"I'd like to share this document with you" 😡
Posted by joshuamarius@reddit | sysadmin | View on Reddit | 205 comments
Almost every single day, for over a year now, I am getting multiple of these calls several times a week, no matter the 60+ numbers I have already blocked:
Me: Hello
Caller: Yes, hello, am I speaking to ....<My full name>, the IT Manager for <my company's name>
Me: Yes, How can I help you
Caller: My name is <their name> and I work with <company name changes per call> I noticed you are the Phone Server Administrator for <Repeats company name>, I'd like to share a document with you detailing what we can provide to alleviate you in some of your tasks.
Me: No thanks
Caller: Sir, we are not forcing any services, it's just a document I'd like to send to <confirms my full email address>
Me: No thanks we are not interested; and please add me to your do not call list.
It doesn't matter. They call again, from a different number...they will change "Phone system administrator" to "IT Manager" to any other job descriptions listed on my LinkedIN. It's getting old.
Anybody else going through this?
Werftflammen@reddit
Stone wall them. Just. Say. No.
AdhesiveTeflon1@reddit
I am so glad I'm not the only one LOL. I used to get these a lot, and when you tell them no they get angry. Then I just stopped answering the phone for all unknown numbers.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
They are using numbers from different states, numbers very similar to other vendors I use, and numbers in my same area code with 2-3 digits different than my actual business or cel number. They've done their homework.
cheeseburgermachine@reddit
Can try to change numbers. I know it's inconvenient but if youre out of ideas then thats the last resort one.
Nu-Hir@reddit
Why should I change my phone number, they're the ones that suck!
cheeseburgermachine@reddit
I had a work phone that received spam calls about 20 times a day for years, got a new phone number, no more spam calls
thirsty_zymurgist@reddit
I changed mine for this reason and it was one of the best decisions I've made. Call volume has dropped by 90%. I will do it again if these kinds of calls start happening.
Dizzy_Bridge_794@reddit
That is the way. I do not answer my phone for unknown numbers.
shikkonin@reddit
Forward phone number and company name to police, done.
dlongwing@reddit
I don't answer calls from unknown external numbers. My job description doesn't include "receptionist for IT".
Think about it. When is the last time you got a _legitimate_ call on your work phone from an unknown number?
Just send them to voicemail and move on.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
But I've never said it was an unknown number. They are calling from different states, local numbers, both of which look similar to my own personal numbers as well as larger companies.
dlongwing@reddit
If they're not in your contact list, they're still unknown numbers. It doesn't need to say UNKNOWN NUMBER on your phone for it to be a number you don't recognize.
I create contacts for all our vendor's main lines and our account rep cellphones. They include all that info in their introductory emails, and most companies are good at sending updates if your rep changes. Personally I find that to be far less work than fielding an endless parade of cold calls.
Another hack you can do? Poison the pool. A cold caller calls you, tell them that they've got the wrong number for reaching you. This number is for your old office. Ask them to update your number in their contact database and give them a BS number instead. Something like AreaCode-132-5467. Most reps won't put you on the do-not-call list. But updating an interested customer's contact info!? Gold! They all sell databases to each other too, so getting one of them to update to a "more current" number will spread to the others calling you.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
Again... A lot of my vendors don't have "main lines". We have so many modules that belong to so many different companies, specialists, 3rd party engineers etc, that would make this impossible.
I'm just absolutely shocked at the amount of you that do not seem to understand that in this world not every IT department runs like you run it. You all think that a solution that works for you will work for another person, regardless of the person explaining to you that it would never work in my environment 🤦🏻
dlongwing@reddit
I work in finance, I have so many vendors that I literally have more than one vendor for managing vendors. My solution works just fine for me.
You've got a situation you don't like: You're getting piles of cold calls.
You're in a profession that's all about automation and categorization of data. There are thousands of tools and solutions for dealing with "big list of random contacts I can't keep in my head"
So you have a decision to make: Field cold calls all day, or invest the time in solving the problem.
But hey, sure, I'm the one with a limited scope of imagination here.
🤦🏻
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
I don't.
Great!
No, you're one of the many on here that doesn't understand or accept that the problem affects you differently than me, and doesn't know when to call it quits when somebody disagrees with you.
dlongwing@reddit
So you've decided to field cold calls all day. Cool. Glad we could clarify that decision for you.
