Just got a call from this number, I live in the Chicago area. It says from Pacifictel.
The first time I saw it I just turned my phone on and off fast to disconnect them (I'm so so so sick of these calls). They immediately called right back, so I did it again. They called back a THIRD time right away, so I turned off the answering machine and just let it ring. It rang 9 times and stopped.
Remember when there was such an outcry about Spam? It went before Congress, there were laws passed, some major Spammers were hunted down, busted, and sent to jail?
So why isn't the FCC or SOMEONE doing it to these callers? If we post on this site and others that it's the same numbers and the same scams, it's not a matter of the information not being out there or too time consuming to get. The entire population of the U.S. is being harassed and stalked via their phones every hour on the hour and no one seems to think this is an issue.
Fact 1 through 3: Why don't they work?
Answer: These lowlifes use Caller ID spoofing! THat means the numbers they use are spoofed (and not actual numbers). Simply blocking spoofed numbers won't work because they aren't the real numbers calling! Same applies regarding filing with the FCC/FTC or on the NDNC Registry site! You're only giving them fake numbers in those complaints!
Fact 4 - Correction: THESE PIGS ARE NOT, I repeat NOT, telemarketers. They are criminals out to get what they can off you! That's why pretty much everyone has said they are a SCAM!!! (I.E., illegal operators out to deceive whoever they can out of their personal info to all the way to their identities. This particular scam is an old one!!!) So, NO. They won't stop calling! They'll increase in the number of harassing calls they make to you, pass your number onto other like minded pigs and it will just get worse from there!!!
Fact 5 - Enough join in. And yes, there are investigations under way (just like with several other well known phone scams recently). Failing to take any action only allows these criminals free reign to continue their scams and not receive any just penalty for commiting their crime! Would you do the same if someone made their way into your home or at least picked your pocket stealing your wallet with your DL, SS# and the like in it? Wouldn't you report such a crime to the proper authorities? No real difference with these phone scams! It's just that it's over the phone! And what about those who might not be so aware? Let these pigs scam them? I think not! Doing nothing about it is no solution!
Fact 6 - agreed! They are there more for businesses than for the consumer.
As to blocking them ... see my answer elsewhere here. Caller ID spoofed numbers aren't the real ones calling. You can go ahead and block them but the real numbers making the call will still get through!
Many of us DO have call blocking phones btw. Have tried that, been there done that. Has to be an actual live number for that feature to be effective! Myself, I have a panasonic phone with such a feature (that's the one these scum called me on earlier today. And I had blocked their other spoofed number)! They still got through!!!
The problem isn't anyone being a victim! It's in stopping these type of calls!!! No one here is a victim, we're all doing all we can to AVOID that! NONE of us have fallen for their scam once!!! If we did THEN we'd be a victim!!!
Enough media coverage, enough filing and enough to wake up our elected officials (State and Federal) and it may well be enough to bring a halt to this reign of phone harassment and the scam artists behind them!!!
They use:
• Robo-dialers (now illegal to use)
• Caller ID spoofing (for malicious purposes)
• Repeatedly violate FTC/FCC/Do Not Call laws
• Refuse to stop calling when you tell them to stop (that's harassment right there, and a crime)
• Device a fake 30 second/3-4 question survey then switch to their so-called pitch about a fake cruise just to get around the Do Not Call/FTC laws to make their illegal calls
• They also use pre-recorded messages which are illegal for telemarketers to use
We received a call from this number 4/28/2012 at 9 am. They left a message that went something like this " This is Mr. Kent I have received as it is associated with a very important matter in our office. You need to call 866-295-9370. It is very important that you call us right away." Guess what folks... I looked them up on the web, found this site, and now sharing my event with you.
My late father was correct, he lived his life in the "Better" times of our Nation and The World, because it is all going down the crapper FAST!.