🤖 Secret phrases to get you past AI bot customer service

You want a human. For starters, don’t explain your issue. That’s the trap. You need words the AI has been programmed to treat differently.

• Nuclear phrases: When the AI bot asks why you’re calling, say, “I need to cancel my service” or “I am returning a call.” The word cancel sets off alarms and often sends you straight to the customer retention team. Saying you’re returning a call signals an existing issue the bot cannot track. I used that last weekend when my internet went down and bam, I had a human.
• Power words: When the system starts listing options, clearly say one word. “Supervisor.” If that doesn’t work, say, “I need to file a formal complaint.” Most systems are not programmed to deal with complaints or supervisors. They escalate fast.
  
  • Technical bypass: Asked to enter your account number? Press the pound key (#) instead of numbers. Many older systems treat unexpected input as an error and default to a human.

  
  

If direct commands fail with AI, be a confused human.

• The Frustration Act: When the AI bot asks a question, pause. Wait 10 seconds before answering. These systems are built for fast, clean responses. Long pauses often break the flow and send your call to a human.
• The Unintelligible Bypass: Stuck in a loop? Act like your phone connection is terrible. Say garbled words or nonsense. After the system says, “I’m having trouble understanding you” three times, many bots automatically transfer you to a live agent.
  
  • The Language Barrier Trick: If the company offers multiple languages, choose one that’s not your primary language or does not match your accent. The AI often gives up quickly and routes you to a human trained to handle language issues.

  
  

Use these tricks when you need help. You are calling for service, not an AI bot.

thecurrent.komando.com/p/secre…

backup: archive.ph/Xlzzf