I wonder if this was unlawful.

[Sylvia Else]

I'm not listed in the telephone directory, but for a while the number
was listed under my maiden name, so still appears on certain CD directories.

So I get a call from a tele-sales person asking for Mr or Mrs X. My
usual strategy is receiving such calls is to ask them to wait, and just
put the phone on the able while I continue my work. That wastes their
time. Usually they just give up after a while, and hang up. After a
minute or so, I could here voices - apparently the person was really keen.

So I picked it up again, and asked what they wanted. Well, apparenly my
number has been chosen for a $1000 dollar prize, provided my partner and
I meet two constraints on salary and age. So then they listed three
alternative prizes and asked which I wanted. I said that they all
sounded worthless to me, and that I didn't want to choose. So then I'm
asked why I think they're worthless, and I reply that I don't believe
that people give away stuff for nothing. They undertake to send the
details in writing, and want and email/fax address. I point out that
they have my home address, which they conceded is true, and suggest that
they send it to me by post.

So then I provide fictious names for myself and my partner, to which the
bumf will be sent.

Actually, from further discussion, it seems there's an additional
requirement; that my partner and I attend a seminar. "No pressure...yeah
- right!"

I chose a time on Saturday, and they said they'd call on Friday to
confirm. On Friday, I'll deny that the people they're discussing even
exist (which they don't).

It was quite rewarding. I've managed to waste a lot of their time
(equals money), and they're going to spend yet more sending me stuff in
the post. Of course, I've wasted a fair bit of mine, but that doesn't
equate to money for me.

Oh, and the calls appeared to have come from India, given that all the
people I talked to (three!) had indian accents.

That'll teach them to cold-call me.

Sylvia.

[Objectionable Fred]

"Sylvia Else" <sylvia@not.at.this.address> wrote in message
news:41996ef8$0$25115$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
> I'm not listed in the telephone directory, but for a while the number
> was listed under my maiden name, so still appears on certain CD
directories.
>
> So I get a call from a tele-sales person asking for Mr or Mrs X. My
> usual strategy is receiving such calls is to ask them to wait, and just
> put the phone on the able while I continue my work. That wastes their
> time. Usually they just give up after a while, and hang up. After a
> minute or so, I could here voices - apparently the person was really keen.
>
> So I picked it up again, and asked what they wanted. Well, apparenly my
> number has been chosen for a $1000 dollar prize, provided my partner and
> I meet two constraints on salary and age. So then they listed three
> alternative prizes and asked which I wanted. I said that they all
> sounded worthless to me, and that I didn't want to choose. So then I'm
> asked why I think they're worthless, and I reply that I don't believe
> that people give away stuff for nothing. They undertake to send the
> details in writing, and want and email/fax address. I point out that
> they have my home address, which they conceded is true, and suggest that
> they send it to me by post.
>
> So then I provide fictious names for myself and my partner, to which the
> bumf will be sent.
>
> Actually, from further discussion, it seems there's an additional
> requirement; that my partner and I attend a seminar. "No pressure...yeah
> - right!"
>
> I chose a time on Saturday, and they said they'd call on Friday to
> confirm. On Friday, I'll deny that the people they're discussing even
> exist (which they don't).
>
> It was quite rewarding. I've managed to waste a lot of their time
> (equals money), and they're going to spend yet more sending me stuff in
> the post. Of course, I've wasted a fair bit of mine, but that doesn't
> equate to money for me.
>
> Oh, and the calls appeared to have come from India, given that all the
> people I talked to (three!) had indian accents.
>
> That'll teach them to cold-call me.
>
> Sylvia.

Buy a whistle and let 'em have it.
That pisses them off no end.

Or make fun of their accents..do you best peter Sellers inpersonation...that
pisses 'em off.

Pretend that you are deaf

or are senile
>

[David]

Good onya Sylvia - these sort of callers are a real pain. Lately I just keep
on asking them 'what colour shoes are you wearing' and that seems to bother
them a bit. If they eventually answer I just tell them that is the wrong
colour for today.

It might be nasty but I have to amuse myself sometimes - and the buggers always
seem to ring at dinner time!