Fabl0s@reddit
Wouldn't be surprised if the Document would contain malicious bullshit.
Zer0CoolXI@reddit
Yea but why even call and ask, why not just send it and hope the recipient opens it?
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
That's the weird thing...they never send it! Even after I hang up.
dlongwing@reddit
The bulk of these call-then-send aren't actually phishing. They're sales cold-calls. The document will be a pitch for some random product (probably powered by LLMS).
They're contacting you because IT has deep pockets, and they're not sending the document precisely because they don't want to wind up on spam lists.
Cold-call sales is a brutal business, it's why they're so aggressive. Sadly your number must be on some list someplace.
Nu-Hir@reddit
Man, I wish I worked where you worked.
dlongwing@reddit
I mean sure, if your business is so dysfunctional that IT doesn't have a budget than that doesn't apply to you, but at that point you've got much bigger problems than cold calls.
Ken-Kaniff_from-CT@reddit
Our pockets have holes in them and any money in there fell out of them long ago when people here stopped caring about IT (did they ever here though?), as long as the systems still work, we're good...til we're not.
Steeltooth493@reddit
They got the thing I sent em!
krilu@reddit
Maybe it's because you said no and something about unsolicited email? Not that they care about canspam
Moontoya@reddit
to get a voice recording of someone agreeing to it, to feed into a deepfake tool and use that persons voice for phishing/scams against that company.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1lg3ded6j9o
Call_Me_Papa_Bill@reddit
Maybe a twist on standard phishing, you are more likely to open an attachment you are expecting?
Roseking@reddit
I guess they are hoping that it primes someone to expect a document. "Oh, this is what they just talked to me on the phone about. It is good to open."
It is kind of using the 'If you aren't expecting it, it is probably junk' advice given a lot.
BloodFeastMan@reddit
This is correct, if you agree to take a look at whatever they're pretending to offer, you may take a look, and they go for the IT admins because of possible elevated permissions if they're not well managed. Unsolicited just goes to the garbage.
telvox@reddit
Sounds like they are trying to get him recorded saying yes.
Thick_Yam_7028@reddit
It has a link to Only dad's. Worst possible porn site. I knew a guy who clicked the link once ... sold his house, cars, bought a tent and a life time supply of corn dogs.
Jk but yea seems extra suspicious.
Jamdrizzley@reddit
Sir, just send me the virus and fuck off, thanks.
Vegetable-Caramel576@reddit
why are you answering the phone?
TrueStoriesIpromise@reddit
Because it may be a user?
olizet42@reddit
They should call the help desk folks and not me.
TrueStoriesIpromise@reddit
It could be the helpdesk calling me.
Vegetable-Caramel576@reddit
and the helpdesk is an unknown number to you? be serious.
TrueStoriesIpromise@reddit
I AM serious; our helpdesk was outsourced to IBM managed services. Supposedly it could be any one of several numbers in the Washington (state) area code, like Microsoft tech support.
Vegetable-Caramel576@reddit
do you believe in the concept of personal agency or nah?
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
Because I get calls from many vendors that we use and the numbers sometimes are very similar.
Vegetable-Caramel576@reddit
they can leave a message, and you can call them back. any call you're not expecting is spam.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
I wish it were that easy. Some individual reps don't have that. So if you call back you have to go through some long company menu, and I don't have time for that during critical stuff.
Vegetable-Caramel576@reddit
if you're not willing to change anything, then this problem isn't going to go away. it's not something everyone deals with, we come up with strategies to manage this. that's our job.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
From the comments I'm obviously not the only one and believe me, I have researched tons of Solutions and there is no solid one. It's a slow process, but you can't be blocking "absolutely" everything because I also get new clients calling in as well as legit vendors that sometimes have numbers marked as Spam.
ITAdministratorHB@reddit
I fall somewhere in between. Screening all calls to voice mail just because you don't recognize the number doesn't seem very adult to me.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
Glad somebody brought this up because honestly, it's scary to read this! I can think of dozens of examples where that can screw you up big time. For example, I've had companies purchase another and change all the numbers, or a specific rep I work with leave the company abruptly and call me from another. Not to mentions all the random clients I get 🤦🏻♂️
Vegetable-Caramel576@reddit
what I'm hearing is that you expect every call to be 100% valid 100% of the time, and you never want to check your voicemail. you need a reality check.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
You said it. What "I'm hearing", which means you are entitled to your passive agressive opinion.
