Call came in today, 4/5/13 at 6:30pm with a claim number, etc. I dialed the number and the message is that it is not in service! Anybody say scam!!! I will now report to the DNC registry. Thank you!
Thanks to slssepa on Apr 2 for the recommendation of a call blocker you like. I'll look into that. Mine lets the offender call ring once to register it into the device before blocking and hanging up on the caller. However, what I wish is that they cannot reach me at all. I hear the phone ring..... enough of an annoyance knowing someone unwanted is intruding. I have disengaged my answering machines so as not to even have hang-ups recorded or the ubiquitous nonsense they might spew.....
Thanks to Joe on Apr 4 also for taking time to list resources. Unfortunately, the onus is on us to deal with all this, which after all the effort amounts to nothing. Going through the onerous motions of recording, reporting and thinking it will help will only disappoint. The definition of insanity is repeating the same thing and hoping for a different outcome. Filing a complaint with any of these online agencies ---- they give you the forum so they give you the illusion of control.... yeah, right.
I have a blocker device on one line, disengaged my answering machines on 2 of them and actually pay a carrier to allow these scammers to have access to my home.... hmmm. I ask anyone legitimate that I want to reach me to call my cell, otherwise, if they can't reach me, put it in the mail.
Caller ID says Name Unavailable, which is my first clue not to pick up.
If we spent as much time contacting our Congressional Representatives as we do complaining on this website something might be done.
If you ask them to take you off their list, why do you think they would respect that? They wouldn't. They are already violating the Do Not Call list (which apparently means little). Don't answer, if you do answer, don't give any information.
I'm using my Optimum records for info as I find receiving 30 + Spam calls in a day a bit more than I can deal with. I disconnected my landline, so I have no caller ID. I just use my cell. This call shows up as coming from Belgium. Sure, I believe that.
Like the others hearing from this "Name Unavailable" I am disgusted that so little can be done to curb these professional phone flops.
Fed Up commented correctly that if we're going to do anything about these calls we're going to have to do it ourselves.
As Joe pointed out there are a ton of resources but regretably, I have found them entirely ineffectual in a real time practical way. Also, it's implied that using technology may be double edged. NOT SO !! Practitioners of this sort are unlikely to possess the means or know how to interfere with your service nor have interest in spending effort to attack YOUR number - there are millions of them with no obstacles !! Even if they were after you personally you can stop them cold.
I have tried a variety of devices/software, all of which work to varying degrees including some that are more costly than others to little good purpose. Here's what I recommend. Believe me -it works.
A cordless phone base unit with answering machine and three satellites. Any phone will do, this takes care of the whole house for me.
Computer with a voice modem. Software from Traysoft - Phone Tray Free or Phone Tray Pro. Both work flawlessly. The Pro version is easier to use. Modem & Pro Software ~$40-50 U.S.
A Digitone 10 Call Blocker. $100 U.S. You don't need this if you don't mind hearing the 1st ring.
Caller ID service from your provider.
Both the Digitone and Phone Tray provide blocking independently. The digitone supresses the 1st ring, after which the Caller ID info is provided and the devices will decide to hang up, answer the call, provide an answering message and hang up, or allow the call. You do not hear any ring for a blocked call but both the Digitone and computer log all calls.
Connect the computer modem to the phone line. Then connect the modem out to the Digitone In and the Digitone out to the Base Phone unit. Either can be off and the other will do its job.
If you do not mind hearing the 1st ring , the Digitone is not needed and given that you have Caller ID, a computer with modem using Phone tray free, you can do a very, very effective job for 0$.