What's a good way to mess with a charitable solicitor?

Question

I'm not ungrateful, there's just this one guy I hate.

This guy called, I recognized his voice (that's how often he calls me) and asked to speak to me. I asked, "May I ask who's calling?" He gave me the name of his charity. I said "She's not available." He got all pissy and said "Why can't I speak to her?!?!?" And I said, "She's not available" and then he said, "Fine, I'll just try back in 10 minutes and see if you let me speak to her then."

I decided to break down and tell him not to call anymore. So, when he called back (actually about 2 hours later) I answered the phone and acknowledged I am the person he’s looking for. He wouldn't let me get word in. Instead of suggesting how much to donate he TOLD me he was going to send a pledge envelope for $75. I said I couldn't donate.

Then, as I was telling him not to call me anymore, he talked over me and said they'd send an envelope for "my usual pledge" and then hung up as I was talking!

BTW, I put it in this category because he was from a POLICE charity!

This is a 100% legitimate charity. I checked them out when I donated to them before (mistake!).

I'm not sure if that makes this guy's actions better or worse.

Answer 1

tell them your having sex! that will shut them up!
you don't ow anything so dont be afraid to push them away

Answer 2

If he calls again I would make it very clear to him that you have no intention of sending in a contribution and that such behavior will greatly lessen the liklihood of you giving to that charity in the future. Also if you know what charity this is you might call and complain.

Now, as far as playing with the guy...

Get a stereo and the most grating music you can find. If he calls again, just tell him that you're going to get the person he's calling and could he just wait a minute. Then turn on the stereo and put him on 'hold.' Come back half an hour later and hang up the phone.

Answer 3

This guy sounds like a con artist.I bet he isn't affiliated with any chairitable organization whatsoever.And if he is don't be afraid to tell him to stop harrassing you,he could be a nut case.Tell him you are going to call the police and report him for harrassment the next time he contacts you.Change your phone number(they will do it for free in a case of harrassment)and you can also get caller block installed on your phone through the phone company.After someone calls you just press the star button and they won't be able to call you again from their phone.Whatever you do don't give him any money because he will just want more and will never stop bugging you for it.Personally I don't donate anymore to just anywhere because when I needed help no one would help me,every place (except for friends outside in San Jose) I had donated to turned me away.So I only donate to Friends Outside.Everybody else can just rot.In the future be careful about giving out your address and phone number.I don't trust anyone anymore.If he sends you anything in the mail use it to show to the police as evidence of harrassment.Good luck and be careful!

Answer 4

Most of the people calling for Police charities are convicted criminals who have been given the task of harassing you as community service work. If he can get your personal information out of you, there is nothing to keep him from selling your identity information to some other criminal to ruin your credit and several years of your life.

The first thing to do is get a return phone number for him. Tell him you do not donate to anyone without verifying their return phone number. Then you call the police station and see if the number is even legit or just a guy in prison who is calling you from the pay phone (also common). If the number is legit, tell the police that you want to contact the parole agent of the criminal who is using police resources to harass you.

You should also call the phone company and ask them to block calls from that number.

If the police do not take this seriously and fix the problem, contact the Attorney General. Letters from the Attorney General's office usually get people's attention.

Answer 5

Many of those police or fire fighter charities are scams. Missouri police officers even made a commercial telling people to not give to these.

First, I would say don't send any money. You aren't obligated to.

Secondly, the next time he calls, just say, "Can you hold on a moment?" Then put the phone down and ignore it until he hangs up. The time that he spends waiting for you to come back to him means he won't be able to bug anyone else.

Don't get me wrong...I use to work as a telemarketer, and I know its a tough and annoying job. But on top of being a scam, this guy sounds like a complete a**.

Answer 6

I'd never donate to a police charity, they get enough of my money from parking tickets and stuff. Plus they didnt give a crap when some jerks broke into my house, they didn't even bother to come over or investigate. Of course they WERE waynesburg cops.

There is a number you can dial (two digit) that reports them to the cops (ha ha), you'd have to look in your phone book under the 'harrassing calls' heading. It's near the front of the book usually. The number goes to the cops, after this guy calls you, immediately dial that two digit number (or whatever it is), and keep doing it every time he calls.

OR, if you want to mess with him, act REALLY interested, say, "Oh yeah, I just got an inheritance and want to donate a LOT of money. Then when the envelope comes in the mail, put in an "IOU, or fake monopoly money or whatever.

OR, act interested, try to get his name, say you want to date him or something. Then try to get his home phone number. Then, when you get it, write it on every bathroom wall you can find, say, "For free phone sex, call -"

Answer 7

You can tell him to send you the packet,but don't give him an address,they usually already have it. When you get the packet,take it to the post master and tell then that you believe this to be mail fraud. You can also call the phone company and have them trace the call. I don't know if all the states have this,but Missouri has a "no-call" that you can get on and this usually works very well. I usually tell them that I'm on the list, even though I'm not and they normally just hang up.

Answer 8

Have you ever heard those canned air horns at sporting events? They do get attention. Keep one by your phone, and next time those scam artists call, let them hear yours. Or, just a regular sports whistle will work. Just make sure they are scammers before you do this. Another fun thing I like to do, is to talk very quietly on the phone, so they have a real hard time hearing you. Background noise is also nice, my favorite is the flushing toilet.

Answer 9

well this person may very well be a con artist and you need to contact the local FOP Fraternal Order of Police and inquire with them. See if you can find out the name of the caller (ask him) also ask him to speak to a supervisor, if that does not work say "take me off your list" that should work, by law (as long as that hasn't' changed) they have to take you off their call list. You can contact your attorney general and give them the name and company of the caller and they will give you a piece of paper that tells you what to tell them if they call back........if they continue to call then you can take them to court and they will usually settle out of court, which may mean money for you.........Regardless of where the solicitation is coming from they should not be harassing you this way.

Answer 10

Take over the conversation and try to sell them something. Don't take no for an answer and don't let them get a word in edgewise. Ask for a phone number so that you can call them at a better time to get their financial donation.

Or ask for the name of their supervisor and report them. (Make a police report).

Answer 11

If I am going to donate I would like the person on the phone o give me their personal information address,phone, full name then I tell them that I will call their home at dinner time to make sure they are home and tell them the amount I am donating. It is my policy I want to know who I am dealing with if you do not want to do that then get off my phone. Isn't that fair I want to know who I am working with.