatheringlilac]

Really, it's the CEO you should give an earful to. The people they employ are responding to the pressure they are put under and are, basically, employed by the company because they are young, rude, aggressive, etc.

[CaseyShraeger]

I just don't answer international or "number unavailable" calls. If it's someone I know (which it almost never is) then they will leave a message.

[CatPussRoastingOnAnOpenFire]

I answered an international call from America. it was my local hospitals appointment reminder service!!!!

[FreePeaceSweet]

When I rang Asda to complain that an item hadn't been delivered it was answered by a call centre in Asia. I must say the man I spoke with was extremely friendly and polite and couldn't apologise enough.

[Primafacie]

I think Accidents Helpline and National Accidents Helpline are two different companies, and it's the first one calling us. I haven't managed to find much info about it online, mostly it's all about the other company.

[Alonglongway]

My 15 yr old likes dealing with these guys. She grills them extensively on what they are calling about and then says assertively "we don't want that" and puts the phone down. I've had a lot of calls lately offering to write off my personal debts - if I'm in the mood and wish to entertain the DC, I accuse them of accessing my personal information and breaching the Data Protection Act. Mildly entertaining....

[MatureUniStudent]

Chunky - you made my day! Love the idea of your DH and his court order banning internet useage!

I have been plagued by the Microsoft phonecalls, so answered one day in pigeon Spanish. Que comesta rioja tapas etc. He replied in perfect Indian accent Spanish back at me... Twas v embarrising.