Vegetable-Caramel576@reddit
no, this is active aggression.
TheBestMePlausible@reddit
message: "hey this is Fred from. We've been aquired, and this is my new number. Please call back as soon as you get this, we have a bit of a problem with , thanks!"
thursday51@reddit
Not when you are the primary contact for elevation on important or critical issues...
Vegetable-Caramel576@reddit
why would those calls come from unknown numbers?
NorthStarTX@reddit
Because vendors have unknown people working for them.
Vegetable-Caramel576@reddit
that's the point of screening the calls. do you honestly expect to just be able to pick up your phone at every ring in 2025 and not hit spam? that's absurd.
1a2b3c4d_1a2b3c4d@reddit
Then they go to voicemail and get screened like everyone else.
1a2b3c4d_1a2b3c4d@reddit
Yawn. Been in IT for 30 years. All my calls, unless you are in my contacts, go to voicemail. Nobody is that important that they must answer every call. Sorry.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
I'm sorry but you have no idea what you are talking about. Ive had brand new captured clients call in from "Spam/Fraud Alert numbers" because they were referred to me. Saying that you have been in IT for over 30 years doesn't mean absolutely anything. There are many branches in IT, and also many ways of doing business that may be different from your experience. Can't just ignore calls because I could potentially lose a client. So good for you, but that does not and will never apply to me.
1a2b3c4d_1a2b3c4d@reddit
I have every idea of what I am talking about, and nobody is ever going to lose a client or get fired if a call goes to voice mail. Sorry. If you are that concerned that a missed call is going to cause you so much harm I am sorry for you.
Hegemonikon138@reddit
I'd disagree it might never lose you a client, but any new client that can't handle going to voicemail is not a client I want.
Modern survival has nothing to do with physical survival and everything to do with mental survival. If you don't set your boundaries, someone else will set them for you.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
Yeah. Ok.
Moontoya@reddit
thats why you develop theater relationships with vendors of "dont call us, we`ll call you"
Centimane@reddit
If they are an IT manager theres a good chance they do have to talk to vendors about some things and won't always be able to screen calls.
1a2b3c4d_1a2b3c4d@reddit
BS. I have been in IT for almost 30 years, and stopped answering my phone 20 years ago. If its important, they can leave a message.
And, if you are in my contacts, the phone rings, else you go to voicemail. Works perfectly.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
100%!! Even the Legit vendors such as Microsoft, Amazon, our EHR Software Support, etc get screened as "Spam/Fraudulent" most of the time.
ergo-ogre@reddit
There was a spoofing thing going on here about 10 yrs ago that made the call appear to be internal.
IronicEnigmatism@reddit
This 100%
Everyone that i don't have a contact for is on my do-not-answer list. No exceptions.
Trollsniper@reddit
Delete your linked in
Otto-Korrect@reddit
> IT Manager, Flux Capacitor Repair Specialist
My Retrocoil Entabulator hasn't rectified and you worked on my flux capacitor 2 years ago. It must be something you did. I demand you fix it for free!
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
Deal. That's an easy fix...as soon as the Plutonium comes in ill be right over.
Otto-Korrect@reddit
I've got it (Amazon Prime) I just need to run it through the coffee grinder. Its kind of chunky.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
Has to come from Libya!
Otto-Korrect@reddit
I got my centrifuges there. Not pleased. One star. I think they had some kind of virus.
changework@reddit
I always if they have an existing account. If not, I’ll direct them to a Google form to fill out to create one. All submissions must be complete to be accepted.
Otto-Korrect@reddit
Just hang up. No need to be polite. I don't even say anything anymore, as soon as I hear it sounding like a cold contact call I dump it and block the number.