David - who wonders why there is so much angst about Sylvia lately

Sylvia Else wrote:

> I'm not listed in the telephone directory, but for a while the number
> was listed under my maiden name, so still appears on certain CD directories.
>
> So I get a call from a tele-sales person asking for Mr or Mrs X. My
> usual strategy is receiving such calls is to ask them to wait, and just
> put the phone on the able while I continue my work. That wastes their
> time. Usually they just give up after a while, and hang up. After a
> minute or so, I could here voices - apparently the person was really keen.
>
> So I picked it up again, and asked what they wanted. Well, apparenly my
> number has been chosen for a $1000 dollar prize, provided my partner and
> I meet two constraints on salary and age. So then they listed three
> alternative prizes and asked which I wanted. I said that they all
> sounded worthless to me, and that I didn't want to choose. So then I'm
> asked why I think they're worthless, and I reply that I don't believe
> that people give away stuff for nothing. They undertake to send the
> details in writing, and want and email/fax address. I point out that
> they have my home address, which they conceded is true, and suggest that
> they send it to me by post.
>
> So then I provide fictious names for myself and my partner, to which the
> bumf will be sent.
>
> Actually, from further discussion, it seems there's an additional
> requirement; that my partner and I attend a seminar. "No pressure...yeah
> - right!"
>
> I chose a time on Saturday, and they said they'd call on Friday to
> confirm. On Friday, I'll deny that the people they're discussing even
> exist (which they don't).
>
> It was quite rewarding. I've managed to waste a lot of their time
> (equals money), and they're going to spend yet more sending me stuff in
> the post. Of course, I've wasted a fair bit of mine, but that doesn't
> equate to money for me.
>
> Oh, and the calls appeared to have come from India, given that all the
> people I talked to (three!) had indian accents.
>
> That'll teach them to cold-call me.
>
> Sylvia.

[Sylvia Else]

David wrote:

> David - who wonders why there is so much angst about Sylvia lately

I voiced a chorent opinion about something aviation related in
alt.disasters.aviation, which apparently is a cardinal sin, and that
caused the resident NG bully (Bertie the Bunyip) to seek me out, both on
the web, and in this newsgroup.

His sidekicks then joined in.

Pretty tame stuff, all in all. Not nearly as much fun to argue with as
the tax office of the Child Support Agency.

Sylvia.

[Sylvia Else]

Sylvia Else wrote:

>
>
> David wrote:
>
>> David - who wonders why there is so much angst about Sylvia lately
>
>
> I voiced a chorent opinion about something aviation related in
> alt.disasters.aviation, which apparently is a cardinal sin, and that
> caused the resident NG bully (Bertie the Bunyip) to seek me out, both on
> the web, and in this newsgroup.
>
> His sidekicks then joined in.
>
> Pretty tame stuff, all in all. Not nearly as much fun to argue with as
> the tax office of the Child Support Agency.
>
> Sylvia.

Um, make that coherent by replacing "chorent" by same.

[Rod Speed]

Corse it aint unlawful, stupid.

Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> wrote in message
news:41996ef8$0$25115$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...

> I'm not listed in the telephone directory, but for a while the number was
> listed under my maiden name, so still appears on certain CD directories.
>
> So I get a call from a tele-sales person asking for Mr or Mrs X. My usual
> strategy is receiving such calls is to ask them to wait, and just put the
> phone on the able while I continue my work. That wastes their time. Usually
> they just give up after a while, and hang up. After a minute or so, I could
> here voices - apparently the person was really keen.
>
> So I picked it up again, and asked what they wanted. Well, apparenly my number
> has been chosen for a $1000 dollar prize, provided my partner and I meet two
> constraints on salary and age. So then they listed three alternative prizes
> and asked which I wanted. I said that they all sounded worthless to me, and
> that I didn't want to choose. So then I'm asked why I think they're worthless,
> and I reply that I don't believe that people give away stuff for nothing. They
> undertake to send the details in writing, and want and email/fax address. I
> point out that they have my home address, which they conceded is true, and
> suggest that they send it to me by post.
>
> So then I provide fictious names for myself and my partner, to which the bumf
> will be sent.
>
> Actually, from further discussion, it seems there's an additional requirement;
> that my partner and I attend a seminar. "No pressure...yeah - right!"
>
> I chose a time on Saturday, and they said they'd call on Friday to confirm. On
> Friday, I'll deny that the people they're discussing even exist (which they
> don't).
>
> It was quite rewarding. I've managed to waste a lot of their time (equals
> money), and they're going to spend yet more sending me stuff in the post. Of
> course, I've wasted a fair bit of mine, but that doesn't equate to money for
> me.
>
> Oh, and the calls appeared to have come from India, given that all the people
> I talked to (three!) had indian accents.
>
> That'll teach them to cold-call me.
>
> Sylvia.
>

[Sylvia Else]

Rod Speed wrote:

> Corse it aint unlawful, stupid.

