I am swimming in spam

I am swimming in spam. Every where I go, every direction I look, every medium I deal with, I am being spammed. Spam in my email box I can handle–my spam filter manages that well enough that I can ignore the problem. It’s all of the other spam that is driving me insane.

Let’s start with blog spam. I run Movable Type, and I have a PageRank of 6 or so, so like everyone else with a good PageRank, I’m being bombarded with blog comment spam. It’s not uncommon to wake up in the morning and find that 100 ads for Viagra or online poker or something less savory have managed to make it through my filters and pollute my blog. From looking at my logs, I’ve been had over 7,000 comments posted on this blog, with only 150 or so being legitimate, and around 6,000 blocked by MT-Blacklist.

Then there’s phone spam–the Do Not Call list has actually worked pretty well for my home phone number, but I’ve been besieged by calls from (905)-482-1663 for the past couple weeks. I assume that they’re a telemarketer, but I’ve never been able to figure out what they want–even when I’ve picked the phone up on the first ring, they just hang up on me. Google suggests that that number has done work for Bank of America and the Kerry campaign and pissed off a number of other people; it’s not just me. After a week of this, I had Asterisk blacklist them, so I don’t have to listen to them hang up on me 2 or 3 times per day. Yesterday, they escalated–they called my cell phone 3 times last night. I sent a Do Not Call list complaint today, but I doubt it’ll take. I’d probably be better off using one of the other laws on the books regarding telemarketing calls to cell phones or percentages of hangups, but it’s probably not worth the hassle.

My work phone isn’t immune, either–I’ve been getting 2 or 3 calls per week from random business magazines, wanting to give me free subscriptions or renewals. Frankly, I receive so many magazines that I can’t keep track of which ones I’m already getting–95% of them go straight into the recycling bin without ever being opened. I really don’t want more–my mailbox is too full as it is. Last week, I got two calls from Information Week and had to hang up on them–they wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. The week before, it was a call, a fax, and two emails from Network World. This morning, it was eWeek.

Thinking about all of these–the blog spam, the telemarketer spam, and the magazine renewal spam–the common thread is that none of them are actually trying to sell me anything. The blog spam is trying to increase their own PageRank. The magazine spam is trying to increase their circulation size and advertising rates. The telemarketer might be trying to sell me something, but since they refuse to actually talk to me, I can’t really tell. Largely, they’re all bothering me because they can sell something that I have (eyeballs, highly ranked blog) to others, and they don’t care that they’re wasting my time and money in the process.

Posted by Scott Laird Fri, 17 Dec 2004 18:52:52 GMT

Read full article 165 comments


Comments

  1. Nick 3 days later:

    Yeah that 905 482 1663 keeps hitting me too. The Do Not Call list dosent seem to working too well I guess after signing up for them. Ever figure out a way to stop them?

  2. Scott Laird 3 days later:

    By and large, the DNC list has worked well for me–I was getting 3-4 telemarketing calls per day, every day, before, and now it’s down to maybe 1 per week, not counting this 905 number.

    As far as stopping the 905 number–it’s really easy. I’m using Asterisk as home for all of my phone needs. Asterisk is basically a Linux-based PBX system. I just told it to blacklist any incoming calls from that number. So now, they can call, but none of the phones in the house ring, and they never even get shunted to voicemail. It completely ignores them. I have to look in my log files to even notice that they called.

  3. David 13 days later:

    I’ve gotten calls from 905-482-1663 and this time I actually got a live person. It was someone from Fleet VISA offering me a $20 gas card if I would sign up for one of their protection plans.

  4. Scott Laird 13 days later:

    Great. After getting daily calls to both my home number and my cell phone, I finally called them and asked them to stop calling. They wouldn’t tell me who they were calling for (most likely, the operator didn’t have access to that information), but they stopped calling.

  5. Joe 18 days later:

    I got called from these folks that dont under stand the word NO if you want to write to the BBB or your local FBI, these folks Fleet VISA is in

    Richmond Hill Ontario Canada L4B 3A8 WERTHEIM CRT Unit # 12 905-482-1663

    i called thier phone carrier and complained here is the name of thier carrier

    905 482 THORNHILL Ontario CALL-NET COMMUNICATIONS, INC. CLEC

    CyberGuard Investigations

  6. Mike about 1 month later:

    I’ve been getting calls from that 905 number and also from 704-795-1235 and everytime they call and my answering machine picks up they hang up on me.

  7. STEVE about 1 month later:

    I gota call from 704 795-1235 and someone said..bitch pick up the phone..this crap should be illegal.

  8. Shawn about 1 month later:

    Thanks for the postings. I also have been getting hang-ups from the (905) number. I filed a complaint with the DNC. I’m thinking class action suit. All the time and energy they steal should have some accountability. Telemarketers really are a virus.

  9. Inder about 1 month later:

    I also get calls from 704 795 1235. I haven’t yet picked it up and they haven’t left a message yet. How does one figure out who they are?

  10. Scott Laird about 1 month later:

    You can try calling the number and see who answers. Alternately, wait for them to call and ask. Besides that (and Google, which you’ve obviously tried), I’m not sure what you can do, if anything.

  11. Joe 2 months later:

    I started receiving calls from 704-795-1235 they post as a collection agency working for US cellular. the phone is provided by Concord telephone Co NC email bservice@ctc.net last time I spoke with someone there I asked of them not to call me. They asked me for my home and personal info which I refuse to provide.

  12. css 2 months later:

    well here’s a new twist on this one…

    i have received at least 15-16 calls from this number in last 24 hours all leaving no messages

    finally i had my boyfriend answer and it was from Mayor of Los Angeles James Hahn’s reelection campaign - go figure

  13. Amber 2 months later:

    I recieved a call from 704 795 1235 today…. any answers as to whom it is?

  14. russell 2 months later:

    I got a call from the 704 # tonight. They asked for me, my son handed me the phone, they hung up. What could they possibly be getting out of doing this?

  15. Anonimous 2 months later:

    913-219-7563 is tha cell phone # to one of their reps Lets see how they like to get call from their victims

  16. Anonimous 2 months later:

    913-219-7563 is tha cell phone # to one of their reps Lets see how they like to get call from their victims

  17. Joanie 2 months later:

    I have been receiving 5 to 7 calls per day from (704) 795-1235. If they are indeed a collection agency for US Cellular, why would they target me? I don’t even own a cell phone. How do I stop these calls? They even call in the middle of the night. By the way, the Do Not Call List isn’t working for me at all.

  18. Scott Laird 2 months later:

    You can try dialing the number and see what you get; it might be best to check online and verify that the area code belongs to a US or Canadian location–the Caribbean shares the same basic dialing plan as the US, but it can get really expensive to call there.

    In my experience, most of these calls are from outsourced call centers; they might be calling for a bunch of different companies . So, person A might be getting a collection call from a cell company while person B is getting an up-sell on some service from their credit card company.

