When I decide to answer, I don't say hello. I answer by saying "I'm not interested in what your selling" and hang up. I've been pretty lucky they don't me back.
Thanks to the reporting community for contributing helpful, educated and educating comments.
Called on land line .phone. I did not answer and no message was left.
This message is long, but PLEASE read:
SCAMMING AND PHISHING CAN ONLY SUCCEED IF THERE IS A MARKET; AND THE MARKET NEEDS TO BE EDUCATED AND REMOVED! The crooks and scamsters are bottom feeders that have no limits, conscience, respect or mothers. Only you are in control.
ON CELL OR LAND-LINE PHONE: If you don't recognize the name/number, DO NOT ANSWER... even if it appears to be a local call .. numbers are being spoofed. If you happen to answer, DO NOT RESPOND IN ANY WAY; NOT BY VOICE, SELECTED NUMBER OR CALL BACK! A legitimate caller will be identified, will leave a name, message, and call back number, giving you the option to respond. It will respect the DNC. You can file a complaint about offenders on the DO NOT CALL REGISTRY. Your registered number NEVER expires. Be sure to register your fax and cell phone too.
ON COMPUTER, SMART PHONE: PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR WIFI CONNECTION, THAT IT IS SECURE. If contact is in the form of a pop-up, text or email, DO NOT SELECT ANY LINK. Assume any response to be a hidden link or number... (to hell). After all, they are scammers and you dont truly know what you answered or consented to do, give or buy, (for which your number may be billed). If in the form of an email, open full address, take a screen shot then delete the email.
A legitimate company notification will identify you by name, will not ask for verification and never send you a link. No matter how real, authentic looking, promising or threatening it appears, DO NOT RESPOND. BE IMMEDIATELY SUSPICIOUS IF ASKED FOR ACCOUNT OR ANY VERIFICATION! BE SMART! DO NOT USE A CALL BACK NUMBER THEY OFFER...get your own... call your private contact number to this company and check. Follow their instructions. They will probably request a copy of the suspect communication in some form... varies. They need to know when they are being spoofed and reporting may protect you. If you suspect that your information may have been hacked, you can apply a "fraud alert" by notifying the 3 credit bureaus....it's free.
Texting is a way to get around those of us who do not answer. Do not respond. Copy the text for reporting.Take a screen shot of the entire text, including the phone number or short code. Save it, then delete the text. REPORT.
HAVE, KEEP UP TO DATE, AND USE, AN ANTI-VIRUS APP ON BOTH COMPUTERS AND CELL PHONES.
And don't waste your time with cute answers...there's no use or satisfaction and they don't care. They just move on to irritate or hook the next sucker. The longer you keep them on the line, the longer your access is open. Don't forget...they called you..they have your number and can get your address. We know they are crooks, but they might be crazy crooks having a bad day. If using the 855 exchange, you may be getting charged for the time and your fun.
Regarding the DNC, you do not have to answer. Just dialing your number is an offense. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission for any and all unwanted and/or unsolicited calls (cell or land-line), texts, scams, phishing, ID theft, and others at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/Information#crnt
SHRED! Be mindful of what information you might be giving away... (look at your receipts). Many financial institutions, communities, and senior centers offer this service free.
The legislators, service providers, carriers and all those with public access (TV), are sorely lacking in action for allowing this fraud to continue so rampantly and easily. They need to be made to take more responsibility for educating the public on recognizing, handling and removing the market.
EDUCATE YOURSELF AND SHARE.
At 1:02 p.m. PST just now. CID showed "AFLE" and robovoice said "Hello. This is Mike. How are you today?" There was also brief background noise. I did not speak. There was complete silence. This is second call; first and identical call was yesterday 11:53 a.m.
We have only had a couple of real contacts with this caller. The only real contact reporting here had someone labeled MIKE ask for donations for police. No police department in the country randomly calls people from across the country for donations. These are people fishing for valid phone numbers to add to scammer call lists. The best protection is to get one of the many varieties of call blockers. Don't respond in ay way to this caller.