Monday, October 31, 2005

Oct 31 6:26pm: "Jerry Lee" with Amerifirst Financial

More mortgage bullshit. He tried to extract information from me. He claimed to know my name and address and phone number. I asked him if "Amerifirst Financial" called me before. He said no. I didn't check until after the call was over. It appears that "James" from Amerifirst Financial called on Oct 1.

I asked him why he didn't already have the information that he was trying to extract from me, as some of the telemarketers calling already have some of that information, and some of the junk mail I get every day has some of that information. He didn't have an answer, and tried to extract that information from me again. I asked what makes his outfit different than the other telemarketers that call me every day. He responded by trying to extract information from me. I said I wouldn't tell him for free.

It looks like average mortgage rates are going up these days. I hope that a corresponding drop in telemarketing will be forthcoming.

Oct 31: Answering machine spam: Anonymous mortgage company: Recording of anonymous man

This recording has called on Sept 26, 27, 28, on Oct 3 twice, and on Oct 31.

"Hello, I'm calling you in an effort to move your loan into our processing department. We have a lender that would like to preapprove you for a 1.25 percent rate on a 30 year mortgage. Please press 1 now so we can connect you to your loan officer. Please press 2 now if you wish to be removed from our system."

Saturday, October 29, 2005

Oct 29: Answering machine spam: Recording of Jarod with anonymous satellite tv company

"Hi. This is Jarod. Like you already know, the cable company in your area is raising their rates again. Your name came up to receive a complete satellite system for free. Your new system comes with digital receivers. It's free professional installation. Of course, you'll get your local channels, sports, news, family, and specialty programs. Press 1 now, and we'll set you up with 25 free movie channels for the first 3 months. Oh, and by the way, if you press 1 now, our first 100 callers receive a free dvd player with their new satellite system."

If I were to believe telemarketer bullshit, cable companies raise their rates every few days. Well, maybe they do. At least they don't have telemarketing recordings calling me every few days. And satellite tv companies probably raise their rates just as often as cable companies.

Friday, October 28, 2005

Oct 28: Answering machine spam: Recording of William Harrison with "the financial department"

This recording has now called on the Sept 2, 6, 20, 21, 22, 29, Oct 12, 13, 25 and 28.

"Hello. This is William Harrison in the financial department? I'm following up with you on your current loan? Based on your payment history, you've been preselected for a lower interest rate? Possibly as low as 1% on your current mortgage? Please press 1 to speak to a loan specialist? Again, please press 1 to speak to a loan specialist. Or press 2 to be removed from our list."

Thursday, October 27, 2005

Oct 27 6:14pm: Neil with anonymous mortgage company

Unfortunately, I forgot to ask what company he represented.

He said something about me being qualified for a lower payment. He said he had my address, and along with my name and phone number, he said that was all. He was lying, because he later came up with a name of a lender, and then he said that was all. He was lying again, because he came up with a loan date, and he said that was all the information he had. He was lying again, because he later said all this information came from a title company. I asked what title company it was. He said TyCor, or something like that. I said I never heard of TyCor. He hung up abruptly after that.

Oct 26: Answering machine spam: Anonymous satellite tv company: Recording of anonymous man

This recording has now called on Sept 28 and Oct 26.

"Are you tired of paying too much for cable tv? If so, then I have great news. You've been selected to receive a complete digital satellite system for free. You are going to receive America's top premier channels. 25 channels of HBO and Showtime and Cinemax for all less than $37 a month. Your free satellite system comes with digital receivers and professional installation. Of course, you will get your local channels, sports, news, kids, and specialty programs. We're also going to give you your first month of programming free. To take advantage of this great offer, then please press 1 on your phone now. If you sign up today, then we will upgrade your system to a high definition or Tivo for free. Once again, please press 1 on your phone to speak to a live representative. Please press 1."

I've been selected to be called by this recording multiple times. Great news. Just great.

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Oct 25: Answering machine spam at work: Recording of Claire with anonymous satellite tv company

This recording appeared at work and at home on the same day.

