If a caller is legitimate, they'll leave a number and a message and they won't keep calling.
If the caller is a scammer, then the number may be spoofed, so if you do reach someone, it may be an innocent party or it might be a non-working number.
If the caller is a scammer and you do get a real phone number, then all you are doing is confirming that they reached a valid number - and they'll sell your number to other scammers.
If a caller is legitimate, they'll leave a number and a message and they won't keep calling.
If the caller is a scammer, then the number may be spoofed, so if you do reach someone, it may be an innocent party or it might be a non-working number.
If the caller is a scammer and you do get a real phone number, then all you are doing is confirming that they reached a valid number - and they'll sell your number to other scammers.
The DNC list works VERY WELL, but only with legitimate telemarketers.
A lot of these scammers are located outside the USA. They may spoof their Caller ID so you don't know the real number or location from which they are calling. They may route their calls over the internet from other countries so law enforcement can't stop them.
Called my cell#. I turn all numbers into Local State and Federal Agencies then block them. Had Identity scam issues several years ago. Was advised to keep track and turn them in. Fortunate to have personal relationship with every level of law enforcement. Also advise financials of them having my number.