Jack, all good information you gave, but everyone needs to realize that if they want all the "annoying" calls to stop, they should probably call Verizon Wireless CUSTOMER SERVICE and put a stop to all calls placed to them by the company. If someone complains about receiving the calls, yet does nothing about it, then their idiots. Why complain, just to do nothing about it? Isn't that a waste of time, and effort? As for the people doing the calling, it's their job. They call Verizon Wireless customers to offer promotional offers that the store & customer service can't offer. Reason being is because we're offering items TWO MONTHS EARLIER then the store can. Go ahead, hang up on them and go to the store for your phone, or at least try. When you do this, the store rep will laugh in your face, because they can only give you a phone at month 20 of your 24 month contract. When a rep calls you, they can give you a new phone, or another promotional offer at month 18, that's right, month 18. TWO MONTHS EARLY in case you haven't already done the math! Maybe people should stop bitching and complaining about this, and pay attention to what's being offered. I guarantee that half these people that are complaining could be saving themself money, but are too ignorant to listen to what we're trying to offer. They'd rather complain about "annoying" phone calls they are receiving, instead of listening to the offer and sometimes saving the customer money every month. Hell it may only be $5 a month savings, or sometimes up to $100 a month savings. At times we are even offering 2 FREE MONTHS OF SERVICE, but how would you ever know if you're retarded and hang up on the sales rep that is ONLY TRYING TO HELP YOU???? Pay attention, quit your bitching, and listen to someone when they are only trying to help you! Even if they can't save you money, they are only trying to help. This means giving you information about your current calling plan, letting you know of any promotional offers you are eligible for, and seeing if we can get you a better deal. Still want to b***h and complain, then do it to someone else. The calls aren't a scam, they are legit, we're not going to steal your identity, or run away with your SSN. Hell, we only ask for the last 4 digits, don't give a s**t about the whole thing. Since there is nothing we can do with the last 4 digits, then what's the problem? Still feel uneasy, then take a stand for yourself and call customer service and get a password on your account. This way when we do call, we can have you verify your password THAT YOU SET UP YOURSELF instead of asking you for the last 4 of your SSN. Stop bitching and get a life!

It's verizon wireless calling to upgrade your plan - adding minutes, texting features etc. When you call the number back it doesn't ring but someone does answer saying "Thank You for calling Verizon Wireless how may I help you."

canvassing call. add this number to your "do not call list". I listen only to incoming calls from 800 numbers and do not speak. this number does not speak after  i answering it. clever these bastards.

People should not call others idiots unless THEY'RE capable of spelling correctly.
You are not trying to help the people you call, you are trying to make money for yourself by persuading people to upgrade their plan.
I did not pay for cell phone service so that companies could call me up and try to sell me something.
When I get calls from telemarketers I get angry. I don't care what they're selling. I don't care if it costs less. I tell them I will never do business with a telemarketer and I tell them never to call me again.
Telemarketers are worse than a recurring rash.
Any politician who ever promises to outlaw telemarketing has my vote.

Hrm..... who is it that you are trying to help?  You are trying to help Verizons' bottom line for one.  For two your employers bottom line.  And to top it all off,  you are trying to help your personal bottom line (I assume you are commissioned sales). Or is it to keep your productivity  up thereby protecting your  job? Talking me into another contract is not in my best interest in all likelihood.    My personal phone line is for my use not yours.  Your attitude is self serving therefore I find it impossible to take you as the "voice of reason".  Go away little boy/girl and don't bother me.

I have been on the phone with verizon wireless directly since 1/6/2010 with concerns of this 800-261-1646 # When you call this # it's a verizon recording that keeps circling and no one ever answers. 2 customer service reps and a supervisor have tried this # can not get through to anyone and can not confirm if this company is outsourced by them. One of the supervisor's even suspects that this co just recorded a verizon wireless message and put it on their phone. BEWARE!!! They ask you to confirm all your information. They actually asked me to confirm my 9 digit ss#. I told them if they really have my account info they already know the info. They also told me the name of the co is Connect North America. The incoming calls from this # is very harassing. Tonight I receive 5 calls every 1/2 hr and they are now blocking their # using 000-000-0000. Verizon Wireless has given me the FRAUD DEPT # 800-521-1841 which I will be calling. Everyone must call the FRAUD DEPT so they will start doing something about this. They also marked my account for no soliciting from within the company, so if the calls continue it's definitely not Verizon wireless calling.

After further reading, I am glad to see tax dollars being put to good use building a case for someone who got poor customer service.  Sense of entitlement runs our world today I suppose.

Here's some insight:

Businesses outsource some telemarketing and research functions because it is cheaper.  I work for a large bank (not telemarketing - I work for the actual bank).  If you receive a call from a telemarketer, then call into customer service, my agents do not know who called or what for.  If you have an issue with the call, we take care of it, and we also can change your communications settings to "OPT-OUT" of telemarketing.  We can even turn off solicitations by mail or email.  We even send our customers notices telling them they have the RIGHT to OPT OUT of such calls.  But no one usually reads mail anymore.

