just got a call from someone representing Dun & Bradstreet, asking to verify all sorts of information about my 'business'. I assume they find self employed individuals via tax records. Does anybody else get this call, and do you oblige? I verified name and address only.
I have been receiving their calls for information for the last 30 years. years ago I was stupid enough to give them information of which they distorted, improperly listed, and never corrected the information when I informed them of their errors. For several years following I refused to answer their questions. For the last 10 to 15 years, I hank up the phone as soon as they identify who they are.
At my "day job", Dun & Bradstreet regularly offers to sell us credit and ownership information on other companies we deal with. I asked a couple of pals who work at big companies about our own records, and one of them got me our information. It was 60% inaccurate at least. I examined the payment record, which detailed specific amounts at specific times, and the number of days we had paid in, and I was able to narrow it down to three companies that were feeding D&B information about us. From then on, I knew I could pay everybody six months late and still have a perfect rating if I'd pay 3M and the other two within 30 days (not that I cared, but you see what I'm saying). Overall, i'm not impressed with them and their badly-researched Big Brother business strategy. From a trader's point of view, don't tell anybody anything ever -- unless you have found the Holy Grail, in which case, you should immediately PM me. But don't tell D&B anything unless they're paying you more than your privacy is worth.
this is why two years ago, I ditched the home line and now I only have a cellphone. Expensive, yes, especially as much as I talk on it, but to me, a $200-$350 phone bill/ month is a small price to pay to eat dinner with my family in peace without solicitations. I was thinking it would be funny to have an experiment where I get a home phone line and document how many telemarketers call me every 1 month period. Of course, when they call, I'll just pull out my trusty air horn!!!! damn those telemarketers- ARRRRRR !!!!!!!!!
There is somebody publishing a directory of cellphone #''s, read it a few days ago,can't remember where, L.A.timesI think. D&B are worthless,more harm than good.