Who Is Calling, Please?
Seems several people, myself included, are getting telemarketing calls from the number (617) 245-9602 lately. My caller ID says the call originates from IRI, and the telemarketer asks for donations for the Obama campaign.
That's all fine and well, except for one thing. The Obama camp is saying it doesn't know anything about IRI. I looked up the IRI (as they like to be called) and I got two possibilities. It's either an outfit called Integral Resources Inc., or the International Republican Institute.
One of these makes more sense than the other, of course. Integral Resources is a telemarketing firm out of Cambridge, Mass. The other might make sense to conspiracy theorists. The IRI's chairman of the board, according to the IRI Web site, is none other than Republican presidential candidate John McCain
IRI confirmed to the Independent during a phone interview Thursday that McCain is still chairman.
Best not to jump to conclusions. The most logical answer, according to some is that this is a telemarketing blitz. The aggressive telemarketer will tell you over and over that even if you've given the maximum to a candidate based on federal spending limits, their group is a third-party solicitor, so the cap doesn't apply and you can give them as much money as you want and more. If it walks like a duck... well, you know, it's probably a waddling scheme to get money for someone.
When you dial the number that appears on caller ID, a recorded message says, "We recently called you for direct marketing purposes. If you wish to be taken off the list press one now or hang up to exit."
A friend also researched and he found a message board where people are chatting about this same call and the same phone number. Check out what they are saying on Discussanything.com here.
One post says: "I've been perstered by a caller at 617-245-9602.... Turns out a lot of people have been pestered by this number lately, according to http://whocalled.us. Also, some (people) have been outright verbally abused by telemarketers claiming to be with the Obama campaign, looking for campaign donations from this number."
A call to the Obama office verified that the number is not associated with their organization, so the conspiracy theorists might be winning out on this one, and that will be interesting. The Obama camp says they have been made aware of the calls.
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