NOTE: Even though the call I just got was a hang-up, before I could even answer, I researched it, and so I know the caller is: Creative Solutions Marketing | Reward Redemptions | Neighborhood Resolutions
Here, then, is my report:
I just got a call -- just two rings, and then a hang-up -- from 305-209-9901 on an AT&T cell phone, the number of which quite literally no one on the planet (except my wife, and AT&T, of course) has. I use and always give out a Google Voice number (which is forwarded to my cell; and using the phone's Google Voice app I can easily call back out on my Google Voice number) so, again, no one has my cell's real/native number; everyone only has my Google Voice number (and my toll-free number); and, of course, through the Google Voice web interface, I can easily control how any calls in to that number are handled.
And even if I accidentally dial-out on the cell's native number, it's auto-caller-ID-blocked (which 800 numbers can punch through, though, so remember, everyone: never count on callerd-ID-blocking to protect you if you call any toll-free number). Some kinds of non-toll-free numbers may also punch through caller-ID blocking, too, so never assume you're fully protected by it... hence yet another reason why I never call-out on my phone's native number; and only expose my Google Voice number to the world.
Google Voice, by the way, is also useful if you change cell providers and get a whole new cell number. If you've been using Google Voice all along, so that no one knew your cell's real/native number anyway, then it's easy to forward your Google Voice number to the new phone, and get the Google Voice app for it, and everyone will still know how to reach you because the only number they've ever known for you is the Google Voice number, and even though you have a new phone and native number, they can still reach you; and your calls to them, through Google Voice, still show-up properly on their phones as coming from you.
My point, in any case, is that the 305-209-9901 caller was obviously predictive-dialer/robo-calling, using a dialer that's just running through the phone numbers, in numeric order, to see which ones will ring a normal ring versus which ones ring and then cut right to a not-in-service tone and message. Obviously, then, the caller is creating a list of valid phone numbers so that it can turn around and sell them to someone. That both my phone's native number, and my Google Voice number (and my home number, too; and my wife's cell's number) are all in the DO NOT CALL registry obviously matters not.
Those whose number IS in the DO NOT CALL registry, though, and who get a call from 305-209-9901, should definitely go to...
...and file a complaint. The more complaints there are, the more likely appropriate law enforcement authorities will go after the caller. It's a quite huge fine per call for the caller who ignores the DO NOT CALL registry. Quite huge! And state attorneys general offices will, indeed, pursue it if enough people complain.
Most cell phones will allow any incoming calling number to be blocked. With most Android phones, simply go to the call log and find the 305-209-9901 number listed there; then press on it to open its own record in the log; then press on the little rise-up menu button at the left, on the bottom to cause a little menu to rise-up from the bottom; and somewhere on that menu should be an option like "add this number to the rejection list" or something like that. Press that option, and then press the little "back" button (usually second-from-the-right at the very bottom) to back all the way out of the call log. That should do it. The precise steps on your phone, of course, may vary; and so you may need to either figure it out or, heaven forbid, consult the user manual.
Of course, if 305-209-9901 called your Google Voice (or any similar) number which has a nice web interface, and the ability to block an incoming call from it, then, by all means, go do so. In Google Voice, be sure to choose the blocking option that plays the "number has been disconnected or is no longer in service" auto-message. The robo dialer, upon hearing that, will (or at least should) permanently remove the number from its call list. However, since this call was strictly a fishing trip for the caller, to see what numbers ring, and what numbers are not in service, then it's obviously not going to respect and do what I just described.
Whatever you do, though, don't call back the 305-209-9901 number. Just block it, and move on with your life. When/if the company starts calling from a different number, then come back to a place like this to verify that it's what you think it is, and then block it, too, from your call log. Life's too short to worry too much about it. Just quickly research, then block, then move on. Simple as that.
Hope that helps.
Gregg L. DesElms
Napa, California USA
gregg at greggdeselms dot com