This recording has called Sept 15, Oct 19, 21 and 25 twice.

"Hi. This is Claire. Calling to let you know that your cable tv rates are being raised. AGAIN. There is an alternative. I can lower your tv bill to $31 a month with satellite tv. Today you can get a four room digital tv system worth over $1500 delivered and installed. For FREE. This is high definition tv, dvr recording, which is AWESOME. This includes your local networks and all your favorite channels. If you want to lower your tv bill, press one on your phone right now. Once again, to talk to an agent, press one right now."

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Oct 25 6:47pm: Winston with American Mutual

He was more forthcoming with answering my questions than any other telemarketer.

They have my name, phone number, address, names of lenders, at least one loan date, and a number for an interest rate.

They get this information from banks and title companies. They get the information from banks in return for getting people to take out new loans. I asked, if people lower their interest rates, the banks would make less money, so why are they doing that? The answer seems to be that most people actually borrow more money, doing "cash-out" or "debt consolidation". Evidently, giving out information about their borrowers makes the banks more money than keeping that information private.

He said their company targets people who financially struggling, since banks require excellent credit. I asked if their information about me indicated that I was financially struggling. He said no. I asked if their computer profile of me indicated that it was likely that I was financially struggling. Their computer did decide to call me, after all. I think he managed to evade answering that.

He said they call people who have excellent payment history. I asked if their information showed whether I had an excellent payment history. Evidently, their records do not say whether I do or do not have an excellent payment history.

Oct 25 6:35pm: "Nick Anderson" with Dish Network

He tried to sell something that costs $31.99 a month. I didn't understand most of his blabbering. There was this movie package that consisted of blah blah blah and blah blah blah, which were apparently movie channels. I guess he's just another offshore telemarketer whose speech is difficult for someone accustomed to American English to understand. He hung up rather than explain what blah blah blah and blah blah blah are.

Oct 25: Answering machine spam: Recording of William Harrison with "the financial department"

This recording has now called on the Sept 2, 6, 20, 21, 22, 29, Oct 12, 13 and 25.

"Hello. This is William Harrison in the financial department? I'm following up with you on your current loan? Based on your payment history, you've been preselected for a lower interest rate? Possibly as low as 1% on your current mortgage? Please press 1 to speak to a loan specialist? Again, please press 1 to speak to a loan specialist. Or press 2 to be removed from our list."

Oct 25: Answering machine spam: Recording of Claire with anonymous satellite tv company

This recording has called Sept 15, Oct 19, 21 and 25.

"Hi. This is Claire. Calling to let you know that your cable tv rates are being raised. AGAIN. There is an alternative. I can lower your tv bill to $31 a month with satellite tv. Today you can get a four room digital tv system worth over $1500 delivered and installed. For FREE. This is high definition tv, dvr recording, which is AWESOME. This includes your local networks and all your favorite channels. If you want to lower your tv bill, press one on your phone right now. Once again, to talk to an agent, press one right now."

Monday, October 24, 2005

Oct 24: Answering machine spam: Recording of Steven with anonymous mortgage company

"Hi. This is Steven, and I'm calling you in an effort to move your loan into our processing department. Uh, we do have a lender that would like to preapprove for a 1.25% rate on a 30 year mortgage. Please press 1 now and we will connect you with your loan officer. Or, press 2 now if you wish to be removed from the system."

What's with all these recordings not even identifying the company name? Perhaps they are shady operations that do not want to be recognized. Or, perhaps, they do not want to be associated with deceptive telemarketing campaigns, and only reveal themselves to suckers who fall for their bullshit.

Oct 21: Answering machine spam at work: Recording of Claire with anonymous satellite tv company

This recording has called Sept 15, Oct 19 and 21.

"Hi. This is Claire. Calling to let you know that your cable tv rates are being raised. AGAIN. There is an alternative. I can lower your tv bill to $31 a month with satellite tv. Today you can get a four room digital tv system worth over $1500 delivered and installed. For FREE. This high definition tv, dvr recording, which is AWESOME. This includes your local networks and all your favorite channels. If you want to lower your tv bill, press one on your phone right now. Once again, to talk to an agent, press one right now."