Well, I wasn't being entirely serious in the subject line.

Still - on the face of it, I've entered into an agreement to attend a
seminar, while not acting in good faith, and having given a false identity.

But if they want to sue me - bring it on, I say.

>
> Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> wrote in message
> news:41996ef8$0$25115$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
>
>
>>I'm not listed in the telephone directory, but for a while the number was
>>listed under my maiden name, so still appears on certain CD directories.
>>
>>So I get a call from a tele-sales person asking for Mr or Mrs X. My usual
>>strategy is receiving such calls is to ask them to wait, and just put the
>>phone on the able while I continue my work. That wastes their time. Usually
>>they just give up after a while, and hang up. After a minute or so, I could
>>here voices - apparently the person was really keen.
>>
>>So I picked it up again, and asked what they wanted. Well, apparenly my number
>>has been chosen for a $1000 dollar prize, provided my partner and I meet two
>>constraints on salary and age. So then they listed three alternative prizes
>>and asked which I wanted. I said that they all sounded worthless to me, and
>>that I didn't want to choose. So then I'm asked why I think they're worthless,
>>and I reply that I don't believe that people give away stuff for nothing. They
>>undertake to send the details in writing, and want and email/fax address. I
>>point out that they have my home address, which they conceded is true, and
>>suggest that they send it to me by post.
>>
>>So then I provide fictious names for myself and my partner, to which the bumf
>>will be sent.
>>
>>Actually, from further discussion, it seems there's an additional requirement;
>>that my partner and I attend a seminar. "No pressure...yeah - right!"
>>
>>I chose a time on Saturday, and they said they'd call on Friday to confirm. On
>>Friday, I'll deny that the people they're discussing even exist (which they
>>don't).
>>
>>It was quite rewarding. I've managed to waste a lot of their time (equals
>>money), and they're going to spend yet more sending me stuff in the post. Of
>>course, I've wasted a fair bit of mine, but that doesn't equate to money for
>>me.
>>
>>Oh, and the calls appeared to have come from India, given that all the people
>>I talked to (three!) had indian accents.
>>
>>That'll teach them to cold-call me.
>>
>>Sylvia.
>>
>
>
>

[Galimatias]

Sylvia Else wrote:
> Rod Speed wrote:
>
>> Corse it aint unlawful, stupid.
>
> Well, I wasn't being entirely serious in the subject line.
>
> Still - on the face of it, I've entered into an agreement to attend a
> seminar, while not acting in good faith, and having given a false
> identity.

It is not a condition of entering into an agreement that you act in good
faith, with some important exceptions, none of which apply here. And you
are free to adopt an assumed name in entering an agreement, with some
important exceptions, none of which apply here.

> But if they want to sue me - bring it on, I say.

Whether they might want to do that is irrelevant. They still need a cause
of action.

[Peter]

In article <4199a0bf$0$1959$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au>, Sylvia Else
<sylvia@not.at.this.address> wrote:

> Well, I wasn't being entirely serious in the subject line.
>
> Still - on the face of it, I've entered into an agreement to attend a
> seminar, while not acting in good faith, and having given a false identity.
>
> But if they want to sue me - bring it on, I say.

Wouldn't call it a contract. You cannot be under an obligation to
attend a sales pitch. As such what they are offering would technically
be a gratuitous gift.

[Rod Speed]

Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> wrote in message
news:4199a0bf$0$1959$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
> Rod Speed wrote

>> Corse it aint unlawful, stupid.

> Well, I wasn't being entirely serious in the subject line.

> Still - on the face of it, I've entered into an agreement to attend a seminar,
> while not acting in good faith, and having given a false identity.

Perfectly legal to do that.

> But if they want to sue me - bring it on, I say.

Wot if they send around the death squad ?


>> Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> wrote in message
>> news:41996ef8$0$25115$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
>>
>>
>>>I'm not listed in the telephone directory, but for a while the number was
>>>listed under my maiden name, so still appears on certain CD directories.
>>>
>>>So I get a call from a tele-sales person asking for Mr or Mrs X. My usual
>>>strategy is receiving such calls is to ask them to wait, and just put the
>>>phone on the able while I continue my work. That wastes their time. Usually
>>>they just give up after a while, and hang up. After a minute or so, I could
>>>here voices - apparently the person was really keen.
>>>
>>>So I picked it up again, and asked what they wanted. Well, apparenly my
>>>number has been chosen for a $1000 dollar prize, provided my partner and I
>>>meet two constraints on salary and age. So then they listed three alternative
>>>prizes and asked which I wanted. I said that they all sounded worthless to
>>>me, and that I didn't want to choose. So then I'm asked why I think they're
>>>worthless, and I reply that I don't believe that people give away stuff for
>>>nothing. They undertake to send the details in writing, and want and
>>>email/fax address. I point out that they have my home address, which they
>>>conceded is true, and suggest that they send it to me by post.
>>>
>>>So then I provide fictious names for myself and my partner, to which the bumf
>>>will be sent.
>>>
>>>Actually, from further discussion, it seems there's an additional
>>>requirement; that my partner and I attend a seminar. "No pressure...yeah -
>>>right!"
>>>
>>>I chose a time on Saturday, and they said they'd call on Friday to confirm.
>>>On Friday, I'll deny that the people they're discussing even exist (which
>>>they don't).
>>>
>>>It was quite rewarding. I've managed to waste a lot of their time (equals
>>>money), and they're going to spend yet more sending me stuff in the post. Of
>>>course, I've wasted a fair bit of mine, but that doesn't equate to money for
>>>me.
>>>
>>>Oh, and the calls appeared to have come from India, given that all the people
>>>I talked to (three!) had indian accents.
>>>
>>>That'll teach them to cold-call me.
>>>
>>>Sylvia.
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>

[Sylvia Else]

Rod Speed wrote:

> Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> wrote in message
> news:4199a0bf$0$1959$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
>
>>Rod Speed wrote
>
>
>>>Corse it aint unlawful, stupid.
>
>
>>Well, I wasn't being entirely serious in the subject line.
>
>
>>Still - on the face of it, I've entered into an agreement to attend a seminar,
>>while not acting in good faith, and having given a false identity.
>
>
> Perfectly legal to do that.
>
>
>>But if they want to sue me - bring it on, I say.
>
>
> Wot if they send around the death squad ?

They wouldn't do that. It's not an economic proposition.

>
>
>
>>>Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> wrote in message
>>>news:41996ef8$0$25115$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>I'm not listed in the telephone directory, but for a while the number was
>>>>listed under my maiden name, so still appears on certain CD directories.
>>>>
>>>>So I get a call from a tele-sales person asking for Mr or Mrs X. My usual
>>>>strategy is receiving such calls is to ask them to wait, and just put the
>>>>phone on the able while I continue my work. That wastes their time. Usually
>>>>they just give up after a while, and hang up. After a minute or so, I could
>>>>here voices - apparently the person was really keen.
>>>>
>>>>So I picked it up again, and asked what they wanted. Well, apparenly my
>>>>number has been chosen for a $1000 dollar prize, provided my partner and I
>>>>meet two constraints on salary and age. So then they listed three alternative
>>>>prizes and asked which I wanted. I said that they all sounded worthless to
>>>>me, and that I didn't want to choose. So then I'm asked why I think they're
>>>>worthless, and I reply that I don't believe that people give away stuff for
>>>>nothing. They undertake to send the details in writing, and want and
>>>>email/fax address. I point out that they have my home address, which they
>>>>conceded is true, and suggest that they send it to me by post.
>>>>
>>>>So then I provide fictious names for myself and my partner, to which the bumf
>>>>will be sent.
>>>>
>>>>Actually, from further discussion, it seems there's an additional
>>>>requirement; that my partner and I attend a seminar. "No pressure...yeah -
>>>>right!"
>>>>
>>>>I chose a time on Saturday, and they said they'd call on Friday to confirm.
>>>>On Friday, I'll deny that the people they're discussing even exist (which
>>>>they don't).
>>>>
>>>>It was quite rewarding. I've managed to waste a lot of their time (equals
>>>>money), and they're going to spend yet more sending me stuff in the post. Of
>>>>course, I've wasted a fair bit of mine, but that doesn't equate to money for
>>>>me.
>>>>
>>>>Oh, and the calls appeared to have come from India, given that all the people
>>>>I talked to (three!) had indian accents.
>>>>
>>>>That'll teach them to cold-call me.
>>>>
>>>>Sylvia.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
>

[Galimatias]

Peter wrote:
> In article <4199a0bf$0$1959$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au>, Sylvia
> Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> wrote:
>
>> Well, I wasn't being entirely serious in the subject line.
>>
>> Still - on the face of it, I've entered into an agreement to attend a
>> seminar, while not acting in good faith, and having given a false
>> identity.
>>
>> But if they want to sue me - bring it on, I say.
>
> Wouldn't call it a contract. You cannot be under an obligation to
> attend a sales pitch. As such what they are offering would technically
> be a gratuitous gift.