    The one time I had to do it, I called them and asked them to stop calling me. They were polite and I never heard from them again.

    Having said that, I’m now getting swamped by calls from 203-907-0452. I have no idea who they are, but I’ll post something if I figure it out.

  19. Marc 3 months later:

    We get constant calls from 905-482-1663. 2 to 3 times a day all hours.

    I found the Company name and filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (USA) If anyone wants to file a complaint, the company is:

    Omega Direct Responses Corporate Headquarters 905-482-1663 2 East Beaver Creek Unit 2 Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 2N3

  20. Marc 3 months later:

    Follow up to constant telemarketing calls from 905-482-1663 Omega Direct Responses Corporate Headquarters 905-482-1663 2 East Beaver Creek Unit 2 Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 2N3

    If you wish lodge a complaint against this Omega Direct Responses their phone carrier is:

    Call-Net Enterprises Inc. and Sprint Canada Inc.

    BY MAIL: Call-Net Enterprises Inc. and Sprint Canada Inc. Head Office Atria II – 2235 Sheppard Avenue East Toronto, Ontario M2J 5G1

    BY PHONE: Head Office: 1-800-500-7741

    Customer Service: Home: 1-800-980-5464 Small office/home office: 1-800-980-5464 Business: 1-800-496-4401

    Wholesale/Carrier services: 1-888-466-8420 (in Canada) 1-888-366-4662 (in the U.S.)

    BY EMAIL:
    Home & small office/home office webmail@sprint-canada.com
    Business: webleads@sprint-canada.com
    Carrier services: cncs.leads@cncs.ca

  21. Marc 3 months later:

    Zap telemarketers off your phone and answering machine Telemarketers are right up there with spammers!!!

    Found this website that has the “no longer in service” touch tones in a wav file. Try it and see if it works.

    Here’s the link to the site:

    http://www.k3pgp.org/telezap.htm

  22. Marc 3 months later:

    Zap telemarketers off your phone and answering machine Telemarketers are right up there with spammers!!!

    Found this website that has the “no longer in service” touch tones in a wav file. Try it and see if it works.

    Here’s the link to the site:

    http://www.k3pgp.org/telezap.htm

  23. Rosa 3 months later:

    Just wanted to tell everyone that 905-482-1663 has also been calling my house and the area code traces back to Toronto, Canada. Unfortunately the “Do Not Call” service only covers in the U.S.

  24. Rosa 3 months later:

    Just wanted to tell everyone that 905-482-1663 has also been calling my house and the area code traces back to Toronto, Canada. Unfortunately the “Do Not Call” service only covers in the U.S.

  25. hanny 3 months later:

    I get a million calls a day from the 704 number, I never answer. They’re located in Concord, NC. It’s an unlisted number.

  26. Wild 3 months later:

    Hmm, that’s funny. I get a zillion calls a day from 704-795-1235 and sometimes they just let it ring 3 or 4 times but they do this over and over. I got so mad I finally answered and it was Aspire Visa wanting me to sign up for a credit card.

  27. Smiles 3 months later:

    Thanks for posting this information. If these calls persist, I’ll file a compliant

  28. Linda 3 months later:

    Re: 905-482-1663

    Finally got a person to talk to me when I answered the phone this morning (usually just get dead-air or hang-up) and they wanted to upgrade my Cable TV package. They were calling on behalf of COMCAST. I told them not to call again and will contact COMCAST directly to tell them how annoying this telemarkering firm is.

    Maybe this will solve the mystery for others on the COMCAST network that have yet to get a live person on the phone. How it helps.

  29. grandpha 4 months later:

    same problem 704-795-1235 n. carolina call. i answered and they say they’r fom aspire visa.

  30. Lori 4 months later:

    I’m getting calls from the 704 # as well. Is there any way to get them to stop?!?!

  31. Lori 4 months later:

    I’m getting calls from the 704 # as well. Is there any way to get them to stop?!?!

  32. Scott Laird 4 months later:

    The easiest way is to call them back at that number and ask them to stop calling. It worked for me and the 905 number that started the thread. If that fails, then try using the do-not-call list enforcement page at https://www.donotcall.gov/Complain/ComplainCheck.aspx

    That assumes that you’re on the do not call list, and that you’re in the US.

    If that fails, try talking to your telco.

  33. Sandra 5 months later:

    I get calls daily from this 704-795-1235 and everytime I call it back all I get is a answering machine. So I gave them my number and told them to remove it from their list. Next step is to call BBB.

  34. Dela 5 months later:

    I am also receiving these calls, from 704-795-1235. How do I get it to stop?

  35. Beverly 5 months later:

    Just wanted to comment on the 704-795-1235 calls. My company has been getting dozens of calls a day from this number. I couldn’t find out anything using the reverse directory except that the number was out of NC. I googled it and your site was the only hit I got. In our case they are trying to get us to take a free subscription to Product Design Magazine. I googled that and found a site for the magazine and its publishers. I sent everyone on their contact list an email telling them that if they were responsible for this telemarketing they’d better stop harrassing us or I was going to report them to the BBB and the authorities. We’ll see what happens.

  36. Beverly 5 months later:

    Well, I already got a response to my email.

    “Thank you for your email. I have forwarded your number to the vendors making the calls and added your number to the REED Do Not Call List. The calls should stop within the next few hours. Thank you, Kyle Orr”

    Here’s hoping it really works.

  37. Adam 5 months later:

    I work on the switchboard for my company and have been bombarded with calls from the 704-795-1235 number. I asked them to stop calling also but they still do. I also called it back and got the message machine ” box full”, of course.

  38. Veronica 5 months later:

    Okay….I too am getting these annoying calls from the 704#….and also 402-254-2304. They never answer when I DO pick up, nor do they leave a message when I don’t pick up. The 704# has called…looking at the caller ID, 4 times today, 5 times yesterday and 3 times the day before that. I yelled obscenities into the phone when they called today after being hung up on twice. Then I remembered having one of those AIR PARTY HORNS….you know…the ones that come in the little spray can with the horn built right into the nozzle? That’s what I’m going to do the next time they call… I’ve been impatiently waiting and wouldnt you know.. they havent called!!!!

  39. Veronica 5 months later:

    Okay….I too am getting these annoying calls from the 704#….and also 402-254-2304. They never answer when I DO pick up, nor do they leave a message when I don’t pick up. The 704# has called…looking at the caller ID, 4 times today, 5 times yesterday and 3 times the day before that. I yelled obscenities into the phone when they called today after being hung up on twice. Then I remembered having one of those AIR PARTY HORNS….you know…the ones that come in the little spray can with the horn built right into the nozzle? That’s what I’m going to do the next time they call… I’ve been impatiently waiting and wouldnt you know.. they havent called!!!!