Also, when I contact customers to resolve issues, I usually leave a standard message to call back.  If I reach the customer, I must ask them to verify themselves.  If someone says they are not willing to do so, I tell them I respect that in today's world of ID theft, and ask them to call back their 800#.  On the other hand, if I didn't verify who I was talking to, I might end up talking to your spouse or child about that "fraudulent" charge you billed at the strip club last month that turned out to be valid.

Point being, not every call is a scam.  See what they want, and if you don't feel comfortable, hang up and call the company.  If you are getting annoying phone calls because you won't answer the phone - then call the company and OPT OUT.

Just received a call from 800.261.1646.  It is indeed Verizon Wireless.  They asked for me by name, the agent told me upfront that they were calling to check how my plan has worked for me.  

The agent saw that I originally renewed my contract in 2004 and also told me that she saw that I just renewed my plan, how many minutes I have used, and that it seems to work well.  Not even an attempt to sell or upgrade.  She also asked me if I had any questions about my plan or service.

I am sure this is an outbound tele-market, meaning that the accounts pop up right as it is calling the customer.  I assume I was added in there prior to my recent upgrade.  Most likely, they are trying to reach out to clients with older plans to get them into new plans.  

If you get a call from an 800# consistently, they usually want something.  Best advise it to answer it, tell them your not interested, and move on.  If they don't reach you, then they try and try again.  And if you tell them they aren't interested, and they keep calling - then you file a complaint.  But as for a business trying to conduct business with their customers, that's not a bad thing.

Confirming that these b....rds are agents of Verizon Wireless. Phoned them to demand removal from the spam call list. Verizon Wireless is the culprit that set them on me. Call Verizon Wireless to complain, file complaints with the Federal Do Not Call list and any state list you may have. Also contact you local Senator or Representatives office to make this practice illegal. They has info on me that could only have been provided by Verizon. I spoke with Connect NA's Brent Wright in ME who said he would try to remove me from their spam list. I also called Verizon Wireless... reached people who are clueless. The only weay to cure is to make this practice costly for Verizlon.

Did not leave message

This is a wireless telephone scam.  They called and asked me to verify my wireless phone number so they can offer me a better deal.  I suppose I should report this to the FTC.

Hey Matt save your pity for someone else. Yes we are all impressed that you have "weight of executive government" behind you. Ha! Don't make me laugh. You are also so very clever with the build up to bragging about your government job by telling us you will kick someones a** while wearing a suit and tie(very subtle). Only a rich, pampered, trust fund j***off would give someone else s**t about working a job that they think is beneath them. Most of us had to work crappy jobs to pay our way through college, but I'm sure that a candya** rich boy like you who has had everything in their life handed to them has absolutely no idea what i am talking about.

just said missed call on phone.  Who is calling me?

In a business standpoint, there's always something in it for the business, that's how they make money, and stay in business. Do you know of any business that doesn't try to get *or keep* more customers to increase their yearly revenue? If you know of one, then tell me, when was it they went out of business? In order for any business to be & stay successful, they have to make deals with their customers to have they stay with the company. Granted, some are just faithful to the company they are with, and wouldn't leave what so ever. However there are also other customers out there that are always trying to find the best possible deal. Thing is, if you wanted anything done to your account, you'd call, which makes sense. Thing is, the customers we call are valuable customers, and we're trying to sweeten their deal by offering them something for nothing. Now, when times are tough like they are currently for most Americans, who doesn't want something for nothing? Granted, we would be renewing their contract, but if they didn't plan on leaving anyway, then their only gaining something extra at no cost. Also you're right, if we sell you something it is in our benefit, it means that we keep our jobs so we can still provide food on the table for our family and loved ones. Tell me Jiedme, does your family eat food? Do you have a job? If your family does eat food *and of course they do* yet if you don't have a job, that means your a state case that lives off food stamps and some sort of state aid. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, and say that you're a hard working American. You probably would do what you have to in order to keep the money coming in, and food on the table. Then think outside the box, because the people that are calling you trying to give you something for nothing, is trying to do the same. Put food on the table for their family. If you don't want to be disturbed, then use your caller id feature, if you don't recognize the number, THEN DON'T ANSWER IT!

Hey Concerned Employee: If there wasn't something in it for Verizon, they wouldn't be calling me. If I want a new phone, an upgraded calling plan, or anything else, I will call Verizon myself. I don't need to be hounded by them for something that I don't want! Your offers are not for my benefit, but for Verizon's benefit. And if you sell me something, it's for YOUR benefit. So, don't make it sound like it's our fault for not wanting to be disturbed by you for something we don't want!!!!!!!!!!!!

FIle complaints online at both the FTC and the FCC websites!
-- have our taxpayer-funded "consumer-protection" agencies work for US!

People, People, People,

Why are you asking telemarketers to remove you from their list?  Go to the National DO NOT CALL registry and REMOVE YOURSELF!

If they are calling a place of business, just tell them - "This is a business number, it's illegal for you to call here."

They are not allowed to call businesses.  That's why they won't leave a message - why incriminate themselves?  Answer the phone and just tell them.

