Click on the associated "Info" line under any statement to read why you should NOT perform the listed action:
Answering the phone when the caller's number is unfamiliar.
Info01Instead of answering, let the call go to voicemail or answering machine. Legitimate callers will usually leave a message.
Pressing a number "to be taken off the list"
Info02That works for legitimate telemarketers, but, if you were on the Do Not Call list, legitimate telemarketers would not have called you in the first place. Pressing a number on a call from a telespammer merely confirms you answered the phone and will follow scammer's instructions. That make your number more valuable for even more spammers!
Returning the call.
Info03At best, returning a scammer's call merely confirms your phone is "live", and your number will be added to a list that will be used by even more scammers. At worst, the call will cost you additional fees, if it is from a foreign country, such as Jamaica (876 area code). Also, scammers are now spoofing Caller IDs, so the number you see may not really be the number that called you. It might belong to an innocent, third party.
Arguing with the caller:
Info04Call center employees have probably heard your argument many times. They may either continue to try to scam you, or they will hang up ... but will also make sure some other scammer calls your number, later.
Blowing a horn or whistle into the phone:
Info05Will irritate the scammer. The scammer may then add your number as a "spoofed Caller ID", so others think YOU are calling them, and YOU may hear retaliatory horns or whistles if the irritated called person calls YOU back!
Forwarding the call to a government office.
Info06Not too swift. All that does is tie up a line at the govt office, and record YOUR number as the forwarding number! Realize that your congress person knows phone scams are a problem, and also knows the FCC and FTC have been assigned the task of upholding the laws concerning this problem. Instead, you should report the problem via normal channels to the FTC or FCC.
Giving or forwarding the supposed scammer's phone number to other scammers.
Info07May not be a good idea. The first scammer might have used a spoofed phone number, and, if you give it to other scammers, all you are doing is causing more calls to and problems for an innocent person.
Getting a new phone number
Info08Eventually, after getting many scam calls, some people think their only recourse is getting a new number. That is not true. The "new number" is probably somebody else's "old number", and will come accompanied with its own baggage (and calls).
Giving up your landline (if you have a landline)
Info09The scammers and spammers call BOTH cells and landlines. Although it might seem easier to block such calls on a cell, there are landline devices and procedures that can be used to limit or block calls. Keeping your landline means you would not have to tell all your relatives & friends that phone number is no longer yours.
What you SHOULD do:
If you are disturbed by frequent calls from scammers / spammers. obtain a call blocker app, device, phone, or service. Google is your friend. Remember, the Do Not Call list is designed to prevent calls from legitimate, registered telemarketers, but scammers / spammers are not legitimate telemarketers, do not register, and they ignore the DNCL or your requests!
If you wish to report scam/spam phone calls, look elsewhere on this site for an Article, entitled "Where to Report Phone Crime". (It may appear in the column to your right).
For a more frequently updated list of complaint sites, with links to government web pages, look here:
http://phonehelp.2truth.com/complaint_sites.html
Remember
The DNC list is NOT a call blocker!
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Please reply to this post, to let us know you read it, or have taken suitable actions to protect yourself.