  40. John S 5 months later:

    I am getting the same annoying calls from the 704 # I have finnaly just turned the phone ringer off and told anyone who needs to contact me to call my cell this is BS, I pay my phone bill every month only to be harassed and annoyed to where I won’t even answer the phone unless the Caller I D says a name I know. I think I will try what Beverly did. I will let everyone know today is a holiday and these guys are still calling. Don’t they eat or sleep.

  41. eddy 5 months later:

    The (704) number has been calling my girlfriend daily and it’s starting to get annoying…

  42. Beverly 5 months later:

    It worked - if you can get them to talk to you and find out who they’re telemarketing for, you can contact the company and threaten them. This was the 704 # and they did speak when we answered, always asking for different people in our company. I found out they were working for some engineering design magazine, so I googled the magazine name, found their website and emailed them. They put us on the do not call list. We went from over a dozen calls a day, to three, then one and now they’ve stopped.

  43. Carla Tino 5 months later:

    RE: 203-907-0452 - This number is from “Synergy Resources” The person who answered said they were calling on behalf of Wall Street Journal. They said they would put us on their Do Not Call List…we’ll see what happens.

  44. Jackie S 5 months later:

    The 704-795-1235 number has called about 5 times in just the last hour! I’m on the DNC list and everything! Googled and came to this site…called back and got we’re sorry you call can not be compleated as dialed. This bites….any other ideas?

  45. Casey 5 months later:

    Ive been having issues with 704#. If you are bored when they call go to www.ebaumsworld.com and pull up a few of their soundboards. You can mess around with them and pretend your arnold or threaten them as Robert Deniro

  46. Casey 5 months later:

    Ive been having issues with 704#. If you are bored when they call go to www.ebaumsworld.com and pull up a few of their soundboards. You can mess around with them and pretend your arnold or threaten them as Robert Deniro

  47. sick of it 6 months later:

    the 704# really sucks

  48. sick of it 6 months later:

    the 704# really sucks

  49. Farmer 6 months later:

    I think that they should not allow Blocked names for telemarketers. I have gotten the 704# three times in the past week… everytime my answering machine picks up, all I get is a hang up…If they are trying to sell something, why don’t they talk to us?

  50. William McMullin 6 months later:

    The calls I’ve been receiving from 704-795-1235 were trying to get me to re-sign up for BMG Music.

  51. Jeff Miller 6 months later:

    i am getting the calls from 704-795-1235. i never answer and they never leave a message. a collection agency? time shares? what? anyone know how to find out?

  52. Jeff Miller 6 months later:

    i am getting the calls from 704-795-1235. i never answer and they never leave a message. a collection agency? time shares? what? anyone know how to find out?

  53. Tom Troyer 6 months later:

    I’m getting swamped by calls from 203-907-0452 here at work…any idea why I’m getting these calls? I noticed a previous note indicated another person was getting hit by the same number and thought others might know something.

  54. Randy 6 months later:

    I called the 704 number about 30 times today and finally someone answered. She stated she was the customer service rep for a company called Epic Star or Epic Xtar. She said they were calling for one of their clients and said she would put me on their DO Not CALL list. Don’t know if it will work but after 30 minutes of calling, they did answer.

  55. Randy 6 months later:

    I called the 704 number about 30 times today and finally someone answered. She stated she was the customer service rep for a company called Epic Star or Epic Xtar. She said they were calling for one of their clients and said she would put me on their DO Not CALL list. Don’t know if it will work but after 30 minutes of calling, they did answer.

  56. Randy 6 months later:

    The 704 # is from a company called EPIXTAR.

  57. Brian 6 months later:

    go to this site and read about good ‘ol epixtar

  58. Scott Laird 6 months later:

    Wow, we finally know who they are. Thanks Randy for digging up the name. Brian–thanks for the link. Epixtar sounds even worse then I’d expected, after dealing with 50-ish calls from them.

  59. Brian 6 months later:

    hey everyone call this number 305-503-8600 and ask for steve silverman. I have done some research on the company and found the number for their high headquarters in Florida. This guy is some assistant that I have yet to talk to, if someone gets something out of him e-mail me or post it here.

    These guys are out of control and flirting on the border with harrassment. I hope something can be done.

    Thanks Scott for starting this Blog.

    Brian

  60. Annoyedtoshit 6 months later:

    I just contacted epixtar regarding 704-795-1235. I called an 800 number and they gave me 704-795-1228. Call that number and you can be put on the DNC list.

  61. Pete 6 months later:

    I got a call from the 704-795-1235 # today and they asked for my wife by first name?

  62. Nathi 6 months later:

    I got a call today from the 704# and they left a very creepy message. Not that i understood it or anything, because the person sounded drunk , but it said something like “I am ready for it, i know it was you, you kept me from doing someting, and that means you are ready”. I talked to my mother and she said that they called earlier this week asking for my Dad (they called him by his 1st name). Should i even try to put our # on the DNC list?

  63. Carol 6 months later:

    I get 3-4 calls from 905-482-1663 everyday but I don’t answer. When my machine picks up, they hang up.

  64. Isaac 6 months later:

    I just got my cell phone bill. when I opened it I saw a charge for an international call. Upon futher investigation I found a one min charge to the 905# I’ve never heard of this number. I did my home work and found you. I will let you know how it turns out when I dispute the call with cingular.

  65. LEE 7 months later:

    I started getting calls from 704-795-1235 yesterday. I saw that I had a missed call on CID and attempted to call back, the line was busy. A little while later they called again and I answered. I refused to verify who I was because I don’t readily give out such info and when I asked who she was with she refused to answer me and hung up. I also recently started getting calls from 312-895-3406. My credit is in order, so have to be telemarketing. I have never had so many in my life. It’s funny that these started AFTER I registed at DNC.

  66. Lee 7 months later:

    I called the number 704-295-1228 and asked them to stop calling me. She said it could take 30 days, so we shall see.

  67. Kathy 7 months later:

    I just started getting the 905-482-1663 calls every night 2-3 times, usually around 7 - 11 PM PST. 905 is in Canada. What the heck is in Canada? And for me, it’s my cell phone that’s being hit up. Any ideas on how to stop it for a cell phone? Thanks!

  68. apurv_anand@spanners4us.com 7 months later:

    Spam? Who is spamming? I dont see.

  69. apurv_anand@spanners4us.com 7 months later:

    Are you getting spammed? I dont know what it is. Can some one send me how it looks?

  70. apurv_anand@spanners4us.com 7 months later:

    Swimming in Spam? I have no idea. Give me some exp.

  71. test 7 months later:

    test respone

  72. Richie D 7 months later:

    Randy - How did you line up the 704# with Epixtar?

    www.epixtar.com (and their interesting recruitment site www.callcentercareer.com …) Wow! Scary!! This would seem to be a rather sophisticated on/offshore operation…

  73. Voted 11/2/04, no thx to 905-482-1663 7 months later:

    I’ve been inundated by calls from 905-482-1663 for many months and was curious; they get hired for almost anything, not just VISA promos.