Fratm@reddit
You answer your phone? 🤣
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
Scary how many people answer exactly this 🤦🏻
Fratm@reddit
Why? I have not answered my desk phone in years. Every call on it is sales drones, and people who need to actually work with me either uses teams or e-mail.
davidm2232@reddit
10 lessons in phone system failure? I used to get those all the time
Response A: We have a new phone system and are locked into a contract with support
Response B: Our company has gotten rid of all our IT infrastructure including email. I am now just a teller (worked at a bank). We have no email address for you to send it to
The second one always made them speechless.
thirsty_zymurgist@reddit
A bank that got rid of email got rid of me as a client.
cbelt3@reddit
I answer my phone in another language. They get confused and hang up.
Do NOT use Mandarin.., I started getting calls in Mandarin… exhausting my four word vocabulary.
punklinux@reddit
My former IT manager used to answer those calls with a unique made-up gibberish, but he followed the same rhythm of a real language. It sounded like actual english that was horribly mangled, like maybe the caller missed it the first time. I wish I could describe it in text, it sounded so natural and real. But was complete gibberish in the same cadence of English sprinkled with real words.
It was something like the "This is Lenny..." call package.
In my case, I learned from a colleague to keep asking for the ticket number, customer ID, or invoice number. "I can't continue this call unless I have that." Just keep repeating like you're a call center and you can't go off script. This is a better "do not call list" than an actual do no call list.
marklein@reddit
Mi casa no habla chupacabra chimichanga
Moontoya@reddit
Klaatu Verata Niktu ?
MLSnukka@reddit
or you could answer the phone with a garage departement name like "Parts" . Usually, they hang up or get confused.. :)
oakc510@reddit
I'll never forget the day when I got a legit response to "Ni Hao Ma, Girl."
billyjonhh@reddit
I answered a tele-market once with Hola and they started speaking Spanish
t53deletion@reddit
I'm very good at saying, "I'm sorry. I don't speak English."
https://youtu.be/8cwWgxbqah0?feature=shared
The Great Simon Pegg did it best 👌
olizet42@reddit
😂👍🏽
countsachot@reddit
Those that hang up when you say hello, they'll stay on the line if you answer in mandarin.
cbelt3@reddit
I used to answer in Urdu. That didn’t work. I use German now. They always get confused and hang up.
Tx_Drewdad@reddit
"My hovercraft is full of eels!"
Translations of My hovercraft is full of eels in many languages
Isgrimnur@reddit
Just ask them for strawberries.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
LMAO!!!
E-werd@reddit
For years now. Sometimes they call my personal cell phone too, and I wish that wasn't true.
It's always a foreign call center wanting to send me a "whitepaper" on... some Gartner headline bullshit. I have no obligation to listen to them or take their calls. You know it won't affect the outcome, so you can just say "No, thank you, I'm not interested," and just hang up.
I have worked with the front desk lady to screen a lot of these out.
The_Koplin@reddit
I have fun with these calls honestly. They call because you answer. Make it painful for them. Stop hating the calls, and turn them into a game or something fun so they don't drag you down. Life is too short.
1) Speak in another language, act like you can't hear them, ask them to call back and do that again and again.
2) Ask them how they got your number, ask them for the "contact verification password" or other nonsense they won't have.
3) Ask for a call back number, or any other information you can get from them. Ask them to call you back at xyz number and give them the local PD's non emergency number (That call will have tracing enabled, and might be useful later)
4) Report the calls any way you can. I tend to call the PD back and ask them for a case number for abuse to follow up with the do not call listing of the number, I also have a good working relationship with my local phone company and they have some tricks they can pull at the telco side to ID where the call came from in reality.
5) IF they were dumb enough to tell you anything like domain, company name, call back number etc. Then you can start to drive them nuts by giving any contact info you get to scam sites to call them incessantly. You can have a legal document sent to any state side providers for cease and desist. That tends to get the foreign companies to have to change VOIP vendors.
6) Interrupt them over and over again, ask them to repeat themselves. Keep wasting their time and make them go nuts when they realize they can't get anywhere with you.
7) Speak V E R Y ... S L O W like a sloth moves. Takes practice and its amusing the reactions you get. C..A...N...Y...O...U.... H...E...A...R.....M....E? -- Yes --- "H...O...W...A...B...O...U..T...N...O...W?.....
8) Skip part of words.. "He...o.... An, u, me?", "How, dis, spe...k, up" etc..
9) If you get a gullible one, have them look up "Dr. Futanari's" paper on "inflation" - VERY NSFW WARNING!!
