If you ever posted your phone number on a social site, or used it when ordering online, or typed it in an insecure computer, or gave it to a friend whose computer was attacked, or filled out an entry form at a fair or a supermarket, or used it on a contest entry form, or put it on a postcard for a magazine or purchase, or were among those whose information was hacked from some organization, or obtained a "new" phone number ... your number is probably known to the scammers.
Allow me to present another possibility 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. Click on the "Info" line, below, to learn about that possibility.
Info 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 ten 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. It is NOT a call blocker!
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; or some companies with which you have done business in the last 18 months.
Here are two pages of links to (mostly government) sites in Canada and the USA were you can report phone scams, or learn more about them.
* First, look elsewhere on this site for an Article, entitled "Where to Report Phone Crime". (It may appear in the column to your right).
* For a more frequently updated list of complaint sites, with links to government web pages, look here:
http://phonehelp.2truth.com/complaint_sites.html
For the latest news on US government and industry efforts to stop illegal or unwanted robocalls, see:
http://phonehelp.2truth.com/initiatives.html
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Please reply to this post, to let us know you read it, or have taken suitable actions to protect yourself.