    These people were hired by the Ohio Republican Party to phone scads of Ohio Democrats and some other states as well. Message? Vote John Kerry on November 3rd (for non-US folks, that’s the day after the election). The previous week it was that Republicans vote 11/2; Democrats vote November 3rd.

    Unfortunately I no longer have any of those messages on my machine. If anyone does and realizes how damning this is to the RNC, I hope they will contact Rep. John Conyers of Michigan so that he can have even more evidence for the voter-scamming that was done in 2004.

  74. B 7 months later:

    The # (704)795-1235 is a back line hooked @:

    Epixtar Marketing 845 Church St. N. STE-308 Concord,NC. 28025 (704)795-1228

    Corp. headquarters:

    11900 Biscayne Blvd. Miami,FL. 33181 1-800-511-2012

    B

  75. Markus 7 months later:

    Let Expitar VP of Sales & Marketing know how you feel about getting these annoying calls. He can be reachead at 305-503-8600 Ext #1888 Just ask for Jerry Dunne. Or if that isn’t enough contact there CEO Irv Greenman at ext 1111. Let them know just how much you appericate there calls. I know I will.

  76. ratnakar_kamath@spanners4us.com 7 months later:

    ratnakar_kamath@spanners4us.com

  77. GEO 7 months later:

    FYI: In mid July I got this call and it said “Illinois call” I got it again today and it said “Unavailable”. ?????

  78. hakerkatz@yahoo.com 7 months later:

    RE: 312-895-3406

    FYI: In mid July I got this call and it said “Illinois call” I got it again today and it said “Unavailable”. ?????

  79. Ingrid 8 months later:

    Hey there, they are calling my cell phone too, ack! I hate these people!

    Thanks for this blog, Scott.

  80. null 8 months later:

    I keep getting calls from this number, says unknown. No response when I answer and always busy when I try to call back. what is it?

  81. Marty 8 months later:

    Receiving phone calls from 312-895-3406, tried to call back line is always busy.

  82. D Williams 8 months later:

    GET TELEZAPPER! It has WORKED for me. And, I am sure It will work for you. Bought the dang thing this weekend. for a little under 50 bucks All calls. Let me repeat that - - All calls - from these creeps have stopped. I’ve gone from 8 phone calls a day to None Unfortunately, cell phones are still “fair game” if you will. Try it out for a week. I bet you get your sanity back

  83. null 8 months later:

    Merchant Credit Guide is a “collection agency”. Judging from postings by consumers at Ripoffreport.com MCG appears to be a junk debt buyer. Junk Debt Buyers are collection agencies that acquire bad debt. Junk Debt Buyers are also responsible for a large number of debt collection and credit reporting violations of law. For more information on Junk Debt Buyers and their illegal practices visit http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/junk-debt-buyers.html . It also appears from calls that I have gotten from MCG, and posts made by others at ripoffreport.com, that they “fish” for information they don’t have. Calling people asking them for their Social Security Number, address, etc. Never give out personal information. Once when my wife answered the phone MCG was calling asking for me. I wasn’t home . They asked for her name, to verify our address, and even asked her for my Social Security Number. When she asked who they were the person would not provide a company name or give her the reason for the call. Obviously she was smart enough not to provide the information and If wasn’t for caller ID I still couldn’t have known who called. A company that is engaging in this type of activity is questionable at best.

    Below I have provided information on Merchants Credit Guide that I found at the Chicago BBB website where there were multiple complaints filed against the company under 3 different files.

    Merchants Credit Guide 223 W Jackson Blvd Suite 900 Chicago, IL 60606-6993 888-249-4134 312-895-3406 FAX 312-360-3024

    Mr. Daniel Burtis - President Mr. Edwin Burtis - Secretary/treasurer Scott Ross , Compliance Manager

    Additional Phone Numbers (800) 835-0531 (312) 470-2615 (888) 249-1033 (312) 470-2606 (312) 360-3000 (312) 360-3024 This is a link to one of the BBB’s reports on Merchant Credit Guide. http://www.chicago.bbb.org/commonreport.html?bid=12020776

    Here is a link to they many complaints about the company at ripoffreport.com http://www.ripoffreport.com/results.asp?q1=ALL&q4=&q6=&q3=&q2=&q7=&searchtype=0&submit2=Search%21&q5=Merchants+Credit+Guide&submit=Search

    The only way we can stop companies like these is to report their illegal activities to the proper authorities. If you think Merchants Credit Guide was trying to scam you or engaged in illegal activity against you please take the time to file a complaint with the following against the company.

    The Federal Trade Commission https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?ZORGCODE=PU01

    The Illinios Attorney General http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/

    The Chicago Better Business Bureau http://www.chicago.bbb.org/complaintsearch.html

    I hope you find this information helpful.

  84. null 8 months later:

    Merchant Credit Guide is a “collection agency”. Judging from postings by consumers at Ripoffreport.com MCG appears to be a junk debt buyer. Junk Debt Buyers are collection agencies that acquire bad debt. Junk Debt Buyers are also responsible for a large number of debt collection and credit reporting violations of law. For more information on Junk Debt Buyers and their illegal practices visit http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/junk-debt-buyers.html . It also appears from calls that I have gotten from MCG, and posts made by others at ripoffreport.com, that they “fish” for information they don’t have. Calling people asking them for their Social Security Number, address, etc. Never give out personal information. Once when my wife answered the phone MCG was calling asking for me. I wasn’t home . They asked for her name, to verify our address, and even asked her for my Social Security Number. When she asked who they were the person would not provide a company name or give her the reason for the call. Obviously she was smart enough not to provide the information and If wasn’t for caller ID I still couldn’t have known who called. A company that is engaging in this type of activity is questionable at best.

    Below I have provided information on Merchants Credit Guide that I found at the Chicago BBB website where there were multiple complaints filed against the company under 3 different files.

    Merchants Credit Guide 223 W Jackson Blvd Suite 900 Chicago, IL 60606-6993 888-249-4134 312-895-3406 FAX 312-360-3024

    Mr. Daniel Burtis - President Mr. Edwin Burtis - Secretary/treasurer Scott Ross , Compliance Manager

    Additional Phone Numbers (800) 835-0531 (312) 470-2615 (888) 249-1033 (312) 470-2606 (312) 360-3000 (312) 360-3024 This is a link to one of the BBB’s reports on Merchant Credit Guide. http://www.chicago.bbb.org/commonreport.html?bid=12020776

    Here is a link to they many complaints about the company at ripoffreport.com http://www.ripoffreport.com/results.asp?q1=ALL&q4=&q6=&q3=&q2=&q7=&searchtype=0&submit2=Search%21&q5=Merchants+Credit+Guide&submit=Search

    The only way we can stop companies like these is to report their illegal activities to the proper authorities. If you think Merchants Credit Guide was trying to scam you or engaged in illegal activity against you please take the time to file a complaint with the following against the company.