You can try to register your number/s with the do not call registry and use those tools but its hit or miss, ligit companies have a lot to lose if they violate that.
Overall I get perhaps one or two calls a month like this on a bad month. I don't speak the languages some of these folks use, but I know swearing when I hear it and it brings me joy.
PappaFrost@reddit
"I'm having a hard time understanding you, therefore I will speak all of my responses to you using the NATO alphabet for clarity....
foxtrot
uniform
charlie
kilo
oscar
foxtrot
foxtrot
LOL
2c0@reddit
Out of curiosity I've given valid address' to these before. Never once have they followed up, which is weirder.
Reedy_Whisper_45@reddit
Not really.
As soon as I get the pitch, I respond with "No, I'm not interested. Thank you. Goodbye". I don't give them time to continue the pitch. I hang up.
That's if I pick up the phone. If it's not a number I recognize, and I'm not waiting for a callback, I don't often pick up. If it's important (and I have reason/need to talk to them), they'll leave a message and I'll call back almost immediately. That's enough.
JustSomeGuyFromIT@reddit
Just pretend to be someone else when they call. Or ask Kitboga. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDpo_o7dR8c
k0rbiz@reddit
We have a dispatcher that filters out calls like this one. These particular calls would go to our voicemail, which I just delete them once my voicemail box gets full. I usually get 3 to 5 calls a day.
vogelke@reddit
The instant you hear
hang up instantly.
MidnightAdmin@reddit
Me: Is this a marketing call?
Caller: No, but...
Me: I don't really have time for this, have a good day click
mcassil@reddit
Every day, about 4 times a day. My phone's spam filter usually blocks most of them, but that's why I don't answer calls from people outside of my schedule.
hubbyofhoarder@reddit
Don't answer calls from unknown numbers and take down your linkedin.LinkedIn is nothing but a conduit for cold calls
Recent_Carpenter8644@reddit
I got calls from people wanting to sell me a "newly developed toner cartridge" several times a week for years. Different people all the time, but same line.
DankestMemeAlive@reddit
Say you just signed a contract for XYZ solution and you are locked in for X years and tell them to call you back after the X years.
nighthawke75@reddit
And what company do you represent?
Make sure your phone system has recording enabled in single party states/countries.
tomster2300@reddit
You answer your phone?
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
🤦🏻♂️
elarevlaka@reddit
The most annoying ones are those who just happen to have someone in your area and would love to come say hi and give a little presentation !!
Agreeable-Piccolo-22@reddit
Hope, you have spam/phishing control on your mail servers. Just create additional mailbox and use this for real people in your company. They will relearn to use proper address quickly.
So all inbound phish calls - direct them to send mails to the address they know/figured out.
… - may i send you the doc? - sure, send it. Bye
You’ll have tons of material to learn your antispam solution.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
The problem is as you can see in the original call transcript I posted, they already have my email. They sometimes call my business phone, sometimes my cel. - And even if I block their emails, domains or numbers, there's always another company calling.
Key-Web5678@reddit
Block their mail domain. Next time they call, tell them that.
Should name and shame so we can do it too.
PhillAholic@reddit
Ok here’s a list of ten thousand generic sounding fly by night tech companies.
AntonOlsen@reddit
We send them to Lenny, our white paper specialist. It's a good way to waste about 5-10 minutes of our time.
https://www.lennytroll.com/
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
LMAO! This is great 😅🤪
Sir-Spork@reddit
Happened to me with Paulo Alto, I agreed the first time…. Then they started calling me non-stop. Sometimes more than once a day over the same thing.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
Interesting. Some of my calls come from very similar sounding companies to legit ones. They're tricky that way too.
flunky_the_majestic@reddit
Corporate security policies do not allow me to open documents that were offered by a third party when I didn't request it. I'm sorry, I'm not allowed to download your document.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
You say that to "Nextius Systems", then "Techus" calls next week wanting to share a white paper 🤭
admiralkit@reddit
I went through it years ago, my understanding is that if you agree to let them send you the white paper that they then turn around and send an invoice to your company with a recording of you accepting the document as proof they're owed money. Is it the same recording where they repeatedly tell you it's free? I would assume it's doctored but since you don't have a counter-recording to dispute them with it might hold up in court.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
Interesting. It is 100% a live person with quick responses when you say no, and with the ability to quickly get annoyed at you for continuing to say no.
bolunez@reddit
Pick a co-worker you don't like.
