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from the perhaps-Florida-Man-was-lonely dept.
Submitted via IRC for SoyCow8317
A Florida man accused of flooding consumers with 97 million phone calls touting fake travel deals appeared Wednesday before lawmakers to explain how robocalls work and to say, "I am not the kingpin of robocalling that is alleged."
Adrian Abramovich, of Miami, who is fighting a proposed $120 million fine, told senators that open-source software lets operators make thousands of phone calls with the click of a button, in combination with cloud-based computing and "the right long distance company."
[...] Calls appeared to come from local numbers, but those who answered were prompted to "Press 1" to hear about vacation deals, according to the FCC. If they did, consumers were connected to call centers not affiliated with companies mentioned in messages, such as Expedia Inc., TripAdvisor Inc., Marriott International Inc. and Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., according to the agency. In actuality, the call centers were associated with Mexican timeshare facilities, the FCC said in a notice.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by captain normal on Thursday April 19 2018, @11:36PM (3 children)
I agree. For the last couple of months I have been plagued by such calls. Always seeming to come from my local area code. Hilton Hotels is a common thread, also some mysterious Account Services. It is annoying as hell because these calls usually come when I am expecting a call. Plus it cost me money cause these calls to my cell number. It is not very much, but I do use a prepaid account, so it is something. I think guys like this should be nailed to the cross like St. Peter upside down.
Oh yes all my numbers are on the "Do Not Call" list. Lot of good that seems to do. Probably because The Trump administration has borked the FCC and FTC.
When life isn't going right, go left.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Justin Case on Friday April 20 2018, @12:00AM (2 children)
The last couple months??!!! WTF? I was getting them in 2007, because I remember the job I held at the time and the phone I had to answer just to hear "Rachel from Card Services" or something like that. Over and over and over ... you get the idea. Or there's something wrong with my warranty. They never knew which card or car I had, but they were ready to take my money on its behalf.
Sure, it might not have been the same telemarketer, but clearly the same inhuman tactics.
I assume this is a lame attempt to parrot the currently popular meme, because, uh, Trump was not elected yet in 2007.
Blame the Presidents and Congressbums if you want, but blame them all, because none of them work for us.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by captain normal on Friday April 20 2018, @04:09AM (1 child)
Actually the Do Not Call list had been working pretty well up until around the first of the year. I did a bit of google-fu and found this:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/how-robo-call-moguls-outwitted-the-government-and-completely-wrecked-the-do-not-call-list/2018/01/09/52c769b6-df7a-11e7-bbd0-9dfb2e37492a_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.429f9844cf6e [washingtonpost.com]
Seems there is something the TelCos could do, but don't.
When life isn't going right, go left.
(Score: 1) by anubi on Friday April 20 2018, @07:22AM
Music Piracy? We might have got a buck outta that sale! Go After Napster! Pass Law! Put 'em out of business!!!
Robocalls? Cost millions of people time and money.. ummm, but it wasn't a one-percenter's money was it... uh... too busy... sorry... can't do anything about it.
Remember, failing to honor Copyright is Theft!, but when they violate your privacy, that is just the way it is... I'm sure you understand.
Now, be a good little boy and respect our wishlists, and quit whining about your wishlist.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]