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Why don't telemarketers give up on unresponsive numbers? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 11 months ago by amoroso@lemmy.ml to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

15 comments fedilink hide all child comments

When receiving unsoliciting phone calls by telemarketers, many people consistently hung up, don't bait, and don't interact. So why don't telemarketers delete from their databases such phone numbers that don't lead to any sales or other business benefits?

Maybe the cost of keeping the numbers is so low telemarketers just don't bother. Or keeping track of what numbers to delete may actually have a cost. Or perhaps telemarketers hope those people will eventually pick up the calls.

Any insight?

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[–] Tak@lemmy.ml 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

IMO we shouldn't use phone numbers anymore. Usernames that can request to contact are far superior. The fact that my number can be passed around and shared against my consent then called whenever they feel like it is ridiculous.

[–] gregorum@lemm.ee 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

adding that level of verification to phone numbers would be a fair compromise, no? i like the level of anonymity you get with a phone number.

[–] Tak@lemmy.ml 2 points 11 months ago

I think there's more anonymity away from phone numbers because the way phone numbers are plain text and sold. The only way to really keep a phone number anonymous is to constantly switch phone numbers instead of switching logins.

In today's world I feel like it's much easier to whitelist who you want to talk to instead of blacklist who you don't. It's way too easy to spin up another virtual phone number and just call again or spam texts.