“What's been the most helpful blog article you've written for hackers, programmers or entrepreneurs. If nothing comes to mind, what article has been the biggest standout for you as written by another.”
"Isn't it better that they run on electricity than gas, though? That's more sustainable in the long run, as they can get their power from any source, including coal, natural gas, nuclear, or solar." - Adam Thorsen
“Grievance: Toyota calls my cellphone every several days with a "second" notice that my warranty is about to expire, and always from a different number and area code, so I can't block it. I'm starting to dislike Toyota a lot. Also, robo-calls need to be made some kind of illegal.”
Did they say it was from Toyota? I've gotten these calls too, but they always say "your vehicle." I called them back and asked them what my vehicle was, which they didn't know. It's a big scam. - Chris White
I've been getting the same calls, but I own a Nissan. I also got a letter. - Adam Thorsen
Good point Chris, I can't remember if they say Toyota, or if I just assumed that. I don't get much other spam to my phone though. - Paul Buchheit
New phone number. On the 'do not call list'. They still keep comin'. Letting A LOT go to voice mail ... The others to Grand Central :) - Charlie Anzman
I get the same from Subaru robo-voice. I think there's no escaping it, no matter the auto brand. Well, I assume Rolls Royce doesn't do that. They probably just call to invite people to secret parties of the uber elite! - Zach Landes
It's almost certainly not your dealer. If you Google the number on the caller ID, there would be several people complaining about it online, and you can/should file a complaint with the FCC. - Manas Tungare
Ack...terrible marketing strategy... call FTC and COMPLAIN... NOT legal. - Susan Beebe
yah, we've been getting these in the mail for the last 6+months .. according to them, mine is always "about to expire" .. for some reason, it never does. - Tim Hoeck
The second notice that my vehicle warranty is expiring is the only phone spam I get. The company would not identify itself, and I've been told the caller ID is fake. - Bruce Lewis
Paul, I get alot of those but not from Toyota. I assume it must be related to Honda since I purchased one almost 2 years ago. I bet I signed somewhere I shouldn't have that my local dealer must have sold my info to third party marketers. *argh* - imabonehead
No it isn't Honda, either. My boss gets those calls and he doesn't own a car. - Bruce Lewis
in California at least it is hugely expensive fine for FCC violations of cell-phone spam, so do follow-up, as it costs consumers money and these things shouldn't go on. I advise corp. clients to basically scrub their lists of phone numbers, as it's not worth the risk (keeping up to date with the non-contact lists) - anna
http://ag.ca.gov/donotcall/ is the CA do not call list, also, "you can prohibit individual telemarketers from calling by asking them to put you on their company's do not call list. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) of 1991 requires telemarketers (except non-profit organizations) to keep such a list. Keep in mind that the telemarketer's "do not call" list applies only to that individual company." - anna
Yes, I own a Toyota and I am getting absolutely *harassed* by these calls as well :( - Ashwin Bharambe
doesn't look like Toyota is winning any customer service brownie points with this warranty *spam* call center - Susan Beebe
My guess is it's not the car company. I don't have a Toyota or Honda. Also, I read this is an identity theft scam. Listen closely to the message they leave, do they say your vehicle name or are you just assuming they know. - Chris White
Problem is that I never got these calls before until I bought a new car. Since then I get these calls anywhere from 1-3/week! Somewhere, someone sold my information for a profit to telemarketers. And my phone number is unlisted in the phone book. I'm pissed! - imabonehead
imabonehead, this might be true. But remember that this scam started recently, so it could also be a coincidence. Gotta use that scientific method. - Chris White
Some of these call come via VoIP networks, as far as i can tell; otherwise, who'd pay to robo-call from London, country code 44 city 207. They're all frauds. Take solace and action after checking and posting the number at http://whocalled.us. - John Lam
Good to know I'm not the only one :). I feel bad for blaming Toyota though, since from the sounds of it they probably don't have anything to do with it. Next time I get a call I'll stay on long enough to see if I can get any details. - Paul Buchheit
Let's stand up together and fight these telemarketers! - imabonehead
I have been getting called on both my cellphone and my landline since spring. When I googled the phone number, I was sent to a site with many similar complaints about this number and instructions to file complaints. - Anne Bouey
me tooo.. stupid canned messages ...lot's of 'em...very annoying... thanks for the link John! - Susan Beebe
I have received similar calls, but they are not dealer specific. - Louis Gray
My sister stayed on the line once and they asked for her name and vehicle identification number, at which point she hung up. I just figure that it's a phishing scam. - Jonathan Tang
m. This leaves the consumer in the lurch. You may say it does not matter as long as you keep within the FDIC limits for insurance. Please remember that the FDIC is a private corporation and can go into bankruptcy due to losses exceeding their reserves. The FDIC is now lobbying Congress for more reserve money and that should tell you something. That something is more failures are on the way and those failures will be in excess of the FDIC reserves. - proee
Hmm, a panama banking company wouldn't have any conflicting interests in this story at all, would it? - Adam Thorsen
"It's nice to see something positive coming out of this whole debacle. I say this, admittedly, as a former government employee, and someone who has not worked for a company that actually makes a profit in several years." - Adam Thorsen
"It's nice to see something positive coming out of this whole debacle. I say this, admittedly, as a former government employee, and someone who has not worked for a company that actually makes a profit in several years." - Adam Thorsen
