I'm in the know as far as calls to my studio from outfits that promises to put me on the first page of Google. I've just about heard them all, and what is most aggravating is that these scammers are using my business line. Usually I just hang up, but there is one outfit that keeps changing their name and is based in Irvine California, that even though I have threatened to, and have called the BBB and have looked them up on the web under "complaints" and have called the City license division to complain... well they are still calling. It is obvious that they run a steam room operation to get as much money out of you. But anyways, they had me going this morning to the point that they were saying that they were associated with Google! And it was free.. that is until the sales pitch came in. So beware you guys, don't fall for these scammers. Be very careful, because sometimes they can get real slick.
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Search engine optimization scams
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AcquiredTaste
Veteran Member
Yep, I have been getting a lot of those calls lately as well.
Tom Ferguson
Senior Member
I get perhaps 4 a week, often heavily accented enough that I "assume" the calls are coming from out of the country. Just hang up quickly. No need to be "in your face rude", but I don't let them read me the "script" before I say "No thanks" and hang up before they can argue!
Yesterday I had one immediately call me back, complaining that I didn't let her finish. That one I got a bit rude with!
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Tom Ferguson
http://www.ferguson-photo-design.com
Yesterday I had one immediately call me back, complaining that I didn't let her finish. That one I got a bit rude with!
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Tom Ferguson
http://www.ferguson-photo-design.com
elfroggio
Senior Member
The Google "secrets": turns out that Google doesn't really have SEO secrets! Google had published them in the late 2008. Now Google has updated its Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide in PDF format: http://www.google.com/webmasters/docs/search-engine-optimization-starter-guide.pdf
- Here's so more info at: http://www.foto-biz.com/Seo/search-engine-optimization-starter-guide
- When downloading the document: Make sure that you only download it from Google. Many people did take Google's document, repackaged it and called it their own.
Thanks
http://foto-biz.com
The Business of Being a Photographer -- Lightroom Q&A -- Canon 7D
Thomas Kolenich
Senior Member
rsn48
Veteran Member
When I was going to grad school I worked at a call center. There are two ways you shouldn't respond, a number actually. The first is to engage in conversation, just quicky say "Put me on the do not call list" then hang up. After this has happened a number of times, your number will get culled into a dead end file. If you engage in conversation, you will be marked for a call back.
If you are rude sometimes your number will be put on a list for more calls - kind of a get even tactic so don't go rude.
Don't give a reason and think you are bright doing that for not purchasing, that implies latter on your circumstances might change and you will purchase. Some software is set up for a call back in a year.
If you must give a reason, say "its personal, I can't tell you" then request to be put on the "do not call" list. Logically even the idiots figure out its a waste of time to call a number that only responds with a request to be put on the "do not call" list.
Sometimes when some telemarketing company calls, I'll lie and say I had my number put on their do not call list and demand to talk to their manager (when I never did such a thing). This usually gets them on the defensive and they do finally scratch your number.
Don't engage in any other form of conversation.
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An excellent lens lasts a lifetime, an excellent DSLR, not so long.
If you are rude sometimes your number will be put on a list for more calls - kind of a get even tactic so don't go rude.
Don't give a reason and think you are bright doing that for not purchasing, that implies latter on your circumstances might change and you will purchase. Some software is set up for a call back in a year.
If you must give a reason, say "its personal, I can't tell you" then request to be put on the "do not call" list. Logically even the idiots figure out its a waste of time to call a number that only responds with a request to be put on the "do not call" list.
Sometimes when some telemarketing company calls, I'll lie and say I had my number put on their do not call list and demand to talk to their manager (when I never did such a thing). This usually gets them on the defensive and they do finally scratch your number.
Don't engage in any other form of conversation.
--
An excellent lens lasts a lifetime, an excellent DSLR, not so long.
mbloof
Senior Member
Have caller ID?
Just don't answer BLOCKED calls. %95 of the boiler-room call centers are callerID blocked. Don't know anyone out of state? Check the area code of the caller ID, if its from a State that you don't know anyone lives in, pick up the phone and hang up.
