Slimeballs Getting Smarter

It is with considerable regret that I note that the slimeball companies that phone do-not-call numbers with unwanted, pre-recorded messages seem to be getting smarter: at least the one that called today, with a pre-recorded message from "Heather" offering lower credit card rates, had enough sense to block its calling number, making them much more difficult to report to the Federal Trade Commission.

In past the same recording has come from 1-407-207-0820, but there's no indication it's the same number; I assume these slimes move quickly from one base to another to stay one step ahead of the law. If you get a call with a number identified, be sure to go to 800notes.com - chances are good they're already compiling information about the caller.

I did have the very small satisfaction of summoning a live telemarketer (by pressing "1" of course), who told me that this was the "resolution center," but who hung up immediately when it became clear that I was simply asking who was calling wth the offer. Can't have that information out there or we might get shut down, right?

So at least I have the satisfaction of (a) having wasted the time of the aforementioned telemarketer, and (b) knowing that the live connection probably cost the company at least a few cents. It's a poor substitute, I suppose, for putting the slimeballs out of business, but we take what we can get. I find it hard to believe they really can make money this way, but perhaps anyone stupid enough to respond to them would be considered their legitimate prey.