wy_kid_wrangler04 Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 I was looking around yesterday looking for some grammar ideas for ds1st for next year. He has some SN so I want to look at all kinds of different programs and see what I think would work best for him and his needs. So I was on a website that asked for my info but I didn't put any info in. Nothing. How on earth did they just call me??? How did they 1) Know who I am and 2) CALL my cell phone????? I didn't enter in ANY information.. NONE. I looked at the English- looked at the 1st and 2nd grade TOC to see where I thought he would be placed if I went with them and looked for samples. That is it. Nothing more. :confused: Not only does this irritate me and now I will NOT be using their program but this freaks me out completely that somehow they were able to find out who I am and get my phone number with 0 information entered by me. NONE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khall Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 I'm going to assume it was Alpha Omega. They're infamous for that. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom31257 Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 I'm going to assume it was Alpha Omega. They're infamous for that. :glare: They just called me, but I've never asked how they know. I'll have to ask next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wy_kid_wrangler04 Posted December 1, 2011 Author Share Posted December 1, 2011 Yes it was. I have looked on the Horizons website alot and never had them do this. I was on the LifePac website yesterday though looking to see if the English might be what ds needs. The phone call was enough to tell me that's not what he needs :glare: How on earth do they get enough info about you to be able to call you just by browsing their website??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thia Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 I have had that happen too. I told them I did not request information from them and I didn't know how they got my number. The man acted surprised. I told them to remove me from their lists and ended the call. I do not remember giving them any of my information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SorrelZG Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 I've been emailed but never called. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myeightkiddies Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 That is creepy, and it certainly is a turn-off for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay3fer Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 This is just my own conjecture... but it is theoretically possible: If the site you were looking at has partnered with a site you've bought from in past (you may have opted into the partnership by checking a checkbox when you had to to buy a product or receive a free trial or information), the partner site could, conceivably, have stored a cookie on your computer that was traceable to your information on the original site (where you DID buy or provide info). Most companies have a privacy policy that precludes this type of information sharing without your consent, but sometimes, you accidentally tick one of those boxes that says, "may we share your information with one of our highly ethical trusted partners?" and then you're toast. More about cookies. (and more) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 Horizons (Alpha Omega) does this to us about twice per year. I'd heard about this. It is possible that your computer is sending information (aren't 'cookies' so last year? - said in my best valley girl impression) you don't realize? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathryn Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Wow, that's really creepy. I'd have a big problem with that too. I've looked at that website. I'm glad that didn't happen to me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5knights3maidens Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 The last week I had a lot of messages on my home phone from AO and messages on my email. I do not remember leaving my info. on their site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiver0f10 Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 I was looking around yesterday looking for some grammar ideas for ds1st for next year. He has some SN so I want to look at all kinds of different programs and see what I think would work best for him and his needs. So I was on a website that asked for my info but I didn't put any info in. Nothing. How on earth did they just call me??? How did they 1) Know who I am and 2) CALL my cell phone????? I didn't enter in ANY information.. NONE. I looked at the English- looked at the 1st and 2nd grade TOC to see where I thought he would be placed if I went with them and looked for samples. That is it. Nothing more. :confused: Not only does this irritate me and now I will NOT be using their program but this freaks me out completely that somehow they were able to find out who I am and get my phone number with 0 information entered by me. NONE Was this Alpha and Omega? Same thing happened to me. I never gave them any informaton either. I will not be buying from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 I wonder if this is a new thing, because I used to visit their website quite often and never had anyone call me. (I am on their mailing list, but I signed up for that.) I think it's creepy that they would call you just because you paid a quick visit to their website. I'm sure they'd say it was because they wanted to be helpful, but I think it's invasive. :ack2: If enough people respond negatively to their calls, perhaps they will reconsider this type of marketing. I think that anyone who was called, should call or email the Powers that Be over at Alpha Omega and let them know what you think of the calls. Telling the rep may not help, because if AO stops calling people, the reps could lose their jobs, so they may not be too quick to tell their bosses that