"Oh, that's Mr. FuckThatGuy's specialty. His number is..."
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
Ha ha!
SpotlessCheetah@reddit
I just hang up on them as esp if they mention "whitepaper". I used to get these all the time.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
LOL, I've see you've been there. They overuse that "whitepaper" crap.
SpotlessCheetah@reddit
Weirdly enough - I've told many of them to just send it and they never do. What's the point?
admiralkit@reddit
Nowadays it could be to get you talking long enough that they punch the call into an LLM and have it mimic you calling accounting asking for money to be wired. But when I dealt with it apparently it was common for them b to have a recording of you accepting it and even though they said it was free they'd bill your company hoping they could get a quick $400 or something out of accounting.
BloodFeastMan@reddit
Maybe a voice confirmation is better than trolling LinkedIn
Vvector@reddit
Just say, "Sorry, I only use dark mode, I can't read whitepapers".
jdog7249@reddit
Gets a PDF with inverted colors emailed.
Ssakaa@reddit
I'd at least give that one a read, credit for listening.
SaintEyegor@reddit
Ever since I attended a conference 10 years ago, I have vendors and sales scum pestering me constantly. Want me to not do business with you? Spam me and even worse, get snarky about me not returning your calls or emails.
shimoheihei2@reddit
Good thing my phone goes straight to voice mail. No one ever leaves a voice mail.
nothingtoholdonto@reddit
Is this that thing where they have to get your permission to send you unsolicited emails ?
Xaan83@reddit
My favourite part of these is goes like:
Caller: Hello is this?
Me: Nope, I'm
Caller: OK great thank you, I'd like to tell you about...
hume_reddit@reddit
I always said yes. And then I'd mention that I run the mailservers and would use the received email's sending address/sending host for blacklisting purposes.
I think word got around, since I don't get those calls anymore. :(
FireLucid@reddit
Vendors we work with get the desk phone number, all others hit reception and 99% are kicked back. The other 1% get kicked back after reception enquires with us first.
technobrendo@reddit
Easy fix. Just never answer the phone and let them leave a message.
hosalabad@reddit
Yep, every day.
Jug5y@reddit
"we don't do/need/use that here" block if they continue
notarealaccount223@reddit
I make them explain why they are asking. Like I play very dumb about what is going on.
And if they stick around, I ask to be removed from their list before blocking the number.
Thick_Yam_7028@reddit
I setup a blacklist first setup. Youre not in my list you go the dark hole. No exceptions.
DasaniFresh@reddit
My trick is simply not answering any calls from unknown numbers. If it’s legit, they’ll leave a VM and maybe I’ll call back.
JohnnyFnG@reddit
Block calls from unknown callers. Leverage LDAP into MDM (if your mobiles are managed) so you have contact info synced. Get calls from enterprise workers and known staff. External? Leave a VM. Keeps all those scam calls out.
I prefer a zero trust policy and an oops I missed your call over all the spam BS. Your QoL will increase dramatically.
1a2b3c4d_1a2b3c4d@reddit
Stop answering the phone. If its important, they can leave a message. Been doing that for almost 20 years now.
In fact, with todays modern technology, I only allow calls from my contacts to ring my phone, all others go to voicemail.
CyberpunkOctopus@reddit
I like to ask for their website as if I’m interested. If they give one, they just gave me the domain to block. If not, then I especially know they’re BS.
stonecoldcoldstone@reddit
you guys take external phone calls?
Longjumping-Cry269@reddit
Oh yea every week. If I want something I will call you.
BoltActionRifleman@reddit
After they ask if they’re speaking to the IT manager, ask who’s calling. If you don’t recognize the company or want to deal with them just say “Sorry, we’re in the middle of bankruptcy proceedings and can’t take on any new services.”
0verstim@reddit
youre on the clock, right? So youre getting paid to say no and hang up. sure beats a lot of jobs.
Tymanthius@reddit
Put people you want to talk to in a contacts list.
If it's not a contact, then don't answer. If it's important they will leave a vmail you can read or listen to and call back.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
They are not unknown numbers. They are using numbers from different states, numbers very similar to other vendors I use, and numbers in my same area code with 2-3 digits different than my actual business or cel number. They've done their homework.