    The Federal Trade Commission https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?ZORGCODE=PU01

    The Illinios Attorney General http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/

    The Chicago Better Business Bureau http://www.chicago.bbb.org/complaintsearch.html

    I hope you find this information helpful.

  85. Tim 8 months later:

    I have received calls from the 704 795-1235 also. I was never home when the calls were maid. There was no message on my answering service either. I think that well all should make a complaint. I found this blog trying to figure out just who was placing the calls. Those suckers need to stop bothering people.

  86. Frankie 8 months later:

    This is a Ontario, Canada phone number out the “don’t call area !

  87. GS 8 months later:

    greg_suvalian@spanners4us.com

  88. fleetmack 8 months later:

    the 905 # has been calling my cell phone for 2 months, 3 times every weekday … i’m sick of this shit. i’m not using my minutes to tell them “no” and i’m not making a long-distance call. is there a 1-800# or something I can call from my work phone to get this shit to stop?!

  89. George 9 months later:

    Everyone FILE A COMPLAINT

    at

    www.donotcall.gov

  90. TIRED OF IT!!!!! 9 months later:

    I have been recieving these calls for the past month as well. It just freaked me out tonight when they called I let the answering machine get it and it was blood curdling screams. WTF is wrong with these people????????????

    I signed up to the DNC list today but have to wait 31 days to make a damn complaint!

    Thanks to the guy who made this blog it was driving me nuts who that number was.

    Anyone getting any calls from 201-373-8321 its a NJ # I dont know anyone from there and its time is coinciding with the 704 number.

  91. sjl 9 months later:

    Calling Epixtar works (i hope). They removed my number from their list…we’ll see if it works.

    Thank you for your research on this!!

  92. Mr. 9 months later:

    I hate these telemarketers just as much as anyone, and recently started getting them on my cell phone, which makes me want to stab someone in the face.

    But, having recently worked in a firm that did most of its advertising via telemarketing, I have dealt with thousands of people like you all who tell me go to hell and stop calling or they’ll report me. It’s funny how many of you morons always give a second chance to the telemarketers, saying “if you call me one more time I’ll report you!” why not just report them after the first time? You’re all just full of shit. None of you actually have the will to go through with reporting someone, and even if you do, nothing happens. I’ll tell you what telemarketers do when someone tells them to go to hell and stop calling, they move your number to the top of the list. At least thats what everyone in my company did. Either that or we take down your number and that’s the one we call every night at 3 in the morning when we’re wasted out of our minds.

    Just thought you all should know what your empty threats and “reportings” actually do.

  93. nate 9 months later:

    heh…called Irv…his secretary answered and put me to his “voicemail”. so i left him a kind message.

  94. Di 9 months later:

    905-482-1663 called once today, I was surprised to see a Canada number on my caller id, so I let it ring. I called back afew minutes later to explain that (between two voip lines w/o distinctive ring yet) I dont know which # they are truly calling, however the calls must stop

    The woman explained to me this process would take a month to fix, I explained to her I used to work in her profession (for more legit/non spam companies) and I called her bullshit, I dont think she liked that too well.

    She proceded to tell me that her company does not comply with the DNC list (state or federal), I explained to her shes calling my country to my home which I have issues when she interupts my life. As well, the line (one of two) is used to business calls only.

    She then proceded to tell me that (My husband) is recieiving these calls from one of the companies he already deals with. I then proceded to tell her we both only deal with companies online/in person, and deff. do not need/want/wish to ever receive these calls again.

    As well, being in the past profession I let her know my thoughts on her calling a non-listed dnc caller, and asked if she would prefer I call her home just randomly when I felt like it.

    She stated it would still take a month, I told her she has 48hrs before I begin to file suit, whats it to me, 11k in charges to a company that cant comply with the laws for the person they are contacting? :) She galdy accepted it would be taken care of asap.

    I did this last week with another company (which took less time), and its not hard to be a housewife and work on design of a new house, but when someone interupts my day just b/c they want to sell me something I dont want, it just entertains me and gives me reason (with voip) to call back and harass them to remove from calling list.

    I plan to start a site up off my domain for all companies I have to deal with, and hopeful with afew tips from past professtion to try and help anyone in this case, when I do I will come back and drop a link.

    Cheers

  95. null 10 months later:

    Yes, I got a call from 201-373-8321 but I hung up on the person because they did not say anything right away. This is my procedure because I have found that with most telemarketers, there is a pause before they say anything after you pick up the phone and say “hello.”

  96. Julie 10 months later:

    Next time someone gets annoying call from 704-795-1235, either call your local phone company to do a “Trap and Trace” on that number or contact Concord Telephone Company in Concord, NC to see how they can assist. They may not give out info on who ‘owns’ that telephone number but they could possibly contact them if it is a problem with their autodialer, etc.

  97. null 10 months later:

    It is long distances isn’t it ? How long will they stay on the line ? How big of a phone bill can they afford ?

  98. null 10 months later:

    My son got that call from 704-795-1235 the other night. they told him he was pre approved for a $3000 credit card. you know the dumba** gave them all his personal info? i had to call the credit report places and put a fraud alert on his ss#. i even called the charlotte police and told them what was going on. i called the number back and it keeps saying please leave message and then it says memory full.

  99. PissedOff 10 months later:

    I just recently started getting pounded in the ass by 704-795-1235

    After searching the web and finding this blog, I called them back at 704-295-1128 and punched in extention 564 and got to talk to a REAL person finally.

    They claim they could make the ass pounding stop immediately, i seriously doubt that…i also filed a DNC complaint…

    Fuck them

  100. Jessie 10 months later:

    I got several phone calls from the 704# today, 6 times in 2 hours!!!! And this was at 7 and 8 at night. I believe it may be part of an election campaine, as i got a call on my other phone line from them (not the 704# just the campaine people) shortly before the other calls started. I don’t really know who they are, but I am on the do not call list and i filed a complaint this evening. they never leave a message and when you do pick up, they hang up. But they did not do this on my other phone line. This is harassment. I hope the “do not call” people contact me, i left them all my info, if they do, i will post it here and maybe everyone else should leave a complaint as well.

  101. Jerry 10 months later:

    Been receiving phone calls from 704-795-1235 for the last few weeks (10 & 11/05). Thanks to your .blog been able to determine that it is a marketing thing. Went on-line to EPIXTAR, the responsible party for the telemarketing at that number, seems like they have filled for Chapter 11 in October 2005 - couldn’t happen to a nicer company…

  102. Chris 10 months later:

    704-795-1235 calls me all the time and hangs up. I call back and it’s busy. I say class action!!!

