My Caller ID Lied Big Time

MikePA · Apr 14, 2004

fool my caller ID 
Not to quibble /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif , but your callerid wasn't fooled and it didn't lie, it displayed exactly what it was sent. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bob_Skurka · Apr 14, 2004

Most of the police, fire, sheriff & state trooper fund raising operations are actually run by private solicitation companies out of national call centers.

The organization you donate to may only get 10% to 25% of the amount you donate!

I make it a practice to do two things, ask where the caller is calling from, and ask them to come get the money themselves. They will often say that they will have one of the other guys stop in and pick up the check, that is a ploy and you should NOT fall for it. The call center will contact the local department and have them send one of their guys out for the check, but the call center still gets the majority of the money.

My cousin used to work for a call center in Sarasota, FL and he explained the entire thing to me. It is not a scam, but it is not what you think it is. And your local department will get SOME money, but not anything close to what you donate.

If you want to donate to your local department, then just send them a check in the mail and specify what it is to be used for (like bullet proof vests).

Wannafish · Apr 14, 2004

"...exchange a bunch of information before the call is even placed ..."

Wow! You mean they know who I'm going to call before I do? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Sounds like something out of the Twilight Zone! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bird · Apr 14, 2004

( Can anyone tell me if this is truth or fiction? Bird, can you shed some light on this? )

Junkman, you, Inspector507, wroughtn harv, and Bob Skurka have explained it quite well. Personally, I consider it a scam that ought to be stopped, and I would think it would be an embarrassment to any law enforcement agency or group involved. I'm sure there are some variations, but the only ones I've known about personally were cases in which the group allowed use of their name for no more than 5% to 10% of the money raised. I'd never donate to a telephone solicitor like that.

Now Gary (fivestring) mentioned how the money is used that the FOP collects, and I agree that what money gets to them is usually used for good purposes, but this particular fund raising method does not set well with me.

fivestring · Apr 14, 2004

"When I got my recent FOP solicitaton for donation, I told them that I'd just paid a $120 fine for having my headlight out (rather than a warning), and they could consider THAT my donation." 

Ah.... the joys of the job. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
We're heroes to people until they get a ticket...and then it's our fault. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

EastTexFrank · Apr 14, 2004

We're heroes to people until they get a ticket...and then it's our fault 

Sorry Gary but that's the way people are and you know that after spending 20 years on the force. We law abiding citizens love the cops until we're not law abiding citizens and then our views change ... in a hurry. Usually though it's only for a short time and our wrath is directed against an individual officer and not the force in general. That's from a guy who's never had a ticket in his life ... had a couple of warnings though. If it's any consolation, we'd NEVER want to be without you either.

Golfgar4 · Apr 14, 2004

( We're heroes to people until they get a ticket...and then it's our fault. )

Gary,

For many years (+ 15), I taught Defensive Driving classes for professional bus drivers and other government employees. We called them Mass Transit Surface Vehicle Operators , but that's a whole different story.

Anyway, at some point during the 8 hour class, we'd always discuss the mental and emotional aspects of driving. I'd ask what was the single most emotionally upsetting thing that could happen when a person was driving. Invariably, someone would answer with "Getting a ticket!" I'd ask why that was upsetting, and they would say something about being embarrased, or making them later than they already were, or the expense associated with the ticket. I would then ask them, "Aren't you really upset because you got caught breaking the law, and you know you were guilty?" I would then go on and suggest that rather than getting outwardly upset at the officer, why not thank the officer? Can you guess the kind of reaction I'd get then!? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

After the students calmed down, I would suggest to them that there was very real possibility that the officer just saved their life, or possibly someone else's. Wasn't that worth thanking the officer for? The officer is just doing their job, and because of that, made things a whole lot safer for everyone. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

So even if no one else wants to say it, I will. Thank you and ALL law enforcement officers for making my and my families lives a lot safer. Your efforts really ARE appreciated! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Junkman · Apr 14, 2004

( "When I got my recent FOP solicitaton for donation, I told them that I'd just paid a $120 fine for having my headlight out (rather than a warning), and they could consider THAT my donation." 

Ah.... the joys of the job. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
We're heroes to people until they get a ticket...and then it's our fault. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif )

Do you profile?????? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

PBMAX · Apr 14, 2004

I it would be as easy on land line and there are those that have said asmuch here.

But cell phone to cell phone a few weeks back an old phone hacker on Tech TV right there live on tv called Leo Laports cell and made it show the WHITEHOUSE phone number simpley but punching in some code...

I'd imagine if it were real easy tellamarketers would have been trying it already.
But I believe they also said it was A.... NO....NO..... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

The more that electronics get involed the more holes,shortcuts and backdoors get found by the CURIOUS.... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

GerardC · Apr 14, 2004

I have "talking" caller I.D. and voice mail on all my phones. If I hear or see a number I don't know, voice mail takes the call. Then I screen the calls and block the unwanted ones. Aaahhhh... technology. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif