One of the rare times I answered an unknown call, as it came in. Turns out this is not just a generic scam/spam, but Google Ads.
I'm sure it is Google-ad sales related, even if annoying as hell. It was a recording saying that they have tried to reach me "numerous times", by both phone and mail. (True, I've gotten occasional post cards and letters urging me to take advantage of some wonderful Google ad deal.
This recording went on to say that this will be my "final chance" (after maybe 5 years of calls?). I say Hallelujah! Feel free to stop. Thing is, I don't want Google ads and don't want to be listed (as I've now seen my name and address on Google maps with a pin). I don't advertise, and don't care if it's free (which it's been), I don't want a Google listing, now or ever. But they keep calling, and by "they" I mean from numbers all across the country, so I guess they farm out lists of potential buyers (I have various Google accounts, but only for browsing, online posts, etc.)
So it's Google ads and their marketing machine. Wish they'd obey do not call listings, silly and useless as that system is... but they'd say (if I use Chrome or Google) we "have a business relationship" exempting them, even if that's a stretch. Bet it's true for others, as well. FWIW
Call Type: Criminal Scammer not being deterred by telco spoof/robo-call protections
Called myDo-Not-Call listed (private/non-published) office phone. Violated my privacy and the law.
We need to call loudly for telco's to block auto-dialing, robo-calling, scammers and criminals. Now. They keep saying, for a year now....
All we can do, since "do not call" is ineffective - well, useless - is demand that the phone companies listen to customers and the FCC/FTC, and laws of morality, and deploy tools to stop robo-calling and spoofed calls, as well as targeted scams and spam.
There's a petition sponsored by Consumers Union- with thousands (millions?) of signatures, and Sen. Schumer has presented legislation to require this of telcos. Obviously other things are consuming Congress of late. And there is semi-fake "news" of FCC "ok'ing" blocking robocalls and spoofs (though that was already done last year). The telcos already have the technology, the blessing to share it, and the mandate of the people who WANT relief from spoofed CID numbers and criminals robo-calling with no brakes at all.
Why they - AT&T, Verizon et al - don't do it voluntarily is a mystery (or has a scary reason!). AT&T announce a year ago they were going to form a task force and deploy the technology to block and I.D. robo-calls and spoofs. It's simple. It's ready. Everyone wants it and their announcement of "we'll do it" has long expired from the realm of believability. When? How about immediately? Our telcos must listen to consumers! Once even one does, the competition will follow. Or does privacy and commitment to customers no longer matter? (Well, Congress says no, the Constitution's protections of privacy no longer DO matter, sadly.)
The CU Petition is free and easy, no privacy surrendered - please sign if you haven't and contact your "representative" if you think this deluge of intrusions needs to be stopped : https://consumersunion.org/end-robocalls/
Ask YOUR telephone provider when they're delivering the tools they promised and we've long demanded!