Tymanthius@reddit
No, they are unknown unless you specifically have them whitelisted.
Literally what you just said is a long way of saying 'it's close to a known number, but it's NOT one of my known numbers'
And even that isn't foolproof. Friend at work showed me that his own number was supposedly calling him.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
Wouldn't matter. Some of the teams that I work with are so big that they constantly change numbers. The support team for our EHR modules for example, has more than 10 different departments and they don't call from just one number.
Tymanthius@reddit
So you add them to contacts. And you tell them you're doing it proactively and why.
You're really making this harder than it needs to be.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
And you're clearly not understanding the problem.
Tymanthius@reddit
Either you're wrong and I understand the issue fairly well - it's you not wanting to actually change anything - or you're not communicating well.
I'm betting on the first, when so many here are very clear on the 'just don't answer who you don't know'.
zephalephadingong@reddit
You kind of have two options. 1 is block the number they called from. The second is to answer the phone and when they ask if they are speaking with you tell them "oh no, he died.". You should come up with an amusing way for you to die in each call just to keep things fresh
msalerno1965@reddit
Is that what that funny ringing noise is coming from that grey thing on my desk every once in a while? I just ignore it and it goes away. Hmph. /s
threegigs@reddit
"Does the document contain a way to contact you? Like an physical address or landline? The lawyers are asking because of the breach of the Do Not Call list law."
land0ns@reddit
I dont think B2B calls apply to that law?
threegigs@reddit
What calls are covered? The do not call provisions of the TSR cover any plan, program or campaign to sell goods or services through interstate phone calls.
Business-to-Business Calls: Most phone calls to a business made with the intent to solicit sales from [bolding mine] that business are exempt from the Do Not Call provisions.
DevinSysAdmin@reddit
No, stop answering the phone to unknown numbers. If it’s important, they’ll leave a voicemail. And please stop confirming you’re the IT manager or decision maker.
bythepowerofboobs@reddit
No need to stress over this stuff. I usually just let all unknown numbers go to voicemail. If I do take the call I'll just interrupt them with a "Sorry, it's against policy to take cold calls." and hang up.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
They are using numbers from different states, numbers very similar to other vendors I use, and numbers in my same area code with 2-3 digits different than my actual business or cel number. They've done their homework.
Dry_Common828@reddit
Yeah, regularly.
If it's a call from someone at my employer, it'll be through Teams and I'll see who they are.
If it's a call to my mobile, and I know them, then they'll show up as a contact and I'll answer (or not).
If it's an unknown number it's going to voicemail, every time.
pickin_peas@reddit
I always say, “Unfortunately for me, the way the internet works…there is nothing that I can do to stop you from sending it. If you think that is my correct address and you think I haven’t already blocked your domain, you can try sending it and see what happens.”
NoReallyLetsBeFriend@reddit
I tell them I'm locked into a 36 month agreement for fill in blank services that we just renewed, so they'll have to follow up in 3 years.
DLS4BZ@reddit
Did you do the needful though?
Panda-Maximus@reddit
Verkada is like this. New sales person every month new string if emails and phone calls.
derfmcdoogal@reddit
Oh man. My local VAR was in the other day asking what projects we have coming up that they can bid on. I mentioned we are looking at doing a new camera system. "Oh? We have a new product offering from Verkada". Stopped them right there. Verkada has spammed nearly every one of my users and they are on my email block list.
BasicallyFake@reddit
you pick up the phone?
Maleficent_Bar5012@reddit
Never ever use the words 'yes', 'I agree', or other words in the affirmative on phone calls from people you don't know.
First-Ad-7960@reddit
I lived this for years. They even got my personal cell phone number somehow.
Now when they call I tell them I am retired which means they hear "I have no budget" and that seems to be working. Call volume is down about 60% from January 1.
ohyeahwell@reddit
When I hear the accent I interrupt and ask them to take me off their list.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
I'd say 90% of my EHR/LOB support teams have accents.
Serafnet@reddit
I don't answer numbers I don't recognize. Anyone legit comes through with our business name or I have them in my contacts.
anonymousITCoward@reddit
I've told them they need to speak with my boss and given them the number to the states AG's office, then blocked the number...
aringa@reddit
Nope, I don't answer my phone unless I recognize the number.
fattes@reddit
Can you route these calls to front desk instead?
