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I’ve found that when I get a robot call, if I type randomly on the numpad it usually gets me on the line with a real person, who’s time I’m happy to waste. I fi

I’ve found that when I get a robot call, if I type randomly on the numpad it usually gets me on the line with a real person, who’s time I’m happy to waste. I figure this is the most expensive outcome for the caller

mulmen 7y ago
Is there some way to implement this as a service with a chat bot or just prerecorded mumbling and confused statements? I guess it could happen by just transferring the call. The true future of AI is robots sending eachother spam.
- crooked-v 7y ago
  That would be Lenny: https://shaun.net/notes/introducing-lenny/ https://shaun.net/notes/introducing-lenny/
wildrhythms 7y ago
Doesn't this signal to the malicious caller that your number is an active line with a human willing to pick up the call? I imagine that information is valuable to malicious callers who probably sell lists of active phone numbers of curious humans willing to pick up.
- owenmarshall 7y ago
  I heard that advice 10-20 years ago, and I think it made sense then: junk calls were accomplished with autodialers feeding into phone banks with real humans to finish the scam. With modern VOIP I’d be surprised if anyone compiles lists of possible marks: your outbound traffic can be way more than before, so why not let the computer call everyone and see who bites every time?
acollins1331 7y ago
I answered a spam call once and started leading the guy along while playing pornographic material very loudly in the background. I'd say things like "I'm busy" and "Just one second" and "let me finish this up real quick" at all the opportune times. The indian dude on the other end got very angry. Hopefully i won't be assassinated.
iudqnolq 7y ago
I've had decent luck with saying straight out at the start of the call "I know this is a scan. I am on the federal Do Not Call list and will be reporting you. I'm hanging up now" and then hanging up. My intention is to get my number marked as having a low probability of converting; if you lead them along they might think a few more calls will give them a decent chance at profiting. I also feel sympathy for people whose best option is telephone scams. Note: I'm lying about Do Not Call. It's just another way for people to learn your number has a real person behind it. But the synchronization between the Federal list and internal systems of callers is a shitshow so actually reputable mass dialers will just assume they missed you and add you to their internal list. (Edit: So of course I don't report people. Even if I was really on the list, that takes time and has essentially no return)

mulmen 7y ago

Is there some way to implement this as a service with a chat bot or just prerecorded mumbling and confused statements? I guess it could happen by just transferring the call. The true future of AI is robots sending eachother spam.

crooked-v 7y ago
That would be Lenny: https://shaun.net/notes/introducing-lenny/ https://shaun.net/notes/introducing-lenny/

wildrhythms 7y ago

Doesn't this signal to the malicious caller that your number is an active line with a human willing to pick up the call? I imagine that information is valuable to malicious callers who probably sell lists of active phone numbers of curious humans willing to pick up.

owenmarshall 7y ago
I heard that advice 10-20 years ago, and I think it made sense then: junk calls were accomplished with autodialers feeding into phone banks with real humans to finish the scam. With modern VOIP I’d be surprised if anyone compiles lists of possible marks: your outbound traffic can be way more than before, so why not let the computer call everyone and see who bites every time?

acollins1331 7y ago

I answered a spam call once and started leading the guy along while playing pornographic material very loudly in the background. I'd say things like "I'm busy" and "Just one second" and "let me finish this up real quick" at all the opportune times. The indian dude on the other end got very angry. Hopefully i won't be assassinated.

iudqnolq 7y ago

I've had decent luck with saying straight out at the start of the call "I know this is a scan. I am on the federal Do Not Call list and will be reporting you. I'm hanging up now" and then hanging up. My intention is to get my number marked as having a low probability of converting; if you lead them along they might think a few more calls will give them a decent chance at profiting. I also feel sympathy for people whose best option is telephone scams. Note: I'm lying about Do Not Call. It's just another way for people to learn your number has a real person behind it. But the synchronization between the Federal list and internal systems of callers is a shitshow so actually reputable mass dialers will just assume they missed you and add you to their internal list. (Edit: So of course I don't report people. Even if I was really on the list, that takes time and has essentially no return)