  103. man at work 10 months later:

    wow, I got a call today at work and got a strange mesg. and said spoke some words in spanish and then said’it’s me’ but heard lots of people in back groun got to some telamarketing crap. i agree class action sounds like a great idea.

  104. Ross Hunter 10 months later:

    This is getting insane… Wonder if someone can file a “friend of the court” brief on this company in whatever court is handling their chapter 11. 7047951235

  105. Big Daddy 11 months later:

    Yeah, those collections calls suck. Best way to avoid them is to pay your damn bills.

  106. Scott Laird 11 months later:

    Yeah, collection calls suck, but at least you can escape those by paying your bills. Most of the calls from the numbers on this page are sales calls. I don’t have any unpaid bills, and I had them calling me night and day on my home and cell phone. No, it doesn’t make any sense at all.

  107. null 11 months later:

    I too get calls from this number. Next time I do I’m answering and asking them for their personal information and see how they like it. Also, I’m a receptionist. I can call them every day too!

  108. nateBlog-E-Blog 11 months later:

    These bastards continue to call my house and hang up. Call them back and it is busy. My wife thought that I was having an affair. I am ready to inflict some bad Karma people. If they think that they can get away with this, they are sadly mistaken.

  109. KT 11 months later:

    I received a threating phone call from a telemarketer who was “attempting” to collect an debt that was well over 7 years old from my husband. The man on the phone started the phone conversation by telling me that he was an attorney and that he was taking me to court. I told him that he didn’t have written permission to discuss any matter with me and hung up. He called back and the threats began. He told me that I was a low life, worthless dead beat who couldn’t get a job a McDonalds. I hung up the phone. He called back and got my answering machine and left more threats. In the second phone, I convenced him that I would send the money “immediately” and requested all the information to mail the payment. I also got the phone number. After a little research online, I was armed with addresses of the Attorney General of his state, the state bar association of his state, the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission and began my attack. I also sent his company a Cease and Desist letter barring them from any further contact with me or my family. I have been getting updates from the state bar association of his state over the past few years regarding my complaint. On Monday of this week, I received a letter from them stating that the collection agency that was using the real attorney’s name to make their threats and the attorney himself have been barred from practice and the trial is supposed to start after the first of the year. I have been asked to testify at the trial of the slim bags. So, for those of you who think that one voice can’t make a difference, think again. One by one you can make a difference.

  110. Joel 12 months later:

    that # calls me every day!

  111. Martha about 1 year later:

    I have also been getting tons of calls from the 704 #. I use to work for a collection agency and if the people from the 704# are indeed collectors or solicitors, it is illegal for them to call you more than once a day. If you are on the no call list, they aren’t suppose to call you at all, UNLESS they are a collection agency for a company, in which they can call you every day until you pay your debt, except in the state of MA, in which they can not call you at all. It is even illegal to call you, then hang up and call you again to let it ring til the answering machine picks up. most of the time, they are using a dialing system and the computers will call your number automatically, then it pops up on their computer screen and this is when they talk to you. I personally am not behind any bills, so i think it is probably a solicitor… It is, however, pissing me off.

  112. null about 1 year later:

    just called me too. I didnt pick up the phone, but decided to see who called and found this website. Thank God, I didnt pick up the phone. I also put my name on the DO NOT CALL list…Im afraid whoever with the 905 482 1663 number got my number and other numbers from the list and abusing them.

  113. null about 1 year later:

    And a few more #’s to avoid: 201-373-8321, 717-295-8071, 877-291-7322 I’m geting very fed up with the crap!!!! I have an unlisted number, plus have notified DNC list, still getting hammered. I’m getting at least 4 per day, every day!!! Think I’ll just get rid of the damned phone! They’re even going to cell phones now.

  114. POd about 1 year later:

    The reason they won’t leave messages on our answering machines is because what they are doing is ILLEGAL. What we need to do is keep detailed documentation of times and dates of these harrassing phone calls from these numbers, and find a good lawyer who wants to file a class action lawsuit against these leeches.

    (Yes, the 704 scumbags have my number too).

  115. null about 1 year later:

    Thank you to those who have posted that this number is one of MCG’s. We have gotten 2 messages per day for the past week saying “It is important that you contact Chris Miller at 888-249-8811 about a very important business matter. It is urgent that you contact me immediately. This matter is very serious.” This is a recording, with no greeting using my name or my husband’s. They are trying to get a whopping $27.11 out of me, which I paid to our pediatrician last March!

  116. shaky about 1 year later:

    A couple months ago I got one of those devices that shut out the marketers. It didn’t work. I was pissed………so for about two weeks, any calls we didn’t recognize, we just clicked the flash button (which connects you) and imediately hit the end button. Apparently that signals their electronic caller machine that this is a non-working number. We haven’t had a marketing call for a couple months.

  117. Foley about 1 year later:

    Epixtar Corp. 11900 Biscayne Blvd. Suite 262 Miami, FL 33181 Phone - 305-503-8600

  118. jenny about 1 year later:

    Luscious at Harvard, You Rock! They’ve been calling me non-stop… Now I can call them. Ha! I love revenge. Jenny

  119. null about 1 year later:

    You can email Epixtar at http://www.epixtar.com/contact.asp and tell them to take you off of their list. Don’t know if this will work… but it’s worth a try. The BBB is next along with a note to the National Do Not Call Registry.

  120. Mark from Massachusetts about 1 year later:

    I had this same call in Feb 2006. They claim they are the DOVE Foundation regarding some type of survey for tv entertainment.

  121. null about 1 year later:

    this number is someone who calls on behalf of violence on TV and kids, or something to that effect. I called the number back and was supprised a human answered. She was polite and offered to put me on the list not to be called. Sometimes it seems some people way over react, and it didn’t cause me any real harm to speak to this person and thank her for putting me on her do not call list.Some of the ppl here who complain are raving lunatics who believe they live in a society where it is a breach of their civil rights to get a phone call. Just put in prospective with the big picture, and get a grip. Not one telemarketer has ever been rude to me, perhaps the complainers here initiated the rude behavior screaming at the caller like an idiot.

  122. null about 1 year later:

    speaking of privacy, why did this site attempt 4 times to place a cookie on my computer? I guess like the above complainers I should run around the room in circles, screaming and pulling my hair out. LOL people are amusing

  123. null about 1 year later:

    I have a VoIP phone and the number 717-295-8071 shows up Visions Marketing so I found their website http://www.wecloseloans.com and it’s a telemarketing co. They only called me once (I am on the Do Not Call Registry) if they continue to call I will do what’s necessary.

  124. margie about 1 year later:

    I have been ignoring these calls for so long, but it’s a pain to get up and walk over to the phone just to see who it is! So - today, i went to the donotcall.gov and filed a ton of complaints, one after the other, with times and dates from my caller ID. I know they’re a clearing house doing other companys’ dirty telemarketing business, so I also went to their website, and put in false personal info (anyone know about retailiation? I’ve been there) and told them I’m hate them and I hope their company is prosecuted for violating the DNC list.

