Yes, actually if you give your phone # to an arts organization when you purchase tickets it does give them the right to give your # to an outside company to call you on their behalf (behalf of said arts organization) unless you specifically request otherwise at the time. Even this specific request can fall thru the cracks as the databasing for arts non profits are typically done thru another 3rd party firm and the database given to the outside telemarketing/telefundraising company is often flawed as a result. In addition, none of these companies will "hound" you if you are simply mature enough to answer the phone on the first call and request to be put on a "do not call list". Furthermore, these outside firms do not take a cut of your donation/purchase. The money the original nonprofit uses to hire them is figured into their yearly fundraising/marketing budget. Furthermore still, direct mail is proven to be the least cost effective fundraising method. So, as someone who has worked in the nonprofit field and researched these relationships extensively, I can say that every point in your post was wrong.

Bought tickets for the NJPAC in Newark, so guess I'm on their hit list also.  They called my cell first and told them NEVER call my cell again, and they never have since.  So now they are calling my landline.

Just called me and said it was Democratic National Campaign and said they wanted me to give money to President Obama.  Weird.

They called me and left the entirety of The Beatles "something" as a voicemail. Really scared me.

Did not answer the phone, received a 2-minute voicemail that sounded like on-hold music; lyrics for "Don't want to leave her now..." 80's song.

They called tonight at 10:30PM!
Then there was a voice mail that just had music on it.

This number calls and there are several complaints regarding this number on the internet.  I called this number back and the lady who answered had a foreign accent.   I am on the "no Call' list.

I got a call from the same number (which incidentally is a NYC area code) concerning operas at the Kennedy Center in DC. I live in the DC area and am a member of the Kennedy Center. But I have always dealt directly with the center if I want tickets, and they have called me directly many times over the years to inform me of specials and events. I don't know why this guy called me.

I have recently received the same weird calls from the same number with caller ID "DCM"; each time they left a message - the old Beatles tune "Something."  Creepy!

They just left a 40 second message on my machine that was a recording of the Beatles song, "Something." No other message... just a song... then disconnect. Creepy. On another web site similar to this one, I saw that someone else got an identical call from this number... the Beatles singing "Something in the way she moves..." etc.

We just got the same weird message on our machine from this number: 40 static-y seconds of the Beatles song "Something" -- with no other message. Our caller ID said the call came from "Performing Arts." Kind of creepy.

Comes up on caller ID as "Performing Arts."  Judging from the broad area covered and the various types of arts organizations which the callers claim to represent, I'd have to guess that this is a telemarketing firm which calls on behalf of arts non-profits throughout the country.  In my case, it would make sense to be called as I had a mini-subscription to a local theater arts organization last summer, but I haven't renewed for this year (the shows aren't to my liking).  But I really wish that my local professional theater company would be professional enough to put local artists to work, even if it's to hit people up to renew their subscriptions!  And leaving a message might very well get some people to re-up their subscriptions as it may have simply been forgotten by some subscribers.

Performing Arts = Arts with a capital F. Did not answer, put on block list (aka Blockhead List).

ABT fundraising

This was a fundraising call from Barnard College asking for contributions.  They called my office and cell and I didn't answer as I didn't recognize the  number

got 2 in past 2 weeks. when i called back later it said it was a nonworking number. weird!! i would think that someone as respectable as the Phil Orchestra wouldn't want something like this associated w their good name!

Just because you bought something from a arts organization does not give them license to hound you by hiring an outside firm to call.  This calling organization take a significant cut from whatever you donate or buy as a result of a call to you.  Let them send you a letter soliciting your support and purchases.

ID says it's PERFORMING ARTS" what tiny minds persist in this waste of time?

Iive in TX & it was for the Houston symphony
they are relentless with mailings & callings

also got a call from 6468983600.  I was talking to someone and thought I'd hit cancel.  I heard a hello and immediately hung up.  I then tried to redial the number......"you have reached a non working number...."

I've gotten several calls from 646-898-3600 in the past months, though not of the frequency reported by some on this board.  I don't answer, and they don't leave voice mail.  If it is an organization having the right to call me, say one I've bought tickets to, and they will offer me discount tickets, I wish they would have their own stable of telemarketers and display the name of the organization.

I just got a call on my cell phone from this number. I live in NJ. It played about 14 seconds of a song (lyrics "something bout the way she moves ...") and hung up on me.

got one today. I have been getting 212.920.3464 a lot, too. perhaps they are connected?

Got a call which ended as soon as I answered...

You probably purchased a ticket from one of the art companies. The COMPANIES GIVE ITS SUBSCRIBER LIST TO THE TELEMARKETERS. It's not harrassment. The telemarketers are hired by a few companies at one time.

You are a fool. It is a telemarketing company for the arts and politics. The companies, like the RPO, hire telemarketers to fundraise for them, allowing the companies to save money. You are being contacted because you used that companies product.

What are you telling the police "Someone called me!"?

All you guys are always so quick to call something a scam. this is a legit call. they call me often because i bought performance tickets at lincoln center, and most likely that's why they are calling you. you don't have to be a member. its likely a 3rd party phone center that represents arts organization in other parts of the country, especially boston. again, a legit practice.

eeesh, sometimes the Internet causes so much more harm than good. you shouldn't doubt the credibility of these calls. you are in essence causing damage to the arts movement in this country.

you all should be courageous and answer your phone and find out for yourself!

not affiliated at all, either, except as a satisfied customer.

OK-so those who think it is not a scam-I DO NOT have a membership to any performing arts organizations.I am not in Chicago ro NYC- I live in Boston. Also, I am on the DO NOT CALL list-that alone qualifies this as harrassment!

Manus, you are correct.  DCM is a highly reputable company that works with non-profits to solicit season ticket sales and donations.  They have a call center from which they call for clients nationwide.

To address a question a little earlier in the postings, non-profits and political organizations are indeed exempt from the regular do-not-call rules, and are able to call whomever they feel is appropriate.  However, if you would like to be taken off an organization's call list, just politely request that they not call you again and they are bound by law to follow your directive.  If you're buying a ticket to something at a non-profit theater, symphony, etc. and are asked to give your phone number, make sure they flag you 'do not call' at the time of the purchase if you don't want to be called.

For the record, I'm not affiliated with DCM but work in a non-profit and therefore know a teeny bit about this.

Sir,

Not obviously a scam. Performing Arts Calling Center. they have many clients. Not a scam. Just fundraising for legitimate causes.