I thought of that idea. Got a Verizon phone installed and kept getting calls for the person that had # before. I checked out number and it was someone on other side of town. I answered local calls and informed them of the change. Different area code I didn't bother. After a while they stop. If I had gotten another number the calls would just start all over for someone else.
Very rude person called repeatedly requesting garnishment information from a former employee. Did know where he was calling from until I Goggled the number. I thought it was a scam and not a reputable company. The caller sounded impaired, it took so long for him to get his thoughts together that I kept hanging up on him!