Cold calling scam - has anyone been affected by this?

[iansharp]

Has anyone met this before? Here's what happened to me yesterday, and my theory about what's going on.

I was 'phoned by a very annoyed man, saying that "my organisation" had cold-called him while he was in a meeting. I told him I don't cold call, and as the 'organisation' is just me I'd know if I'd 'phoned anyone.

He said the caller gave the name of my business (actually they gave Purposeful Paths, which was the name before we transformed to NLP Catalysts) and was 'phoning from a call centre - there were noises of 'phones ringing and people talking in the background. Again, I assured him I don't use any kind of agency to call on my behalf.

By the way, he assumed PP was a large organisation because we're top of the list on Google - well yes, but only if you put the URL or exact business name directly into Google. We're all number one and 'large' on that basis!

When he'd calmed down, and accepted this call was nothing to do with me, he promised to let me know if anyone calls him again and to get as much information about them as he can.

I was bemused and couldn't work out what the angle might be. Then I remembered a cold call I'd taken a couple of weeks ago.

I was asked by the caller if I was looking for clients. "Of course."

"Well we have many clients all lined up and anxious to use your services - all you have to do is register with us." I didn't bother to find out how large the sum of money was they were looking for, or get much information about them. I ended the call and thought nothing more of it - after all, if that many people were anxious to be my clients, I'd be getting a large volume of calls direct, wouldn't I?

So I guess there's some unscrupulous agency (or several) out there trawling the web for smallish websites, posing as the business/practice concerned, and getting potential client details. Anyone who does pay the fee - guessing again - gets sent a list of names and 'phone numbers (at best).

So, I'm expecting another call with a similar 'we have clients' for you proposition soon. When it comes, I'll get their details and consider how to get them put out of business - permanently. This harms the reputation of anyone affected, and they're just riding on the back of those of us working hard to establish and grow our business in a legitimate way.

Has anyone else been affected by this scam, or think you have? I'd be interested to hear your experience and what you did about it.

Is my theory correct, or does anyone have another angle on this? Again, all thoughts welcome.

[Baka]

I have had several calls similar to this from people who have had lots of enquiries for a Hypnotherapist in my area. They went on to say that as the local hypnotherapist, they could pass these clients my way.  First off, there are 4 or 5 of us in my town so although it is very flattering to be "the local hypnotherapist" they either haven't done their homework, or they are trying to butter me up!

I just tell them I have more than enough clients already and can't manage any more. This knocks them for six and they have no answer to that.

I won't mention the name of the company but I wouldn't be surprised if it is the same one that contacted you, Ian.

Lee

[iansharp]

Thanks Lee - yes, your experience is very similar to mine and I'll be adoping the 'I'm full' approach in future.

Also, a couple of people have suggested a game to play with cold callers in general - see what we can sell to them (the guy I was taking to has sold Mind Spas and places on courses this way  ). He has a variation on the theme which is to see how long he can keep them on the phone ... kind of interesting although I don't really have that much free time!

[Jay Budzynski]

Hi
Something that I did Awhile ago was add my number to the TPS http://mpsonline.org.uk/tps/ and it puts your Numbers on a register, that tells calling centuries, that your number is not to be phoned.
It’s worked really well for me the only calls I get now are from people that what me specifically or the odd wrong number, something to consider looking into.

Jay

[iansharp]

Yes, good idea - although I'm sure I'm already registered for this via BT's Privacy Service. Although cold calls can be annoying, my main concern is that a company that has absolutely no connection with me is contacting people and claiming to represent me. That's fraud, isn't it? Especially because I've got no idea of what they're telling people or the methods they're using - then it could affect my reputation.

Most cold calls that I get seem to be from people that have read an NLP book as far as the section on rapport, half understood it at best, and attempt to 'be my mate'. So I'm quite looking forward to some pacing and leading ...

  Ian

[iansharp]

I've fund out some more - if you're interested, follow the links below and read. The company that called me was called UFindUs and they've got form. I'd better say that I have no evidence that they have rung anyone claiming to be me - and no doubt you can find out more about coincidence elsewhere on Genius Catalyst ...

http://grumbletext.co.uk/search.php?mode=results

http://www.blagger.com/db4/company_id/2531/companyname/Ufindus.html

Must find out more about Richard's technique for giving people phobias.

[Baka]

That's the company who have called me a couple of times- They are gaining a notorious reputation for their approach.

They can also be very insistant so I hear!