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Oct 20 8:34pm: Recording of Scott Grant with Century Financial Group

The recording of "Scott Grant" with "Century Financial Group" has called Sept 13, 20, 21, 22, 30, and Oct 20.

The recording of "Jennifer Green" with "Century Financial Group" has called Oct 5.

"Hi. This is Scott Grant at Century Financial Group at 866-828-9875. I'm following you up on your mortgage application. We want to get you preapproved on our 30 year 1.95% mortgage program. So please call me so we can get this loan in the process and get this loan funded as soon as possible. Once again, this is Scott Grant at Century Financial Group at 866-828-9875. Thanks a lot. Have a great day. Bye bye."

Typical telemarketer lies. There is no mortgage application to follow up on. There is no loan to get "in the process".

Oct 20: Answering machine spam: Recording of Tina with "mortgage specialists"

The recording of Ben with "mortgage specialists" has called Sept 2, 6, 7, 15, 28, Oct 3 and 10 with a similar message.

"Hi. This is Tina with mortgage specialists. And this is the message that your current lender does not want you to hear. We are the only lender in your state that can offer you rates as low at 1%. With absolutely no points. That is, regardless of credit history, past bankruptcy, or income verification. Even if you've been turned down recently by another lender, we can finance you. We can also consolidate all of your bills into one low payment. With the benefits of a tax write-off. Get unlimited cash out for any reason. Press 1 now to speak with a mortgage consultant. Or press 2 to be removed from the marketing list."

The "only lender" in my state that can offer those rates? Then who else is calling my phone number with similar recordings? Is there only one lender spewing out multiple prerecorded messages using different voices and different virtually anonymous organizations like "mortgage specialists" or "the mortgage department" or "the financial department" about 1% loans? Or is it just more telemarketer lies?

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Oct 19: Answering machine spam at work: Anonymous satellite television company: Recording of Claire

This recording has called Sept 15 and Oct 19.

"Hi. This is Claire. Calling to let you know that your cable tv rates are being raised. AGAIN. There is an alternative. I can lower your tv bill to $31 a month with satellite tv. Today you can get a four room digital tv system worth over $1500 delivered and installed. For FREE. This high definition tv, dvr recording, which is AWESOME. This includes your local networks and all your favorite channels. If you want to lower your tv bill, press one on your phone right now. Once again, to talk to an agent, press one right now."

Calling me with the same bullshit recording multiple times doesn't mean it's not still bullshit.

Oct 19: Answering machine spam: Recording of Nicole with "health services"

"Hi. This is Nicole with health services. This is a message that major health care providers don't want you to hear. Did you know that with as little as $4 a day, your entire family could be covered, with full medical, dental, vision, and prescription health care benefits? Regardless of age or medical history, you'll be able to take advantage of this program. Only a limited amount of funding is available for this program, and only a small amount of households will be able to take advantage of this special program. So press 1 to be connected to a health care representative. Or press 3 to end this call and be removed from our calling list."

This program has limited funding? And it's only available a small amount of households? Then why call my phone number? Sounds like more deceptive telemarketer bullshit to me.

Oct 19: Answering machine spam: Recording of Michelle with "the mortgage department"

This recording has called on Oct 6 and 19.

"Hi. This is Michelle with the mortgage department. Based on your current payment history, we have preapproved you for a new interest rate, as low as 1%. Your confirmation number is 0000. To take advantage of the lowest rates in the state of California with absolutely no points and no fees, press the number 1 key now. Or press 2 to be removed from the marketing list."

Monday, October 17, 2005

Oct 17: Answering machine spam: Recording of Ann Field with OCM

More mortgage garbage.

"Hi. This is Ann Field with OCM. Congratulations. You've been preapproved for our one time mortgage rate reduction program. You can also use your preapproval to take up to $75000 cash out and put it in your pocket for any reason at all. To find out more about your preapproval, please press 1 now to speak to a representative. Please press 1 now and congratulations. Please press 1 now."

