by Sandra Quevedo

Created on: May 15, 2009   Last Updated: May 19, 2009

In the "midst" of a recession cutting back on entertainment is unavoidable. Telemarketers have become a new source for FUN for many. Going to the movies with your loved one about $22.50, dinner afterwards approximately $45.00. "Reversed harassment" on a telemarketer - - PRICELESS.

I am sure like millions of Americans you are sick and tired of putting up with endless amount of calls from the "oh-so-friendly" telemarketers. I get my call between 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., right smack in the middle of "dinner time."

What-ever-happened to the "DO NOT CALL LIST" who's "reversed" scam was that? I must have signed up a million times. In retrospect; and unknowingly we all got "conned" into signing up for things like junk mail, credit cards, and our own burial plots? Adding insult to injury, I now get calls on my house phone, my office phone and also on my cell phone. How in God's name did they get all of this information? Perhaps, from the "Do not Call List?" This is truly such a violation of one's privacy.

In any event, I believe every household in America should a "reverse harassment kit" sitting right by the phone. We need to be ready to prey on the unsuspecting victims - as telemarketers prey on us! We don't want to take it anymore.

Here are my top five tips under the "Humor" category for "Death of a Telemarketer!"

First, be prepared, you don't want to be caught off guard. when "unknown caller" shows on your ID display. Take pencil and paper (now) and make a list of intrusive questions YOU would like to know about your favorite telemarketer. Just pretend to care about them as much as they care about you - - isn't that why they call you so much?

Two: be prepared to speak quickly. Some of these telemarketers, especially the "vintage" ones, already know to hang up the minute the reversal of roles begins. Take it from an expert; I do it all day every day - - Monday through Friday at work. Also something else that works well is interrupting their flow. They verbally "rush you" by not taking a breath when they start to speak.

Three: develop a personal strategy. Be-friending the victim works quite well for me. Ask them for their name. It is a fact that repeating someone's name (back three times) in a conversation will create a sense of trust between you and your "opponent!" This will also help you keep the caller on the phone a bit longer, giving you an opportunity to throw a "jab" their way as soon as they get blinded by your set of questions.

Four: Do a practice

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