  125. null about 1 year later:

    Yup…Visions Marketing has called a few times over the past month We just ignore them. We have a Caller ID box that we can read from across the room…no need to get up to see who’s calling. We have a non-pub # on the DNC list and screen ALL of our calls. We get almost zero telemarketers, except for our bank trying to sell us some useless “credit protection” plan or similar crap every so often. I always politely refuse and hang up.

  126. null about 1 year later:

    Yup…Visions Marketing has called a few times over the past month. We just ignore them. We have a Caller ID box that we can read from across the room…no need to get up to see who’s calling. We have a non-pub # on the DNC list and screen ALL of our calls. We get almost zero telemarketers, except for our bank trying to sell us some useless “credit protection” plan or similar crap every so often. I always politely refuse and hang up.

  127. CL Miller about 1 year later:

    Hey Guys I have the phone Company that the 704-795-1235 # is going threw My idea is that id we all call this phone company and flood them with complaints about this telemarketer as they have a abuse clause in there contract for phone subscribers they will pull the plug on these guys The Phone Company is CT Communications home office in Concord NC and the # is 704-722-2373 ask for customer service or the department to issue a complaint. It may not stop these jerks but it will make them have to move on.

  128. CL Miller about 1 year later:

    The letter below is a letter I have submitted to the AGO in South Carolina. Dear Sir, I know this may not be anything you can do anything about, however I felt it necessary to at least inform you of a growing problem that has many citizens at their wits end. This phone # 704-795-1235 has been repeatedly calling people from all over. They call day and night even into the early mornings. If you go to Google and type in the # the is actually a site that people are building with complaints about this telemarketer. When they call they have been ask not to call back yet the persist. We have tried blocking the # but they have found away to override that so the calls keep coming. To say the least it is annoying. It is interrupting family time as well as sleep. My hope is that with your authority and the phone company that they are using this can be nipped in the bud. The phone provider they are using is CTcommunications Concord , NC .As a simple citizen I can not order the phone company to pull there plug but maybe you and the NC Attorney General can. If nothing else I fell better just knowing I have done something to try to get this problem addressed Respectfully CL Miller

  129. Ger about 1 year later:

    Yelp… same (905) number here. At least twice a day. Answered once, to get only silence. Hey, what keeps us, here in the U.S., from signing onto the Canadian Do Not Call List? lol They do have one don’t they?

  130. null about 1 year later:

    312-470-2620 is another harassment tool by an outfit called Merchants Credit Guide Co.

  131. null about 1 year later:

    I have received phone calls from 312-470-2620, which turns out to MCG or Merchants Credit Guide Co, a misfit operation run by Edwin S. Burtis and Daniel F. Burtis.

    Here’s the bizarre part. On their website, they claim one of their principals is on the State of Illinois Licensing and Disciplinary Board for Collection Agencies. If that’s true, that may explain why they get away with their improper conduct. It’s like putting a rapist in charge of victim services. Nice job Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

    I urge anyone who receives ANY contact with this company to contact the Illinois Attorney General’s office and file a complaint. At some point, they can’t ignore everyone.

  132. null about 1 year later:

    Merchants Credit Guide has various scams going on, but if you want to check out one of their website names, see www.collectmcg.com

    They also have www.mcgdps.com.

    Their real contact information is:

    223 W. Jackson, Suite 900 Chicago, IL 60606

    T: 312-360-3000 F: 312-360-3024

    Want to hear something really funny about them? They are advertising on CareerBuilder.com for someone to help handle complaints. Hmm…

  133. null about 1 year later:

    They call my cell too! And sometimes they hang up when I answer, then if I call them back to harrass them..Its busy..go figure…

  134. null about 1 year later:

    I have the same problem of all of you, receiving calls from the 704xxxxxxx num. and a I am actually in Mexico in the company were I work has a phone system that connects direct to Mexico by the extension numbers so, this people are dialing the extensions. I have not talked to them jet because I was not in my office on those times but is good to know what is this to do not put attention on it.

  135. John about 1 year later:

    I just hang up on the SOB’s every time. I’ll find pleasure in doing that innumerable times. I heard recently of a credit card scam, I wonder if these are the people?

  136. Warren about 1 year later:

    There are two things that account for companies calling you and hanging up when you answer.

    1) Some telemarketing groups have a bot call people and see if a human answers. If a human answers, then they spin your number to their call centres for immediate call-back, during which time they try to sell you their wonderful services (so they can continue to abuse you).

    2) Some companies have bots call you at different times just to monitor when you are at home. They can then set up statistical profiles of when certain types of people are typically reachable.

    Either way it is evil…

    Cheers!

    -Warren

  137. March 2006 about 1 year later:

    Last month Epixtar won an award for “business excellence” for their call center located in the Phillipines.

    Also, it appears that more and more of these companies are using VOIP. Good luck tracking them down, and it’s cheaper for them to call us.

    We can complain all we want, but some people must buy from telemarketers, and these people keep the industry alive.

  138. RBClark about 1 year later:

    I’ve been getting calls on my business phone from the 704#, and when I answer it hangs up. I called, and got a real person. They said it was an auto-dialing telemarketing system for the Discover card. I gave them my name and the number being called, and they put it into their “no call” list. However, caveat is that they repeated twice that it would take up to 30 days. If in two weeks I’m still getting spammed I ‘m calling the Discover people. Good luck to all of you!!!

  139. tom lazygreyhounds@yahoo.com about 1 year later:

    Fight Back! When the tel-mark guy calls, call him back. 877 219 7322 called me to talk about the DOVE CHARITEY. They said they didn’t want to waste MY TIME; if it wasn’t for me. I’m sure the tel-mark guys don’t like paying for the call or having us take There Time. I called back Three Time. I feel GREAT!!

  140. Fondoo about 1 year later:

    I have been getting these too! they humm and make weird sounds on there on the machine but don’t really say who or what the hell they are. I have zero intention of dealing with them that is for sure.

  141. null about 1 year later:

    I was receiving 3 missed calls from this number a day and I finally had enough and called them back. When they picked up I told them if it was really necessary to call me 2-3 times a day and of course he said no and apologized. He asked if I wanted to be removed from their phone registry list and I said yes. He took down my last name and phone number and removed my number. Haven’t gotten a call since.

  142. Julie about 1 year later:

    I found this blog because I just received my first call from the Ontario number too. I Googled it to find out what it was and found this page. It rang twice and hung up. Didn’t do anything else. So I guess we’ll see if they call again but at least now I do know for sure it’s a telemarketer. Thanks.

  143. Carol about 1 year later:

    I get the same calls from the number 905 482 1663. It’s annoying. This site has been helpful. Will try various things to get rid of these annoying calls.