Saturday, October 15, 2005

Oct 15 4:02pm: "Stephanie" from Anaheim Hills Funding

Since she wouldn't give up, I tied her up for over 30 minutes. Apparently, they get their information about me from banks. She wouldn't tell me if they get that information for free or why banks give them that information. She said that any other company would only offer 6.5% or higher rates on 30 year fixed rate loans and that they could offer better than 5.5%. So, the national average for 30 year fixed rate loans is 5.59%. So I asked how that could be. I guess it's standard telemarketer practice to make fraudulent statements.

Apparently, the room is filled with about 50 telemarketers, and she typically calls 900 people a day. If that's one minute per call, that's 15 hours.

By refusing to give her information for free, she become no longer sure that I even even have property or a mortgage. She then asked if I wanted to buy property in California. I answered that it would depend on things like price, location, and so on. Out of that, she seemed to get the impression that I was actively looking to buy property in California and wanted to know what kind of loan I would want for buying that property.

At one point, she repeatedly asked if I was interested in doing business with them. Eventually, I said that I was not interested. Perhaps she though I said I was interested, because she kept talking to me for at least 5 minutes after that.


A few hours later, it appears that "Anaheim Hills Funding" telemarketers have been calling my answering machine. Perhaps they are trying to harass me now. One of the messages consisted of phone tones. Maybe they were trying to access my answering machine. Stunts like these strengthen my opinion that offshore telemarketers are shady and fraudulent operations.


Oct 17: It seems that these telemarketers are still calling my answering machine. Unethical practices from unethical businesses.

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Oct 13 6:33pm: Steve with Americhoice

Another mortgage company. He's the first mortgage telemarketer that said they knew what company handled my last mortgage. None of the other mortgage telemarketers that called me admitted to having that information. However, lots of junk mail that I get has that information. I just responded minimally to what he said, and he would drone on. Finally, he asked if I was interested, and I said I wasn't. Then, he droned on for a few more minutes. Then he asked if I was interested again. I said I wasn't, and then he finally hung up. This call lasted about 10 minutes.

Oct 13: Answering machine spam: Recording of William Harrison with "the financial department"

This recording has now called on the Sept 2, 6, 20, 21, 22, 29, Oct 12 and 13.

"Hello. This is William Harrison in the financial department? I'm following up with you on your current loan? Based on your payment history, you've been preselected for a lower interest rate? Possibly as low as 1% on your current mortgage? Please press 1 to speak to a loan specialist? Again, please press 1 to speak to a loan specialist. Or press 2 to be removed from our list."

Oct 12: Answering machine spam: Recording of William Harrison with "the financial department"

This recording has now called on the Sept 2, 6, 20, 21, 22, 29, and Oct 12.

"Hello. This is William Harrison in the financial department? I'm following up with you on your current loan? Based on your payment history, you've been preselected for a lower interest rate? Possibly as low as 1% on your current mortgage? Please press 1 to speak to a loan specialist? Again, please press 1 to speak to a loan specialist. Or press 2 to be removed from our list."

I don't know what his "following up on your current loan" bullshit is supposed to mean. I'll just assume it's the apparently standard telemarketer practice of using deceptive language.

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Oct 11 7:25pm: Recording of Ann with some satellite tv company

This is probably the same recording that called Sept 6, 17 and 28.

It started with the fraudulent phrase, "This is Ann calling you back about blah blah blah". I don't know what they mean by calling me "back". I never called them.

Oct 11 7:21pm: Abandoned call

Monday, October 10, 2005

Oct 10: Answering machine spam: Recording of Ben with "mortgage specialists"

This recording has called on Sept 2, 6, 7, 15, 28, Oct 3 and 10.

"Hi. This is Ben with Mortgage Specialists, and I'm calling regarding a limited opportunity to save tens of thousands off your new or existing home loan. We are the only lender in the state of California that can offer you rates as low as 1% with absolutely no points and no fees. Regardless of credit history, past bankruptcy, or income verification, even if you've been turned down by another lender recently, we can help. If you're ready to consolidate all your bills into one low payment with the benefits of a tax write-off, or just want unlimited cash out for any reason, press 1 to speak with a mortgage consultant now. Or press 2 to be removed from our marketing list."