people are getting angry about the calls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forty-two Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 (edited) Dh says that they are probably using aggressive data mining techniques - compiling databases from offline sources and combining that with info gleaned online - and some people's internet security is loose enough to provide them with enough info to connect the dots. If you have your name stored unprotected in your browser, then they can get that when you surf and look up your phone number if it's listed. Ditto for email, geographical location, browser, operating system - they can legally query your browser for that sort of info, and get it if you don't have it protected enough. ETA: I am sorely tempted to go to that site and see if they call me as a check of my internet security. Edited December 2, 2011 by forty-two Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 If they call, tell them you visited their site because you heard their materials really suck. You had to see for yourself, and after visiting their site you have decided they do indeed suck. Then ask to be put on their do not call list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 They have called me several times. I did order from them once and browse their site. It has been awhile since I looked there and they haven't called me since the last time I browsed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merry gardens Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 My husband cleaned up my computer and he deleted over a hundred tracking cookies!!! Not just cookies--tracking cookies that watch where websites I visit. I thought that was yucky. But I've never had anyone call me. Which is creepier, the people who track you without telling you, or the ones who call you and let you know you've been tracked? Or is this all so very creepy that I should get off the internet right now and never return???? (Ha! Like that's gonna happen! :lol:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocelotmom Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 If they call, tell them you visited their site because you heard their materials really suck. You had to see for yourself, and after visiting their site you have decided they do indeed suck. Then ask to be put on their do not call list. I'd think something like "I was considering your curriculum, but I find this type of marketing creepy and intrusive and don't wish to support a company that engages in such practices" would be more effective, though possibly not as satisfying. In some ways it's a good wake-up call. What companies are similarly collating information but using it in a less blatant fashion? (Did anyone else go browse their website for the sole purpose of seeing if they call?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErinE Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 I'd think something like "I was considering your curriculum, but I find this type of marketing creepy and intrusive and don't wish to support a company that engages in such practices" would be more effective, though possibly not as satisfying. Agreed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunD Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 (Did anyone else go browse their website for the sole purpose of seeing if they call?) I am right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymonster Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Companies are becoming increasingly aggressive in mining data from users. One of the new interesting technologies allows companies to collect data that you enter into the site, but *decide against* providing. For example, if you are shopping for a new computer and you enter contact information in a form, but then decide against being contacted (say you back out of the form or close your browser), you may be called or contacted based on the information you typed in, even if you didn't push enter. And this is even if you do have good computer security. I was looking for rugs a few weeks back on Overstock, specifically purple rugs. I didn't enter any information, or purchase anything. The next day I was looking on a few other unrelated websites, and up popped the rugs I looked at the day earlier. It was a good reminder to clean out the persistent cookies on my browser. Unfortunately, it is increasingly impossible to remain anonymous online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGin Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 I've not had this happen, but...I asked for info last summer and since then a lady from there has tried to contact me several times. :glare: A funny came from this, however. The first time she left me a message, I had just installed an app on my phone that "reads" my voicemails to me though it's not very good since voice recognition transcribing technology has a long way to go. Her message came through as.."Hello, this is Julie from Hell...". :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmoe Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 ."Hello, this is Julie from Hell...". :lol: Love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfatherslily Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 That is terribly annoying and definitely overstepping, imo. The odd thing is that I've ordered from them twice, and they've never called me for any reason. Maybe they only call people who don't want their products. :001_rolleyes: I wonder if it makes a difference if you are on the National Do Not Call Registry? Between that and keeping my number unlisted, I have a very quiet phone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caedmyn Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Companies are becoming increasingly aggressive in mining data from users. One of the new interesting technologies allows companies to collect data that you enter into the site, but *decide against* providing. For example, if you are shopping for a new computer and you enter contact information in a form, but then decide against