Is a "gratuitous gift" something like a "free gift"? Or even simply just a
gift?

[Galimatias]

Sylvia Else wrote:
> Rod Speed wrote:
>
>> Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> wrote in message
>> news:4199a0bf$0$1959$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
>>
>>> Rod Speed wrote
>>
>>
>>>> Corse it aint unlawful, stupid.
>>
>>
>>> Well, I wasn't being entirely serious in the subject line.
>>
>>
>>> Still - on the face of it, I've entered into an agreement to attend
>>> a seminar, while not acting in good faith, and having given a false
>>> identity.
>>
>>
>> Perfectly legal to do that.
>>
>>
>>> But if they want to sue me - bring it on, I say.
>>
>>
>> Wot if they send around the death squad ?
>
> They wouldn't do that. It's not an economic proposition.

They may not be rationalists.

[Peter]

On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 17:39:55 +1100, Sylvia Else
<sylvia@not.at.this.address> wrote:

>
>Still - on the face of it, I've entered into an agreement to attend a
>seminar, while not acting in good faith, and having given a false identity.
>
You might a free trip to southern Queensland to look at some over
priced apartments and listen to a spiel from a high pressure
salesperson and reassurance from a two faced lawyer. Only trouble is
you have no time to yourself i.e. to look in real estate shop windows.

[Bertie the Bunyip]

Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> drivveled on and
onnews:41996ef8$0$25115$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com .au:

> I'm not listed in the telephone directory, but for a while the number
> was listed under my maiden name, so still appears on certain CD
> directories.
>
> So I get a call from a tele-sales person asking for Mr or Mrs X. My
> usual strategy is receiving such calls is to ask them to wait, and
> just put the phone on the able while I continue my work. That wastes
> their time. Usually they just give up after a while, and hang up.
> After a minute or so, I could here voices - apparently the person was
> really keen.
>
> So I picked it up again, and asked what they wanted. Well, apparenly
> my number has been chosen for a $1000 dollar prize, provided my
> partner and I meet two constraints on salary and age. So then they
> listed three alternative prizes and asked which I wanted. I said that
> they all sounded worthless to me, and that I didn't want to choose. So
> then I'm asked why I think they're worthless, and I reply that I don't
> believe that people give away stuff for nothing. They undertake to
> send the details in writing, and want and email/fax address. I point
> out that they have my home address, which they conceded is true, and
> suggest that they send it to me by post.
>
> So then I provide fictious names for myself and my partner, to which
> the bumf will be sent.
>
> Actually, from further discussion, it seems there's an additional
> requirement; that my partner and I attend a seminar. "No
> pressure...yeah - right!"
>
> I chose a time on Saturday, and they said they'd call on Friday to
> confirm. On Friday, I'll deny that the people they're discussing even
> exist (which they don't).
>
> It was quite rewarding. I've managed to waste a lot of their time
> (equals money), and they're going to spend yet more sending me stuff
> in the post. Of course, I've wasted a fair bit of mine, but that
> doesn't equate to money for me.

Obviously.

Bertie

[Sylvia Else]

Peter wrote:

> On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 17:39:55 +1100, Sylvia Else
> <sylvia@not.at.this.address> wrote:
>
>
>>Still - on the face of it, I've entered into an agreement to attend a
>>seminar, while not acting in good faith, and having given a false identity.
>>
>
> You might a free trip to southern Queensland to look at some over
> priced apartments and listen to a spiel from a high pressure
> salesperson and reassurance from a two faced lawyer. Only trouble is
> you have no time to yourself i.e. to look in real estate shop windows.
>

Oh, well, in that case, I'd just start asking pointed questions about
two-tier marketing.

Sylvia.