I calls from vendors every day and some other bullshit I don’t even answer anymore.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
Yes but some call me directly at my cel.
mr_data_lore@reddit
The simple answer is to just not answer your phone. I haven't answered a call from anyone not in my contact list for years at this point.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
Already commented on this 😒 I wish that were an option but it's not a realistic one. When dealing with urgent stuff, potential new clients, or legit vendors globally marked as spam, I risk losing an important call.
Debonaircow88@reddit
My cio recently had a pretty good idea for these types of calls. Tell them your retired and be really insistent that this is your personal number and you dont want these types of calls on your personal number. Now it'll its a scam nothing is really going to help but if its any legit business why would they want to keep calling a retired person.
onesmugpug@reddit
Most used button my office is "Send to VM" on my phone. Like I tell new hires, I treat my communication avenues like Fight Club and the first rule of Fight Club is never talk about Fight Club. I know who I give that info out to and any other contact gets filtered out.
It's hilarious when sales people change at companies and they reach out to do an introduction call. Filtered until I need you, my guy.
fraiserdog@reddit
I stopped answering my phone years ago. If it is important, they can leave a message
gwig9@reddit
If you've got a pixel phone start using the automated answer agent. A - it's hilarious watching two AIs "talk" to each other and B - if you do get a real person they will get pissed that they wasted time talking to an AI and actually remove you from their calling list.
auriem@reddit
I always tell them I am deceased.
Assumeweknow@reddit
Change your position title to SME.
Darkk_Knight@reddit
I don't answer my desk phone anymore as I get tons of sales calls cuz I'm the IT Manager. I let my voicemail transcribe the message and e-mail me the message. If it's something I'm interested in I'll call them. 99% of the time it's just junk.
If anybody seriously need to reach me via voice they can use Teams for that as I know it's coming from internal employees.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
I've moved as much as I can to Teams/Zoom/GoTo Meeting, but there is always that one or two companies that want a phone call due to "security" reasons or the only option they have.
BerkeleyFarmGirl@reddit
I used to love (/s) when they would do this sort of "Can I send you a white paper" call and then ask me for my email. Dude do your research! Don't waste my time! Just mail it!
My current spam filter does deal with a lot of these email pitches.
Coldsmoke888@reddit
Uh, just have unknown callers straight to voicemail and block? Or this is going to your work phone?
Delete your phone number off your LinkedIn profile and any resume or cover letters you have on the site. Also increase your privacy settings to block non-contacts from seeing your details.
LinkedIn is basically a data gathering service; many job postings are scams anyway.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
I've never had any contact data on LinkedIn. Somebody made the comment that it's possible an email I replied to may have been forwarded, and forwarded again, and eventually landed on some "spam list".
Coldsmoke888@reddit
Ah gotcha, yeah that sucks. I’m on a few call lists and get 2-3 a day for the most part. Just block and move on is all I can do.
VinceP312@reddit
I don't even answer my phone anymore
ddmf@reddit
I hate these types of calls - usually just checking the details they have are correct before selling their list on.
Our receptionists are quite good and manage to get rid of a lot but some have really managed to make it seem like I'm expecting their call and of course they put them through.
We did have a sales call queue that had the most boring slow voice message and then a queue that kept on holding with awful music but we were made to remove it.
pdp10@reddit
Why?
ddmf@reddit
Owner got wind of it, didn't see the funny and business use side of it.
djaybe@reddit
TIL OP answers the phone.
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
Don't you dare get me started on medical facilities and Faxes.
DrunkenGolfer@reddit
I can’t even answer my phone or use voicemail anymore. If their caller ID doesn’t match a contact in my Contacts, I don’t even bother. So I can get the one important contact among the 100 spams?
joshuamarius@reddit (OP)
That would be impossible for me. Just our EHR software support has more than 10 different numbers because of all the departments that support the different modules. Calls come in from several states even though the majority of them are overseas.
Medium_Ad_4568@reddit
On iPhones in new iOS there would be call screening which asks a person for the reason they call, hope your cellular provider supports it.
Mine does not, so most unknown calls go directly to voicemail. 99+% are blocked afterwards.