Download the "Disconnect Ring Tone" and play it whenever you get a call such as this. Note there is a pause between your picking up your phone before someone answers. This is the computer determining whether it has reached a valid number. If you play the disconnect tone, the computer automatically removes you from their calling directory.
Another call from Washington left no message on my answering machine. So it's got to be a scam.
They called before and left no message. never press any number on your phone.phone to get connected. NO way, when you do that you could be connected to a long distance over seas number you'll be charged for, this is one of the ways these scams make their money, even if you hand up they don't care they made money by you having to pay for that call. Only press numbers of a place you know for sure (or bank etc or a number you called that is legitimate)- and again that red flag should go up when offered a big prize for a few seconds up your time. I just hung up, I hope you do to.
On my called ID it displayed Washington.NOTE:
If the area code is 284, 809 or 876, you've called Jamaica, the Dominican Republic or the British Virgin Islands, new hotbed homes of telephone scams. Similar cons are also run out of other Caribbean islands.
For these calls, you'll typically pay $1.49 to $3.99 per minute, depending on the plan and carrier. You're never told this, but the numbers function like American "premium rate" lines that use the 900 area code, with sky-high rates that are split between phone companies and those who operate the lines.
Dial one of these Caribbean numbers and chances are you'll get pitched for some scam. But the thieves' real goal is often just to keep you on the line as long as possible and maximize their take. You'll endure long holds, frequent transfers and lots of small talk. Result: A call lasting just a few minutes can cost more than $20, a charge you discover only when your phone bill arrives.
Same story as others. Robo caller gives FBI warning, then offers a free security system install in exchange for a small sign in the yard. My number is on the DNC list.
Got call from 206-496-0985 on Wed. 9-19-12 @443 PM and the call was listed with the Caller ID as 'Washington'. The Robo-call started with = "The FBI states that a house is broken into every 15 minutes. If U allow us to put a sign in your front yard we will put in a state of the art Security System Free". It goes on instructing U to press "1 for more information". So of course I pressed 1 and a female came on the line asking " R U Interested in the free Security System?" And I answered "Yes" she then said "Just a moment" and it was like she put me on hold, (but I think she actually had read some info on her screen about past background on previous calls to my number), and disconnected me. I think these people also repeat call just to attempt to harass and tick people off.
Guess they are getting really SCARED of and have documented my "SCAMMER HORN".
Will get them with the "HORN" next time.
Have had 2 calls from this number - first about three weeks ago. Pressed "9" and it terminated the call. When they called back today, pressed "2" for more information, got a human being, told him I was on the federal "do not call list", then blew a referee's whistle as loudly as I could into the mouthpiece before he could hang up. That technique has worked on the "reduce your student loans" scam, so maybe it will on this one too.