Annoying "Cardholder Services" calls

**never2late** · 09-09-2009, 10:18 AM

Is anyone else being bombarded by phone calls claiming they can reduce the interest rates on your credit cards? It starts as an automated call, most of them claiming to be "Cardholder Services" that tells you that you have been selected for this service and to press 1 to speak with someone. I have been getting 1 to 2 calls on most days for MONTHS, and it seems like they're being generated from different places. Most show up on caller ID as an 800 number. On several occasions I have pushed 1 and informed them that either we have no credit cards or that we are on the no-call list for our state. As soon as they realize you're not interested in what they're selling, they hang up on you abruptly.

Heard on the local news about a woman who listened to their sales pitch and actually gave them some of her personal info, only to be told that there was an $850 charge for the service that was billed to her credit card. She promptly told them she no longer wanted the service, but they told her it was too late as the charge already went through and she would have to wait for a refund. She called the local news station and they got her money back for her. She said what they were selling was the same thing she could do herself -- call her credit card company and ask for a lower rate.

As if things aren't bad enough, we have scum like this preying on desperate people.

**nodmicks** · 09-09-2009, 10:47 AM

Yep I was. Likely still am. Unless I recognize the number on caller ID I rarely answer. I knew it was a scam because ~ I don't have a balance month to month. It is annoying!

**Greebo** · 09-09-2009, 10:49 AM

I used to get them. I might start taking them for fun.

"Hello we're calling to save you money!"
"Really, can you lower my interest rate on my debit card?"

**nodmicks** · 09-09-2009, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by Greebo

I used to get them. I might start taking them for fun.

"Hello we're calling to save you money!"
"Really, can you lower my interest rate on my debit card?"

LOL Good idea! Maybe I'll ask them to help lower my car ins or something crazy.

**Greebo** · 09-09-2009, 11:27 AM

Another thing you can do, if the house is relatively quiet. Answer the phone but say nothing. Just take the phone off the hook and stay perfectly silent.

As I understand it, autodialers test for a responder before they forward the call to an operator. Calls cost money. So if the autodialer tests that a connection was made but no human was reached, and it happens enough times, it stops calling, cause it's costing $ to make a dead call.

**nodmicks** · 09-09-2009, 11:42 AM

Ok answering this thread just jinxed me~ just got it on the caller ID

**Contrary Housewife** · 09-09-2009, 11:58 AM

I was getting those earlier this summer. Usually there are several seconds before the recording starts after I pick up and say hello, and if I get no answer, and can tell it is an automated call I just hang up. If it's important a real person will call you.

I also went and refreshed our membership on the "do not call" list.

**frugalfranny** · 09-09-2009, 01:38 PM

Since I put my name on every do not call list I could find I have had very few calls.

The charities can still call; but if I don't like them I tell them to put me on their do not call list and have had some success there too.

**Nana2two** · 09-09-2009, 02:38 PM

We can't use the do not call list, We have our buisness phone with the house phone. So i just have to look at the caller id. Usally if the numbers are 0000000000 or 866 area code. I will not answer.I love it when you do recieve a call and then recording tells its a important call please wait for the next avaliable person, ummmm your calling me and your telling me to wait.. Helloo

**savvy_sniper** · 09-09-2009, 03:39 PM

When we bought the house 2 years ago within 30 days of getting a phone the unwanted calls started! I added our number to the do not call registry but that takes about a month to take effect. We don't get too many unwanted calls now.

BUT I just received a new Texas Sales And Use Tax Permit in the mail and OMG the phone is ringing off the hook. I don't bother to pick up the unknown, 800, or other long distance calls. They don't leave a message so I know it isn't important. I have answered a couple that were local calls and they are recordings for credit card processing companies.

I read the info that came with the permit and it states the information on my permit is public information - GREAT - NOT!

**imagine** · 09-09-2009, 03:51 PM

I tend to just not answer if I don't know the number.

This has gotten me in "trouble" a few times though.

One time was when we were getting our TV fixed through a extended warranty company. They had called several times to verify information before sending us the part. So we went a extra week without tv all because I don't answer numbers I don't know.

Oh and once I missed a call from my out of state MIL saying she was heading my way and would be in town in a hour or so for lunch. She had called on someone else's phone so I didn't recognize the number. That was a bad call not to pick up on.

**never2late** · 09-09-2009, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by Greebo

Another thing you can do, if the house is relatively quiet. Answer the phone but say nothing. Just take the phone off the hook and stay perfectly silent.

As I understand it, autodialers test for a responder before they forward the call to an operator. Calls cost money. So if the autodialer tests that a connection was made but no human was reached, and it happens enough times, it stops calling, cause it's costing $ to make a dead call.

I will definitely try this. These calls annoy the heck out of me.

**Palooka** · 09-10-2009, 01:35 AM

Originally Posted by Greebo

Another thing you can do, if the house is relatively quiet. Answer the phone but say nothing. Just take the phone off the hook and stay perfectly silent.

As I understand it, autodialers test for a responder before they forward the call to an operator. Calls cost money. So if the autodialer tests that a connection was made but no human was reached, and it happens enough times, it stops calling, cause it's costing $ to make a dead call.

Good info.

**Greebo** · 09-10-2009, 06:07 AM

One other thing that I believe has seriously reduced the number of calls we get...no credit cards.

We're no longer on the mailing lists that the CC companies sell to outsiders or hand over to internal departments to solicit.

**CrazyHomemaker** · 09-10-2009, 06:44 AM

I LOVE these calls! I don't usually know who they're from. I just hang up when I'm busy. Otherwise, I wait for a spiel and then hang up on them. They always call at dinner time or just before 9 pm, when they are supposed to stop calling. We're on the 'do not call' list and this has reduced calls greatly. If I'm really cheeky, then I ask them questions back like 'what is your home phone number so I can call you back?' Answer 'uh...I can't give that out.' 'Why not? You called me?' I've also tucked the receiver under the couch pillow and let them ramble. After 10 minutes, I check to see if they're there. Usually not.