Call came in during dinner. Showing "Unknown Name"
Whenever a call comes in that we do not recognize as one of our regular contacts, we just look at the caller id and ignore.
Later, we go into our Verizon settings and add the number to the call block list.One of the problems that allows people to get scammed by crooks is that one should remember that if you have not entered into any sweepstakes, or applied for any credit, or shopped at any store (whether online, or in person) where you applied for their card or gave your email or phone number, then you are going to be scammed, spammed, and/or conned, for maybe all of the above.
The rule of thumb is that you know whether or not you have requested contact with the number that is calling or not. If it is not family, work, business related, emergency from your doctor or hospital, "Do not pick up" or answer.
When you answer the phone, you are confirming that your phone number is a valid number. When you select the option in an email for them to remove your name from their list, this allows them to remove your name from one of their lists and pass you on to another of their lists or list of associates. In other words, you are setting yourself up for indefinite contact from a multitude of partners. If ignored, eventually they will go away. It may even take up to a year, but eventually they do go away, because your phone number of email is not a prospective investment of their time.
Also, if you allow it to go to voicemail, that too, assures them that your number is valid as you have pick up message on your voicemail. By doing this, you allow them to harass you via voicemail as well, even though this is voicemail, eventually, this will become full and you will not be able to get important messages left in your voicemail. Just ignore the call.
Caller: PORT LUDLOW WA
"Also, if you allow it to go to voicemail, that too, assures them that your number is valid as you have pick up message on your voicemail. By doing this, you allow them to harass you via voicemail as well, even though this is voicemail, eventually, this will become full and you will not be able to get important messages left in your voicemail."
NO, that is incorrect because scammers and illegal solicitors do NOT leave a voice mail. They know your number is valid because it RINGS not because you or voice mail answers the call.
They can call my number all they want, I don't answer and I have a message saying I won't answer because I screen my calls; they will eventually give up and some other a-hole will start calling with the same result.
They are scammers. Not difficult to figure out. They're phishing for suckers to answer and fall for their schemes, and for curious suckers who will call back to see who called them, so they will fall for their schemes.