Yesterday afternoon my cellphone went off. Caller ID showed it be originating in New York. I have relatives in that state (until they move out), but I didn't think it was one of them. I thought it was a technical recruiter, and I answered since I wanted an opportunity to troll for some information.
Well, it wasn't a recruiter. It was "Best Buy". Or so he claimed. He (I forgot what he called himself) wanted to know if I had made any changes to my computer recently. A light went on in my head, as that I hadn't had one of these calls for the past five years, and I wanted to have some fun with this one, like I did with the last one who called.
I said that yes, I had made some changes.
I was then told that my computer had been sending out "security alerts". Security alerts? That caller five years ago said my computer was sending out viruses "all over the Internet". Security alerts. Well good. I told the caller that I didn't think that was a problem, as that I installed some new software onto my computer so that I could send out these "security alerts", and I was glad to know that it was working.
Well he wasn't expecting that. He asked me if I was near my computer, and that he could show me these alerts. I responded with "you don't have to show me. I want my computer to do this. If you don't want to see them then you need to install blocking software."
"There's no blocking software. Look, we're trying to help!"
"Well I don't want your help. I don't see why we need to fix this. My computer is doing exactly what I want it to do."
He wouldn't budge. He kept insisting that we needed to fix this. I'm thinking, how much longer can I drag this out? And do I really want to drag this out? I was done with the work week, and I wanted to go on the air. I was also thinking that I wouldn't be able to keep from laughing for very much longer.
I hung up on him, after which he called back. I didn't pick up the call, and as I write this "Best Buy" hasn't called me up to try to convince me to fix the problem.
I've gotten calls from the IRS robot, telling me that four serious charges have been lodged against me and "local cops" will arrest me within 24 hours if I don't call them back.
I've heard from Social Security about my account being "frozen".
And although it's been five years since it happened, "Microsoft Technical Support" has also called me about all those viruses my computer is sending all over the Internet.
I know I've said in previous entries that I hate telephones, and my feeling is that the primary purpose of a telephone is to allow other people to interrupt you at their convenience.
That said, I get a kick out of these calls, and maybe next time I'll see if I can outlast "Best Buy".
