Reviewing everyone's entries, it appears that this phone "campaign" had started in early November, and that being on the Do Not Call (DNC) list has no effect. I agree with some comments that the "bots" are simply working their way thru a sequential list of phone numbers, with no regard to who is on the DNC list or not.
I agree that the best way to manage these calls is to review the caller ID and if you don't recognize the number or area code, simply do not answer and continue with life. I am hard pressed to think that the "telemarketer" strategy ever worked in the past, (OK, I am sure a few bought something or participated in these surveys) but with the advent of the internet... why are these people launching a phone "campaign"?
I feel better sharing my experience and just to be clear and contribute to this blog, here are my stats:
Date: Sunday November 20th
Time: 7:00p (Chicago time)
Source: Telemarketer "bot" (robot - automated system) called my work number
NOTE: (I have no evidence to support that this was a telemarketer "bot" since I did not answer the call)
Outcome: I was not at work and no message was left
Please, enjoy the holidays and don't allow a "phone" campaign to spoil the mood or even draw a second thought. I am looking forward to being with the family and enjoying the down time at home.
Warm Regards,
-Bob...
(I was a Professor, but I had to jump back in the job market)
(202) 677-3013
'Government agency' (NSA) that is 'cold-calling' sequential-numbers to get 'voice-print database' of 'associated-contacts' (human beings) to telephone numbers (and other related information, i.e. - time of day phone is answered, male/female, voice pattern, accent/dialect, etcetera). The best thing to do is pick-up and JUST LISTEN, (OR BETTER YET, mark these numbers as BLACKLIST/CALL FILTER numbers on phone services that offer this service) it will eventually hang-up and dial back at a later time and/or date. Part of a Homeland Security Project in cooperation with many other Government agencies.
*NOTE: Beware of 'spoofed' numbers. They could be local or long-distance caller-ID numbers to throw you off in your investigation of these calls.
Started out with something to the effect of "Do you think everyone should pay their fair share of taxes" (well yeah), then moved to "Would you like to decide when and how much tax to pay" (now, that's an interesting concept).
It quickly became apparent that it was from supporters of a National Sales Tax which is in no way fair and imposes a regressive burden on those with the smallest income.