As for getting a REAL JOB... it doesn't matter who you work for or whether you wear a shirt and tie or sweats... bottom line is that you are still working for someone else - enslaved to a boss... break yourselves free and stop hating others for doing the same thing you're doing - making someone else rich.  

You want a real job? Go work for yourself!  Free yourself from the rat race.  Look at all these people with "Real Jobs" that put their life savings into a bank (Indy Mac)... because where else would you put it right?  and lost it.  Were they not slaving themselves for nothing.. you're a slave to the almighty dollar.  Forgoing your family and your life for what?  So that you can come to a forum like this to hate other people....

Folks - there are only 2 things in life... LOVE and FEAR... stop the fear and free yourselves to see though this illusion.  People fighting amongst themselves for st_up_id things. A Civil war of sorts... what a great thing to divide a nation.. have them tear each other apart.

Peace.

When you call they say that they are working for Verizon Wireless and they need your phone number.  I asked them why they need my phone number if they are my wireless provider and she said she wasn't sure.  She also said she actually works for a company called Connect Mars America that Verizon hires for promotional purposes.  The person I got was named Kelly Johnado her employee number is 1207.  I told her to take me off her list and never call me again.  it's getting harassing at this point (at least twice a day).

I actually work with Ms. Jandreau, and our company is called Connect North America.  The reason we need your cell number is because it won't tell us the number you called from.  If you call us from a landline, how do we know what your cellular number is?  Also...when you go into the store, don't you have to tell them your cell phone number?  We do the exact same as they do, go to the computer and type in your number- pull up your account information.'

And Christian, if you didn't give her your cell phone number, she couldn't of put you on the Do Not Call.  Please keep that in mind- maybe you should try again.

I'm not a fan of telemarketing companies, but let's remember that the people working for them are probably no more excited about the job than you are. It's not like people are aspiring to the glamorous position of call center operator just for the sheer pleasure of annoying YOU. People do what they need to get by, you should be a little more understanding of that. You may hate McDonald's, but don't go taking it out on the guy flipping the burgers. You tell them to "get a real job," and they're likely to kick your a**, which you'd more than deserve.

This number has been calling twice within 2 hours after Verizon Wireless called me so many times for a week its 203-514-5000, I returned call and told the person to remove my phone numbers which it is my unlisted numbers. Sound like Verizon Wireless is TELEMARKETING, is it?

I'm a Verizon Wireless customer and didn't want to call 1-800-261-1646 because the message said they were calling "on behalf of" Verizon Wireless. This basically means they're a 3rd party (ie - TELEMARKETER). So I dialed 611 from my phone and spoke to a true Verizon Wirless Customer Service Rep. She was unable to locate this number in her directory so she called it while I was on the other line. When she told them she was an actual verizon rep calling on behalf of a customer, they hung up on her.

This number call's my house atleast four times daily asking for my children who no longer live with me. I tell them this everytime, everyday, yet they keep on calling. I am out of work and have a bad back, neck, and shoulder, and am usually awaiting a call from my dr's office to update me on the progress of my results. It is not only annoying, and rude, it is deeply stressing and I do not know how I can get them to stop! This is harrassment! Somebody please tell me what I can do!

They called my work number, but didn't leave a message "b/c they're not allowed".  That's what they told me when I called back.  Ummm... ok.

So I called them back and told them to put my number on their Do Not Call List.  So they give me a run around for several minutes telling me "I have to give them my cell number otherwise how will they know what number to put on the do not call list?".

Umm... MY WORK NUMBER YOU F*'N MORON... THE NUMBER I"M CALLING YOU FROM. THAT'S THE NUMBER TO PUT ON YOUR DO NOT CALL LIST. IT HAS ZERO TO DO WITH ANY OTHER NUMBER.

Kimberly, seriously, get a real job girl.  And Eric, I will happily kick the a** of any McDonald's employee, and I will do it with my suit and tie on.  The Nazi's may have been "just following orders", that doesn't make them any less of an a**hole worthy of a beating and berating.

Anyways, they flat out refused to put my work number on the do not call list.  I am very lucky in that I work for the Governor's Office for my state, and all calls in and out on my number are recorded out of policy.  So I brought the case to my supervisor and he contacted our state's IT security agency and they agreed to track the number and build a case if necessary.  I feel bad for others who don't have the weight of executive government behind them, b/c these guys are sketchy as hell and I seriously doubt they enforce their do not call list.

Do not give ANY information from a caller you don't know and whose company name does not show on your caller id. It could be ANYONE calling, people who do identity theft, etc...

They have also been calling many times within the last month and never leave a message.
They should show the name of the company they are representing if they are NOT Verizon Wireless, so people can know who they are to either answer the call or not.

Numerous calls.very annoying. Please stop.

This number has called me every day this week, but they hang up when I answer.  Stop calling if you don't want to talk to me!

These people call constantly.  Enough already!

I got a call last night from this number (11/19/2008). I was holding my month old daughter who was in her 'witching hour'. I said hello 3 times and they hung up. I googled the number and the first search result was this website. If you don't want to talk to them, hold a crying baby and answer the phone with an attitude. That's my advice. It worked for me.