Received call on 1/18/13. Called number back and got a Verizon message that the number has been disconnected or changed. Obviously this is some kind of scam.
Some of the things I have learned over the months. As a retiree I have had more time to research than most.
Caveat: These are from other commenters, so read them with some skepticism as to their complete accuracy.
If you've ever gone online and bought pharmaceuticals or applied for a payday loan you will in all likelihood be added to a phone list used by people in countries like India.
These offshore telemarketers are not affected by the DO NOT CALL list.
They use Skype and other tricks to hide their identity and make it virtually impossible for the FCC to trace.
I've been told there is no point in filing a report with the FCC or your state or local Do Not Call registries. These criminals have hijacked (spoofed) the phone number they used to call you, so there is no way to trace it back to them.
They usually change their phone numbers every 1-3 months to get around call blocking by their victims.
The reason that you frequently don't get an answer when you pickup is because of robo calling. They ring a ton of numbers simultaneously and only respond (answer their phone) for those who answer quickly.
Some have said the phone companies make money off these low lifes. So there is not that much incentive to assist us in ending this annoying activity.
These callers make a small profit -- maybe .02 cents for every call that is a 'connection and conversation' -- so even if you do not fall for what they're selling they still make money.
Some have said that if you answer you get flagged as a 'live' target and your number will be added to phone lists that are shared with and sold to other telemarketers.
A frequent pitch is to tell you that you qualified for a free cruise, home security system, auto loan, payday loan or a promise of lower interest rates on your existing credit cards.
Received a call from this spammer number 20 min ago and did not answer...again. Not the first time, but the last. Put the number on my phone block list, best you can do also.
Got a call from this number today 11;57 and I missed it. Called them back and it said this person has a voicemail that has not been set up yet. Never give my number out and never usually receive calls from DC...wonder if it has to do with me looking up controversial stuff about govt, sandy hook, etc.