[Bertie the Bunyip]

Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> drivveled on and
onnews:4199c092$0$31870$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com .au:

>
>
> Rod Speed wrote:
>
>> Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> wrote in message
>> news:4199a0bf$0$1959$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
>>
>>>Rod Speed wrote
>>
>>
>>>>Corse it aint unlawful, stupid.
>>
>>
>>>Well, I wasn't being entirely serious in the subject line.
>>
>>
>>>Still - on the face of it, I've entered into an agreement to attend a
>>>seminar, while not acting in good faith, and having given a false
>>>identity.
>>
>>
>> Perfectly legal to do that.
>>
>>
>>>But if they want to sue me - bring it on, I say.
>>
>>
>> Wot if they send around the death squad ?
>
> They wouldn't do that. It's not an economic proposition.
>

Exactly, who the **** would waste a 25 cent bullet on you?

bertie

[Bertie the Bunyip]

Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> drivveled on and
onnews:4199d7c3$0$24377$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com .au:

>
>
> Peter wrote:
>
>> On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 17:39:55 +1100, Sylvia Else
>> <sylvia@not.at.this.address> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Still - on the face of it, I've entered into an agreement to attend a
>>>seminar, while not acting in good faith, and having given a false
>>>identity.
>>>
>>
>> You might a free trip to southern Queensland to look at some over
>> priced apartments and listen to a spiel from a high pressure
>> salesperson and reassurance from a two faced lawyer. Only trouble is
>> you have no time to yourself i.e. to look in real estate shop
>> windows.
>>
>
> Oh, well, in that case, I'd just start asking pointed questions about
> two-tier marketing.
>

Stupid lying ****


Bertie

[David]

Hmmm - so what wouldhappen if you refused to talk about properties etc on one
of those trips, and just wandered off and chose not to return on their flight -
can they getcha for that?

David

Peter wrote:

> On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 17:39:55 +1100, Sylvia Else
> <sylvia@not.at.this.address> wrote:
>
> >
> >Still - on the face of it, I've entered into an agreement to attend a
> >seminar, while not acting in good faith, and having given a false identity.
> >
> You might a free trip to southern Queensland to look at some over
> priced apartments and listen to a spiel from a high pressure
> salesperson and reassurance from a two faced lawyer. Only trouble is
> you have no time to yourself i.e. to look in real estate shop windows.

[Ernest]

On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 14:07:32 +1100, Sylvia Else
<sylvia@not.at.this.address> wrote:

>I'm not listed in the telephone directory, but for a while the number
>was listed under my maiden name, so still appears on certain CD directories.
>
>So I get a call from a tele-sales person asking for Mr or Mrs X. My
>usual strategy is receiving such calls is to ask them to wait, and just
>put the phone on the able while I continue my work. That wastes their
>time. Usually they just give up after a while, and hang up. After a
>minute or so, I could here voices - apparently the person was really keen.
>
>So I picked it up again, and asked what they wanted. Well, apparenly my
>number has been chosen for a $1000 dollar prize, provided my partner and
>I meet two constraints on salary and age. So then they listed three
>alternative prizes and asked which I wanted. I said that they all
>sounded worthless to me, and that I didn't want to choose. So then I'm
>asked why I think they're worthless, and I reply that I don't believe
>that people give away stuff for nothing. They undertake to send the
>details in writing, and want and email/fax address. I point out that
>they have my home address, which they conceded is true, and suggest that
>they send it to me by post.
>
>So then I provide fictious names for myself and my partner, to which the
>bumf will be sent.
>
>Actually, from further discussion, it seems there's an additional
>requirement; that my partner and I attend a seminar. "No pressure...yeah
>- right!"
>
>I chose a time on Saturday, and they said they'd call on Friday to
>confirm. On Friday, I'll deny that the people they're discussing even
>exist (which they don't).
>
>It was quite rewarding. I've managed to waste a lot of their time
>(equals money), and they're going to spend yet more sending me stuff in
>the post. Of course, I've wasted a fair bit of mine, but that doesn't
>equate to money for me.
>
>Oh, and the calls appeared to have come from India, given that all the
>people I talked to (three!) had indian accents.
>
>That'll teach them to cold-call me.
>
>Sylvia.

I see no unlawful activity in your actions, about a year ago
I did a similar things with those Nigerian scammers, cost them
5 international phone calls of over 30 mins each. All happened
between when I decided to leave that address and actual left.
Often wonder if they ever rang the new residents.

Deadly Ernest

@bywater.net.au

(my new keyboard, with small keys,
accepts full responsibility for all
typographical and spelling errors)