If you are like me, you know that a call from the 206 area code that you don't recognize is often a Zillow solicitation and one from area code 415 is Trulia. We've learned this over the years because of the barrage of calls we receive from their salespeople. 

Not long ago, I got a call from the 718 area code, which I recognized as originating from one of the outer boroughs of New York City. Since the Bronx is one county away, I answered the call expecting to speak with an agent or consumer. No, it was some guy from Trulia. I asked if he was in New York, and he said he wasn't- they had a new system to improve call quality. I couldn't talk and ended the call. I have received a few more calls since then, and I keep falling for the 718 spoof on the caller ID. 

I think that is bull. I don't buy for a hot minute that they care about call quality. I unfortunately heard everything they said in sales pitches before. It is bad enough to get calls in the middle of my day from hopped up 20-somethings promising real estate riches if I buy their offering. It is even more oily to call from a blocked number so I can't decide to interrupt my current task to answer. But to call from a local area code when you aren't even here is pretty deceptive. 

Spoofing is a terrible way to do business. If you have a good thing to offer, call from your actual number and be real. Masquerading under a new, local number because YOU have trained me to avoid you doesn't fix things, it calls your integrity into question even further. Trulia may offer a fig leaf that they use this 718 exchange for place beyond my market. But if they use a Pittsburgh area code in Western Pennsylvania or a Miami area code for southern Florida then they are just employing subterfuge. 

That is a crummy way to do business. And I am not buying. 

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Posted by J Philip Faranda, Broker-Owner on 04/10/2012 02:48 PM   Comments (35)   Advertising in the Online Marketing Channel   trulia, spoofing  
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35 Comments on Trulia is Now Resorting to Spoofing Phone Numbers

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

APR
10
2012
1,116,433 Points 117 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I got two today and I thought it was a client looking timely info - while I was with another client.  Can you say......not happy aboat the interruptions.
6:15pm • #16
1,126,046 Points 90 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Yes that is bull. Improving call quality? Bullshit. It's about trying to trick you.
6:33pm • #17
106,206 Points 3 Featured Posts

Got a call just yesterday from Zillow. But when I went to Zillow I was underwhelmed with their website.  Only 29 listings for my town showed up. Now I'll just ignore their calls or hang up if the spoof me.
7:07pm • #18
941,827 Points 94 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp
Here here. While I have never heard of spoofing, I certainly agree that it is not a nice wayto do business.
7:37pm • #19
270,989 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Phil, isn't it amazing how many companies look to grow on the backs of Realtors?  I get calls from the strangest area codes each and every day.  I just don't know which ones to answer and which ones to ignore. Today, I decided against a strange one and unfortunately, I missed an agent from Active Rain who is offering to mentor me.

I wasn't too happy with myself.
8:41pm • #20
347,786 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hmmmmm . . . I have often gotten the distinct impression that you are not a fan of Trulia or Zillow.  Go figure :)  But the one that frosts me the most is the one that tells me that I can buy Google ranking for my zip code.  Oh, brother . . .
8:49pm • #21
APR
11
2012
160,580 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Obviously if we're ignoring these calls, we're not interested.  Calling from a local number just to get us to answer the phone is not going to make us want to use the service MORE, it'll make us want to use the service LESS.  duh.
5:06am • #22
488,378 Points 4 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

You gotta give them some credit for improving their technique to get us to answer the phone calls despite not appreciating who it is that is actually making the call.
6:37am • #23
1,139,539 Points 154 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

yes, I would be annoyed, too.

I think there is a way to make your side bar link to Trulia (and/or others) no follow so at least they don't get the google juice.  There's a post on it here somewhere. sometime when we are together, we can look it up.  I think I need to adjust some of my links, too.
7:00am • #24
648,394 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Good morning Phil. How do you really feel about this? Sometimes I just don't get it and the reference to the 20 something. Suggested!
8:24am • #25
813,493 Points 243 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Thanks you guys. For the record, I am a paying customer of many of the syndicators, including Zillow and Trulia. But I still retain the right to call out practices I object to. 
12:11pm • #26
396,963 Points 17 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Phil, I have avoided all 415 calls for a LONG LONG time. For me, its usually a website marketing company that says they can get me to page #1 for my area (which I already am) or they are trying to sell me a new website since my current company is not doing anything for em... but of course I ask 'well then how did you find me'. Either way, they keep calling. I ignore all 415 calls and wait for voicemail. I dont have time for sales calls at this time.
1:30pm • #27
587,340 Points 106 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

There are spoofs and crooks everywhere - but it seems really dumb for Trulia to go to such lengths to annoy their own customer base.

Yesterday I had a call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft. He wanted to warn me about a "helacious" amount of downloads going to my computer. It could crash any minute.

I listened for a minute and then told him that since he was calling on an unplublished number I knew he was bogus, so goodbye.
10:36pm • #28
APR
12
2012
216,556 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

"Hopped up 20-somethings promising real estate riches if I buy their offering"  -- what a perfect description!   I told the most recent one that it's my policy not to buy anything I'm offered on the telephone.  He continued talking, and when he got to his next pause I said, "You're not listening to me.  I will not buy what you're selling.  It's against my policy."   He hung up without saying goodbye.
5:08am • #29
2 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Grrr...So tired of the sales calls. Priding myself on always trying to answer my calls for my clients and interested buyers it only adds to my fury when it is a sales call masquerading as real person. Yes, I said it, a real person. 
6:36am • #30
1 Featured Post Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Phillip:  Can't wait to meet ya' at our Rainmaker mixer at Unos soon!  They are just SHAMELESS.  I got on the cell phone "no marketing call list" about two years ago and it really helped.  I think some phones can actually block calls from a specific number, but they may be rolling on your incoming CID and you don't want to miss a 718 client call.  If I pick up, I just tell the 20-something "Thanks for calling, but I was with Homeland Security and you need to take my number off of your list, NOW."  They stutter and say they won't call again.  Hang in there!
5:16pm • #31
APR
15
2012
590,158 Points 58 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Philip -- I must admit I hadn't heard the term spoofing but certainly experience it from a number of the sources you mention.   It just isn't right.
7:08am • #32
APR
18
2012
367,527 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hey J Phil,

The other way to think about it is does crazy calls keep someone employed.  :)

Best of success to you this year!
10:40pm • #33
MAY
23
2012
1,360,897 Points 93 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I misssed this.  I have them blocked and they must not want to reach out and touch me... that is OK.
7:14am • #34
JUN
02
1,519,636 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

The solicitations from any and all online providers is enough to drive you mad.  And this phone number tactic is just down and dirty.
7:41am • #35

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J. Philip Faranda (J. Philip R.E. LLC) Westchester County NY

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Phil Faranda is broker and owner of J. Philip Real Estate LLC in Briarcliff Manor, NY. Since founding the firm as a sole practitioner in late 2005, the team has grown to over 30 agents & closed 350+ transactions valued at $140 million. He is in his 4th term as Vice President of the HGMLS. This blog commentary is geared toward consumers and industry colleagues alike. You can reach him at (914) 723-8900.
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