Daily calls from 'energy providers' - scam or aggressive marketing?

LSydneyTony1 on 06/09/2021 - 16:32

The last 3-4 weeks I've been getting 1-2 calls a day, generally from somewhere in Victoria (Sunbury, Albury, Clayton, Melbourne) claiming to be from some sort of energy or solar company. 90% of the calls have been occurring between 5pm-6pm and are always from a different company name.

I generally start asking them questions about how they got this number, why are they calling me, and they almost always just hang up straight away after I start questioning them.

Has anyone else had this?

And secondly, do we think this is likely to be a scam, or just really aggressive and crappy cold calling from a third party energy re-seller(s)?

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Comments

  • Bafranz on 06/09/2021 - 16:33

    Is there a few second silence delay?

    • SydneyTony1 on 06/09/2021 - 16:37

      Yup, every time before it connects. I assume this means they aren't actually in Vic and are offshore?

      • Hybroid on 06/09/2021 - 16:45
        +7

        Stop picking up unknown callers! That makes them call you more as confirms it's an active line.

        If you don't pickup, eventually you get removed from contactable databases.

      • Quantumcat on 06/09/2021 - 20:51

        They have autodialer machines and when you pick up it rings to one of the call centre staff

  • bobbified on 06/09/2021 - 16:43
    +1

    Have you registered your number here?

    It won't help if they're calling from overseas, but you can lodge a complaint if they are within the country.

    • pharkurnell on 06/09/2021 - 16:47
      +4

      None of them are in the country anymore.. the dont-bother-register isnt worth anything anymore sadly.

      • bobbified on 06/09/2021 - 16:48
        +2

        I think you can still complain if the company they're calling on behalf of operates within Australia (even though their call centre isn't).

    • Baysew on 06/09/2021 - 16:51
      +1

      It should only leave the 'genuine' scammers and curtail the aggressive cold callers.

  • dmbminaret on 06/09/2021 - 16:49
    +1

    Has anyone else had this?

    Probably every single person.

    do we think this is likely to be a scam, or just really aggressive and crappy cold calling

    Unsolicited either way. Makes zero difference to me.

    • pharkurnell on 06/09/2021 - 16:55

      Probably every single person.

      Would be easier to ask if anyone has never had one of them calls.. LOL

  • dmbminaret on 06/09/2021 - 16:53

    I tell them I don't have an electricity account and I use candles.

    Alternatively, if you have time, let them do the spiel, act mildly interested and eventually when they want to close the deal, tell them politely to suck eggs. This should get you removed from that particular outfit as they've wasted their time as much as yours.

    • fantombloo on 06/09/2021 - 17:02

      I have done this many times, dragging the chain with endless questions, even organising them to come out to random addresses, but they just don't stop.

    • Mechz on 06/09/2021 - 19:39

      My wide had a few calls last week. I told her to say it was included in the rent and she hasn't had any since.

  • USER DC on 06/09/2021 - 17:02
    +1

    Best thing to do is not put your Main Phone number on these Dodgy websites

  • holdenmg on 06/09/2021 - 17:17

    Next time they call tell them you don't have Solar or a House with a Roof.
    Tell them they have called the Emergency Phone in a Lift.
    Ask them to get help because Oxygen is low and it is getting cold.
    Ask them if they can arrange a Pizza to be dropped in.

    Then hang up…

  • Ocker on 06/09/2021 - 17:21

    String them along until you can find out the name of the company they are calling for. Then ring the company and tell them you are going to report them to the ACCC

  • This Guy on 06/09/2021 - 17:23

    Be super friendly and eager, answer all their questions without providing any real detail for two minutes. When they ask where you live or who your supplier is then tell them North Queensland/Ergon.

  • steven6 on 06/09/2021 - 18:04

    Look up their phone provider https://www.thenumberingsystem.com.au/#/number-register/sear… and ring their provider and complain for each call you receive.

  • ubaid88 on 06/09/2021 - 19:06

    Scammers from India. They will use stolen credits/gift cards to pay your bills and they will ask you transfer 10-30% to their account.

    Don't fall into this trap.

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