1

Just got a weird cold call. This person asked for another person in my department by name and it just so happens they are out today. Then they asked to speak to another IT professional. I then inquired as to what this was in regards to. The only answer I got was “An IT update.” Then I was like, “Well, I’m an IT professional.”

Caller: “Oh, I’m sorry, I meant a Help Desk Technician.”

Me: “Yeah, that’s me, I’m help desk.”

Caller: “Oh! Excellent, than you are just the person I am in need of talking to.” ::rambles speech about how this call is being recorded now::

Me: “Again, what is this in regards to? Is it a sales call or did you need to follow-up on something?”

Caller: ::talking over me:: “Is your address still (says address).”

Me: “Unless you can tell me what this call is in regards to, I’m not going to give you any information.”

Caller: “I’m sorry sir, we are not allowed to give that information out.”

I then hung up.

Usually we get sales calls, or at worst the call from Microsoft. But this one was just weird. Anyone else get a call like this?

The weird thing is that they called our help desk number, which is only distributed internally.

36 Spice ups
2

All the time.

Get you to confirm all the details before trying to sign you up to a webinar/white paper/ useless info, but if you tell them go away they got all your details anyway to try another day or sell.

5 Spice ups
3

If I don’t recognize the number, it goes to VM

13 Spice ups
4

There are a bunch of “technical registries” out there that pester you for your contact and company details then sell them off to vendors and anyone else who wants to buy a contact list.

I used to get the calls all the time and used to be nice about it. Now I just ask them to stop wasting my time and never call again… that way the only call every 12 months instead of every 2

1 Spice up
5

At my previous job I got them all the time. But I guess I’m still new enough here for my info to not be readily available.

6

All the time as well.

I cut them off “sorry, we’re not interested, put us on your do not call list” and then hang up without saying anything further.

Then, I set the number to route straight to voicemail. It is a phishing scam, they’ll get info from you then wind up calling accounting with the info and next thing you know you’ve bought several tonnes of paper, recycled toners or god knows what.

4 Spice ups
7

I’d ask that person tomorrow (Whenever they get back) that they asked for by name about it. Obviously you don’t have a lot to go off of, but just see if there would be someone calling asking for them by name.

8

I’ve seen that these are, occasionally, people that send toner and a bill. Most companies blindly pay, despite never actually placing the order.

1 Spice up
9

Shoot, they’d be wasting their time here. Every penny spent is scrutinized with laser accuracy.

10

Scam call. They were hoping to confuse you into thinking someone else at your company had ordered something.

2 Spice ups
11

Maybe you have a stalker. Those can be fun.

12

if it has caller ID, I set a rule to forward to another annoying sales vendor fax line.

1 Spice up
13

Call to help desk line… sounds like you need an automated message that says “Thank you for calling. Submit a Ticket! Our help desk email is blahblah@mycompany.com. TOODLES!”

1 Spice up
14

Not receiving any calls, but we’re getting bogus emails:

-----Original Message-----

From: Help Desk [mailto:medison@youngstownymca.org]

Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2016 11:09 AM

To: Recipients

Subject: Scheduled Maintenance & Upgrade

Help Desk

Scheduled Maintenance & Upgrade

Your account is in the process of being upgraded to a

newest Windows-based servers and an enhanced online email interface inline with

internet infrastructure Maintenance. The new servers will provide better

anti-spam and anti-virus functions, along with IMAP Support for mobile devices

to enhance your usage.

To ensure that your account is not disrupted but active

during and after this upgrade, you are required to kindly confirm your account

by stating the details below:

  • Domain\user name:

  • Password:

This will prompt the upgrade of your account.

Failure to acknowledge the receipt of this notification,

might result to a temporary deactivation of your account from our database.

Your account shall remain active upon your confirmation of your login details.

During this maintenance window, there may be periods of

interruption to email services. This

will include sending and receiving email in Outlook, on webmail, and on mobile

devices. Also, if you leave your Mailbox open during the maintenance period,

you may be prompted to close and reopen.

We appreciate your patience as this maintenance is

performed and we do apologize for any inconveniences caused.

Sincerely,

Customer Care Team

4 Spice ups
15

I would have too much fun on those calls to forward them to someone else.

1 Spice up
16

Jesus, it makes me cringe to see anything like that in a strange email

3 Spice ups
17

I was getting these once a week. Then I yelled at them. They haven’t called back.

18

I don’t get those calls… I get the occasion wrong number (our local call queue number is almost the same as a local pharmacy and our toll free call queue is similar to a clothing manufacturer…can’t remember which one).

19

Hell, even if I do recognize the number I let it go to voicemail 90% of the time.

9 Spice ups
20

Hell yeah, Spiceworks turned me into an even-bigger call-screener.

1 Spice up