I do not pick the phone for any number I do not recognize, but it's still a pain when they call at 10 or 11 at night.
It has helped in that I use a call blocker where I can block entire area codes but wish there was not a limit of only 10 area codes. My blocker can block 1,500 phone numbers, but I have to take action on each unwanted phone number I would like to be able to block at least 100 area codes. In my case, I have blocked area codes around Albany (NY), NYC, and Washington DC. That eliminates at least 10 calls each day.
I once was being called by a company regarding gutters. After asking them to stop calling, which they ignored, I followed the instructions of my STATE Do Not Call registry. Ultimately, after being sent a letter by the state, which they ignored, they were fined $10,000. So, see if your state has a Do Not Call department. The national DNC registry is just being overwhelmed & that is why it seems not to be working. Follow your state's directions to the letter and see what happens.
I have written letters of complaint to my state’s Attorney General and to the FTC to complain about “legitimate” companies repeatedly calling me more than 70 times even after I had requested multiple times for them to put me on their Do Not Call List (Yes - I am registered on the FTC's Do Not Call List). My Attorney General’s office responded that the State does not get involved with Do Not Call Issues, it is an FTC problem. The FTC responded with a letter stating that they do not investigate Do Not Call List violations involving private phone numbers.
I wish the Federal Government would outlaw Caller ID spoofing (anybody in the country can legally spoof a different caller id) and hold the telephone companies liable if they do not stop it. If you cannot hide who and where you are, it my cut down on the scam calls.
For instance, each state's DNC list is a little different. The ones I checked will all try to enforce their rules, but the called person has to know what are those rules!
Your Attorney General may decide to pursue legal efforts against scammers, but not other calls - depends on their case load. You should determine who is the "enforcer" for your state's DNC provisions.
Please define "private phone numbers". Do you mean YOUR private phone?
>> I wish the Federal Government would outlaw Caller ID spoofing <<
They do, and have done so (with a few exemptions) since 2009. The US government actually passed an Act, called "The Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009", making such spoofing illegal. See http://www.fcc.gov/guides/caller-id-and-spoofing
for more information.
Called me. I came back with "Fraudi nvestigations - xxx Division. Be advised that this call may be recorded and traced." She came back with "I will put you on our DO NOT Call list" She sounded a little robotic. I will ssee if it does any good.