Phone rang twice, the Caller ID showed up as 'St Louis'. Seconds later, phone rang again, this time CID said my name and my phone number. It was a robo-recording that greeted me generically, saying to press 9 to be connected to a representative to discuss 'lowering my credit card interest' rates. I pressed 9 and was connected to a man who didn't identify himself, but he had a very noticeable accent. I asked to be removed from their calling list. He asked, don't you want to lower your credit card interest rates? I said, no, take me off your calling list and then I asked how my number showed up as the one calling. He answered saying that it was by using a very advanced secure network.
I repeated to take my number and name off their calling list. He politely answered he would and "have a good day".
My speculation is that the number that called me initially, 314-828-1039 was a robo-center computer that captured my phone number and mimicked it to call me again.
Missouri has very strict 'do not call' enforcement, and I am wondering, if my theory is correct, if what they did is even legal?
The do not call list is apparently just a huge joke since it hasn't stopped anyone from calling me either on my cell phone or home phone. Not sure why we even have it since when I've reported callers nothing is ever done. All of should be millionaires if they really enforced it and made those jerks pay up to the people who complain.
>> The do not call list is apparently just a huge joke <<
This is a rather long answer to some posters who seem to think the scammers use the DNC list to obtain numbers to call, or who think the DNC list does not work. If you are not one of those people, consider exiting this informative lesson now.
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Since you are still here, you need some help. Allow me to present it in a very simple fashion ... not to insult your intelligence, but to attempt to get the idea across to even those who have difficulty understanding more complicated answers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Robodialers for Dummies ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Can you count?
If you answered "yes", that is a good start. Try counting from 1 to 10 now. I will wait.
..........
Finished? Good.
I want you to think "0" instead of "10". Got it?
Now, get a piece of paper and a pen or pencil, and write down those 10 numbers. Here, I will help you, in case your forgot:
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Now get ready to write down some more numbers. I want you to write them down in the following format:
ABC-DEF-GHIJ
Yes, I know those are letters, but I want you to use numbers, instead.
Think of a number between 0 and 9 ... pick one from the list I gave above, if you wish.
Write it down, instead of the "A", above
Do that nine more times, writing it down instead of the other letters.
Now, look at the result.
Does it ring a bell?
It should, because you just wrote down a phone number!
Mr Computer is very good at making numbers.
Mr Computer can do what you just did in a fraction of a second.
In other words, Mr Computer can make and dial phone numbers VERY quickly.
Spammers and scammers who know about Mr Computer do not need to register and buy the DNC list.
Spammers and scammers who know about Mr Computer can even dial "unlisted" numbers, or "private numbers" or "brand-new numbers you just got"!
The DNC list is not a magic switch that blocks these calls from reaching your phone. It is merely a list.
There, now you know all about how spammers can dial YOUR phone number, even if it is unlisted, and even if only relatives know it, and even if it is on or off the DNC list.
I hope that helps prove the DNC list DOES work! It helps prevent calls from registered / legitimate telemarketers, but it is not able to stop calls from telespammers. It is also NOT designed to stop political callers (who usually get the numbers from voter registration lists), calls from charities, or some other companies, such as debt collectors.
Again, I hope I did not insult your intelligence ... if you had any to insult.