Those of you that let the calls roll to your answering machine, voicemail or worse yet answered the call you have just ensured you will receive more of these calls. Maybe not from the same number, but they’ve just identified your number as valid which assures more calls of these 'faux telemarketer calls'. (I call them faux telemarketer calls as they are generally not legitimate telemarketers, but simply scams!) Most of the initial calls originate from software (aka; ‘robocalls’) – once your number is identified as active, then a real person may be there on the follow up calls.
If you have the capability to ‘BLOCK’ the number that called – that is the best action. Since 2010 I have logged and currently block nearly 600 of these nuisance calls.
If you don’t have a blocking option, keep a phone with caller ID close by and simply hit ‘talk’ and ‘off’ simultaneously. This will reduce the number of nuisance calls, but not stop them.
If you really want to block them – in addition to a number of cordless phones available there is software that a layman can install. Of the over 500 calls I’ve blocked, I've only added 16 over the last 3 months. (Most of those are from a new series of numbers that were not previously blocked)
So the message is simple – blocking works…. Using the aforementioned processes I seldom have a second call from a given number. But, when I do - I love it when "Number Blocked" shows on my 'Caller ID!!! (When they call repeatedly it causes me to wonder about how stupid some of these dummies really are!)
Additionally; The Area Code, Exchange or even the entire number displayed on your caller ID probably does not accurately reflect the origin of a call as many of these crooks use software that disguises the originating number. (I've actually seen numbers reflecting my own Area Code and Exchange)
PS: I think Call Notes should add a 'Call Type' for 'Spoof' or 'Scammer Calls'!
I did not answer the call as had no name only the number as the name.
This is only my personal generic information about unwanted calls. I am only trying to help out here (to those naysayers who complain about my long winded rant).
"YOU ARE A TELEMARKETER, AND I DON'T DO BUSINESS WITH ANY COMPANY THAT USES TELEMARKETING AS A FORM OF ADVERTISING".
DON'T ANSWER UNKNOWN CALLS (If it turns out that you did not answer a call from someone you know, number not on this great web site, just call them back).
DON’T HAVE YOUR NUMBER REMOVED! (When you press the number to have your number removed, you confirm that your number is a working number and your known active number is sold to another scammer).
ROBO CALLS: There are 800 area codes with 9,999,999 numbers. Since Robots call every number in succession, they don't need to buy lists from anyone. The FTC receives 250,000 to 300,000 complaints per month, with robocalls responsible for around 60% of those complaints.
TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HOME PHONE: block, use call forward selective, or save calls to a phone address book as spam with a description (spam medical, spam alert, spam microsoft), and continue using this great site for information. MY HOME PHONE (Panasonic Link2Cell Bluetooth® KX-TGH263B LCD/2 Handsets) BLOCKS 250 NUMBERS AND THE ADDRESS BOOK HOLDS 3,000 numbers and the phone talks to you and says spam from across the room (like if you are up on a ladder or disabled).
TELEMARKETING: (and I quote) "The Center for Investigative Reporting joined two news organizations in an investigation of groups that use telemarketers to raise money and found that most of the money is paid to telemarketers, leaving the charities with little, if anything. (3% in some cases)
Not only that but reputable charitable organizations don't solicit donations by phone.
So it's good advice to remember to just say no to anyone who solicits over the phone unless you actually personally know the person calling." (My information adding to this from CNN is: http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/19/us/scam-charity-investigation/
Someone from the number 1-281-205-8938 keeps calling, and then when I answer there is only silence on the other end. The caller remains silent until I hang up on who ever it is.