"Limited opportunity"? Their stupid autodialer needs to be limited. It's called me at least seven times.

"Unlimited cash out"? That sounds fraudulent to me.

Sunday, October 09, 2005

Oct 9 6:11pm: Abandoned call

Thursday, October 06, 2005

Oct 6: Answering machine spam: Recording of Michelle with "the mortgage department"

"Hi. This is Michelle with the mortgage department. Based on your current payment history, we have preapproved you for a new interest rate, as low as 1%. Your confirmation number is 0000. To take advantage of the lowest rates in the state of California with absolutely no points and no fees, press the number 1 key now. Or press the number 2 to be removed from the marketing list."

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Oct 5: Answering machine spam: Jennifer Green with Century Financial Group

Recordings from "Century Financial Group" have called Sept 13, 20, 21, 22, 30, and Oct 5.

"Hello. This is Jennifer Green with Century Financial Group at 888 547 4762. I'm calling to complete your loan application and I'd like to get you preapproved for a 1.95% 30 year program. Um. Please call me at your earliest convenience, toll free, at 888 547 4762. Again, this is Jennifer Green with Century Financial Group."

What a fraud. I've never started any loan application with them.

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

Oct 4 8:12pm: Abandoned call

Oct 4 7:01pm: Abandoned call

Maybe somebody is trying to harass me. I thought the FTC required abandoned calls to be no more than 3% of calls answered by humans. It seems to me like I get more than 3%. The log here will show whether it is or not.

Oct 4 6:50pm: Abandoned call

Oct 4: Answering machine spam: Recording of Bill Tesser with "Capital End Financial"

More mortgage crap. The recording said, "There is absolutely no catch." Any fraud can say that, and there was nothing in the recording to convince me that it's not a fraud.

Oct 4: Answering machine spam: Cardholder Services: Recording of Rachel

This is the same deceptive recording that called Sept 15. Clearly, the statement "consider this your final notice" is a fraud.

Monday, October 03, 2005

Oct 3 7:42pm: Roxanne Thomas with AC Services

Soliciting for sending things to soldiers in Iraq. I politely declined. I didn't know if they were a scam or not, but I didn't bring that up.

Oct 3 6:13pm: Recording of Caitlin with some travel bullshit

I didn't catch most of what the recording spewed out. I heard Bahamas and press 9 to talk to an operator and press 8 to be removed from their marketing list. I pressed 9 and put the phone down. The line was probably on hold until it made the this number has been disconnected noise.

Oct 3: Answering machine spam: Anonymous mortgage company: Recording of anonymous man

This is the second time today that this recording has called. The first time was around 10am, the second time around 2:40pm. This recording has called on Sept 26, 27, 28, and twice on Oct 3.

"Hello, I'm calling you in an effort to move your loan into our processing department. We have a lender that would like to preapprove you for a 1.25 percent rate on a 30 year loan. Please press 1 so we can connect you to your loan officer. Please press 2 if you wish to be removed from our system."

Oct 3: Answering machine spam: Recording of Carrie Sanders in Las Vegas

Some garbage about a $99 package for a trip to Las Vegas.

Oct 3: Answering machine spam: Recording of Ben with "mortgage specialists"

This recording has called on Sept 2, 6, 7, 15, 28 and Oct 3.

Oct 3: Answering machine spam: Anonymous mortgage company: Recording of anonymous man

This recording has called on Sept 26, 27, 28, and Oct 3. "Hello, I'm calling you in an effort to move your loan into our processing department. We have a lender that would like to preapprove you for a 1.25 percent rate on a 30 year loan. Please press 1 so we can connect you to your loan officer. Please press 2 if you wish to be removed from our system."

Saturday, October 01, 2005

Oct 1 1:10pm: James with Amerifirst Financial

He said he thinks I have a mortgage because 90% of the people in my city have a mortgage. I wonder where that number came from. I think it's bogus.