being contacted (say you back out of the form or close your browser), you may be called or contacted based on the information you typed in, even if you didn't push enter. And this is even if you do have good computer security. I was looking for rugs a few weeks back on Overstock, specifically purple rugs. I didn't enter any information, or purchase anything. The next day I was looking on a few other unrelated websites, and up popped the rugs I looked at the day earlier. It was a good reminder to clean out the persistent cookies on my browser. Unfortunately, it is increasingly impossible to remain anonymous online. Something like this happened to me too. I wanted to order a product from a company but the shipping charge was ridiculous (and of course they don't show you the shipping total until you enter a bunch of information). So I emailed them and asked them about it...and they sent me a Paypal invoice for the item with the correct shipping charge--but they sent it to the email linked to my PP account, which was NOT the email address I emailed them from. And the ONLY way they could have gotten that email address was putting two and two together from the info I'd entered when trying to purchase the product, because I never gave them that email address. It was creepy. Whatever happened to ethical business practices? All this information collection is overstepping the bounds IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda (Australia) Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 If they call, tell them you visited their site because you heard their materials really suck. You had to see for yourself, and after visiting their site you have decided they do indeed suck. Then ask to be put on their do not call list. I love that response - must use it sometime! But seriously, this is really creepy. I would never even think of doing such a thing - very weird. And unethical. Maybe I should browse their site, and see if they'll place a call to Australia? Then again, they'd probably call at 2 or 3am (had that happen before, with other companies), so best not to, I guess.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyGF Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 It is really easy to figure out who went to your website. You're never really anonymous online. :-) Emily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 It is really easy to figure out who went to your website. You're never really anonymous online. :-) But no other curriculum company so actively stalks viewers. I only had something similar happen once, when I accidentally clicked on a website about real estate in India (which I have zero interest in), and the next day I got an email. Never heard from them again, though, and definitely no phone calls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChandlerMom Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Just a reminder to: 1) check your security settings: should be cookies to originating ONLY 2) purge cookies and history at LEAST weekly (better daily). We can gather 500+ cookies per week!!! 3) reboot your modem at least weekly, if not daily, or issue the command to get a new IP lease. Otherwise you may always be browsing from the same IP and they DO track that. 4) be choosey about sharing your "location" data. SOme apps work better, but rarely is it needed. and most importantly, 5) never forget the internet is NOT really anonymous. ever. WRT #2: there are tricks were you can keep a cookie file that has just the folks you WANT to have cookies (banks, maybe FB or forums) so you don't have to re-login. then set a script to overwrite your current cookie file with your default minimalist file every night. It's easy to do with ical on a mac, and should be not to tough on a PC, tho I haven't even used Win7. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna A. Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 Just a reminder to:1) check your security settings: should be cookies to originating ONLY 2) purge cookies and history at LEAST weekly (better daily). We can gather 500+ cookies per week!!! 3) reboot your modem at least weekly, if not daily, or issue the command to get a new IP lease. Otherwise you may always be browsing from the same IP and they DO track that. 4) be choosey about sharing your "location" data. SOme apps work better, but rarely is it needed. and most importantly, 5) never forget the internet is NOT really anonymous. ever. WRT #2: there are tricks were you can keep a cookie file that has just the folks you WANT to have cookies (banks, maybe FB or forums) so you don't have to re-login. then set a script to overwrite your current cookie file with your default minimalist file every night. It's easy to do with ical on a mac, and should be not to tough on a PC, tho I haven't even used Win7. :iagree: IOW, block third-party cookies. Here's how: http://www.bobulous.org.uk/misc/third-party-cookies.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 :iagree: IOW, block third-party cookies. Here's how: http://www.bobulous.org.uk/misc/third-party-cookies.html This did not work for me on Firefox. I think it's out of date. Instructions here http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Disabling%20third%20party%20cookies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murmer Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 This did not work for me on Firefox. I think it's out of date. Instructions here http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Disabling%20third%20party%20cookies Thanks! I was trying to figure all this out yesterday on Mozilla and found a couple of choices like no tracking cookies but couldn't find how to block 3rd party stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChandlerMom Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 For those interested, I posted a 24hr cookie counting challenge on the general board: http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=329105 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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