No need to even talk to them. If it is a REAL person attempting to call you they will call again. Boiler room callers will simply move onto the next number.
FORGET about engaging them in 'add me to your do not call list' as it will NEVER happen.
Simply ADD YOURSELF to the national DNCL here: https://www.donotcall.gov/
The calls will dwindle down to NOTHING within 90 days.
(now if only I could get them to stop the election comercial phone calls....)
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(insert brag sheet here)
http://flickr.com/photos/mbloof
Technologist @ Large
Just don't answer BLOCKED calls. %95 of the boiler-room call centers are callerID blocked. Don't know anyone out of state? Check the area code of the caller ID, if its from a State that you don't know anyone lives in, pick up the phone and hang up.
No need to even talk to them. If it is a REAL person attempting to call you they will call again. Boiler room callers will simply move onto the next number.
FORGET about engaging them in 'add me to your do not call list' as it will NEVER happen.
Simply ADD YOURSELF to the national DNCL here: https://www.donotcall.gov/
The calls will dwindle down to NOTHING within 90 days.
(now if only I could get them to stop the election comercial phone calls....)
--
(insert brag sheet here)
http://flickr.com/photos/mbloof
Technologist @ Large
- Mark0
Bob from Plymouth
Leading Member
We have the TPS, Telephone Preference Service, in the UK but it doesn't stop all the calls. They still call my number from foreign call centres and I had someone actually arguing with me the other day that I had given him permission to call. It was a very short conversation after that.
I usually say "terribly sorry but you've called at a really bad time" and hang up. I did wonder if asking for their name and address "so I can call round for a chat" would deter them.
I usually say "terribly sorry but you've called at a really bad time" and hang up. I did wonder if asking for their name and address "so I can call round for a chat" would deter them.
... tormented my father for years. Asian guy!!!
He's old. The phone would go and he'd have to get up and go to the hallway for the phone and he's thinking it's an important call from family or healthcare, whatever.. He gets there and it's this xxxx of an Asian selling him whatever.
He must have told him to sod off or whatever and next thing it's calls at all hours of the AM.
We got him on the TPS but I'm not sure it solved it.
It's some sort of scam. They target the elderly, horroscopes, quizzes, prize draws where you pay to enter... that type of thing. He's not into that (too tight with his shillings
) but they didn't leave him alone.Scum is too good a word for them
mshaw
Active member
Even though you will have your number on your website, its usually a good idea to have your domain name registration information private. That way it can cut down on the amount of personal information on you if you registered it and allow only what you want them to know on your website. Also it may stop any system they are using to not collect the information in the first place.
archiebald
Senior Member
Or you could try the opposite if you have time on your hands.
Before he died, my father in law was retired, at home and disabled for a number of years. He was forever getting all sorts of calls and his technique was to simply keep them talking as long as possible. Finally he would tell them that he was not interested and by the way, thanks for the nice long chat.
It became like a hobby to him trying to beat his best time for keeping them talking and wasting THEIR time.
Lovely guy, it was magic to listen to him stringing them along.
Andrew64673
Senior Member
I had one of them once
I think I hung up on them before they finished their speil and they rang straight back and gave me a serve, then called me several times a day for days. I asked them what possible gain was it for them to continually harrass me when I had already made it clear that I would never be their customer. They stopped then.
I think I hung up on them before they finished their speil and they rang straight back and gave me a serve, then called me several times a day for days. I asked them what possible gain was it for them to continually harrass me when I had already made it clear that I would never be their customer. They stopped then.
LX93
Senior Member
Sean Clark
Well-known member
Regarding a SEO company claiming to be part of Google, say you want the service. Talk to them about it for awhile. Then say your client for your next shoot showed up. Insist on getting contact info so you can call back. Contact Google. See if you can call back with Google on the line with you as your partner who wants to hear too. Googles lawyers can have fun then!
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