  144. B about 1 year later:

    I just received a call from the 704 number that addressed me by first name to my work number. The caller claimed that he needed to confirm my mailing address and ask a few questions concerning my subscription to “EDN Magazine”. I told him I have never heard of this magazine and certainly do not have a subscription to it, so I refused to answer any questions. He politely told me to have a good day and hung up… I suspect it was a deceptive marketing/sales call.

  145. null about 1 year later:

    I’ve been getting 2-3 hang-up calls per day from this #. I found out it was Visions Marketing from the postings on this site, so I just called them at their tollfree #800-222-1577. They said they’d remove my # right away - we’ll see! Just wanted to pass the contact info along if anyone else is getting spammed to death by them.

  146. JASMINE about 1 year later:

    I’m currently being harrassed by this 905 number myself. I don’t pick up b/c i dont know who it is but they call me every single day but never leave a messge. so i called it back one day and no one picked up. what the hell??? good thing i googled it too bad im 2wks late and didnt think of it sooner. thanks for all the info provided.

  147. null about 1 year later:

    i’m getting 2-3 calls per day from 717-295-8071 seg24

  148. Discusted about 1 year later:

    201-373-8321 and 888-409-7634 is “Dial America” out of New Jersey. Although we registered our phones on National no-call list, they just keep comming. I think Americans that can afford to contribute to charities should have the right to choose a charity of their own without harrassing calls. Word to the wise call them back and tell them to take you off their list or you will report them to appropriate agency. Good Luck

  149. Dan about 1 year later:

    The best match in Concord, NC is:

    Innovative Marketting Strategy (704) 795-1228 845 Church St N Ste 308 Concord, NC 28025

    They are a telemarketing company for hire, hence the number of different responses to “why are you calling me”.

  150. In State of Virgina about 1 year later:

    Yeah that 905 482 1663 keeps hitting me too. Also signed up for the Do Not Call list dosent seem to working too well Is there a way to stop them?

  151. Gary about 1 year later:

    (201) 373-8321 is Dial America Marketing.

    Usually selling Magizines to “benifit” MADD or somthing.

  152. Cindy about 1 year later:

    I can’t even begin to tell you how pissed I was when receiving these calls after having foot surgery. I couldn’t see the caller ID, so I would get up on crutches or a walker…which was difficult. I wasn’t supposed to bear any weight what so ever for at least 3 weeks. It was happening constantly and I felt like ripping someone’s throat out! I have asked to be put on their “do not call” list, but continue to receive these calls.

  153. Pissed about 1 year later:

    If you dial 717-295-8071 you will get a recording about how to remove your number from their list and it should take about 24-48 hours. They want your full name and number. I told them they did not need my name, just the number. I left my number (which they have anyway) and told them if they did not quit calling me, I would report them to the better business bureau and that I am a member of DNC.

  154. www.thethingsidoformoney.com about 1 year later:

    You can always add a “privacy manager” from your phone company. Most telemarketers use a predictive dialer that identifies it and just moves on. Also register for the National Do Not Call registry and the one in your state.

  155. E C about 1 year later:

    About two weeks ago we have had our phone turned on and we have been receiving a deluge of calls from telemarketers, area codes in Minnesota, North Carolina, Hackensack, NJ, …, and many others only display an 800 number.

    A few days after turning on our phone, we did requeste that our number be put on the DO NOT CALL list, but apparently we need to wait two or three months for this to take effect. A friend tells me that even if I had made the requeste at the time of starting the service with Verizon, I would still be getting these annoying calls. He claims that Verizon sells the numbers BEFORE assigning them to customers. DOES ANYBODY KNOW MORE WHETHER THIS CLAIM CAN BE ACCURATE OR NOT? I am sure Verizon will deny it, but the circumstancial evidence (from 2 cases) suggests it is true.

    It is interesting to note that some of these calls have been from debt consolidators who claim to be non-profit, and hence immune to compliance with the DO NOT CALL list e.g. Express Consolidation, Inc., run by Randall L. Leshin, an attorney based in Delray Beach, Fl, who has already been cited by the FCC, but who claims that one year later the citation was rescinded because he is in fact running a non-profit organization!!! He even has an ORG domain name, http://www.expressco.org, to substantiate his claim.

    Today 201-373-8321 called us, but did not leave any messages, and searching for this number I reached this page.

  156. E C about 1 year later:

    I have to correct myself. Randall L. Leshin’s company uses http://www.expressconsolidation.org

    They also have registered expressco.org, but apparently it is only used for mail servers.

  157. rick about 1 year later:

    704-795-1235 is still in action. My office voicemail got a hang-up from it this morning. Googled the number out of curiosity – I never cease to be amazed at what’s on the web. (Oct 24, 2006)

  158. Lori about 1 year later:

    I live in MI and I have been getting calls from the number 704-795-1235 all times a day. When I answer, no one answers..no matter how long we stay on the phone. I called it back. The first time they hung up, and the second time, they wouldnt answer at all. I was so upset wondering what was going on as there have been alot of break ins around here lately. I thought someone from NC was using a cell phone finding out when we were home and not ..so they could break in, as some of our neighbors have been broken into more than once. Tell me what to do and I will do it! I am so sick of this! I just want my phone back. It makes me feel so much better knowing I am not alone! Whewwwww!

  159. Cherie about 1 year later:

    The (704) number has been calling me all week and many times a day! I keep trying to call it back but there is no answer.

  160. Cherie about 1 year later:

    I finally got the 704 number to answer. It was a company called Epic and they said they were calling in regards to a visa. I asked them to remove my number and told them I thought it was ridiculous that they have called 10 times a day for a week. He apologized and said he would remove me.

  161. Zelu over 2 years later:

    I have been getting a phone call fromthe 704 # and didn’t know who called. They called at my work, but I wasn’t there.

    Now, I decided to search and run to this site ( Google - Long live!)

    I figured it is a dispatching number for telemarketers, reading through many comments above. I don’t belive there is one single company behind. If I ever get to answer the call, I will just ask them to remove my number from the list.

  162. Steven Kessler over 2 years later:

    I have read all the threads and was very helpful for that 704#. I have emailed them to stop calling my number or I will contact my close friends who can start an invesigation on their telemarketing practices.

  163. big mAMA over 2 years later:

    i have just RECEIVED a call from 704-795-1234. and yes it is a number from nc and i had a some kids yell in the phone but nothing like u all have gone through. i have a block for telemarketers so it is not one of them. so i don’t believe they are telemarketers so i wish you all the best. but i wish someone could track these calls down because like you all said it is annoying.

  164. big mama over 2 years later:

    the way it sounds these sound like cell phone numbers. thats why are coming up unknown. but i will tell u this if the call comes in again u can have it traced by pushing in a code through your telephone company. thats if your telephone company carries it any more they do.

  165. big mama over 2 years later:

    i would call your local police and make a complaint if it keeps going on okay. that would be the best next step to make.