I used to get calls like this more than 10 times per week. Here are some notes about how these nuisance callers work.

Most of these operations are using VoIP (Voice over IP) and in such systems, the calling system can set any CallerIDNumber or CallerIDName that they want. I call my grand children at Christmas time and set the CallerIDName to "Santa Clause". You really have no idea who these people really are based on the call display information.

A lot of these calls come from call centers contracted for a particular purpose. The call center assigns a number of operators (3, 5, 10, 20) to log in to a Call Queue. A robot dialer then dials numbers, either sequentially, or from a list of numbers. When someone answers the call, it is routed to the Call Queue. If all of the operators in the queue are busy, then you get no response when you say hello. You get frustrated and hang up. Otherwise, the next available operator gets connected to the call. If you don't answer the call, no message is left for you.

These calls bothered me so much, I finally decided to look for a real solution. I ended up signing up with a VoIP provider and porting my number over to them. The provider I use has tons of features for thwarting such calls such and unlimited call block entries, blocking by area code, blocking all and then allowing only white list entries through. But, the most effective tool for me was to set up my VoIP line to require a number to be entered before my phone would actually ring. When a call comes in, the caller gets a message: "Hello, please press the number 1 to complete this call, robot dialers, good-bye". If the caller does not enter "1" then the call is sent to voice mail, just hangs up, or your choice of several other options.. Robot dialers will not know how to Press 1, and the call just gets dropped.

Since I implemented this several months ago, I have not had one call from a robot dialer, it really works. And to make things better, my phone bill is only about 25% of what is was with my old landline provider. Also, there are no long distance charges within North America, more savings.

So, YES, there is a way to nuke all of these calls and save a good chunk of change as well.

P.S. VoIP services require a high speed Internet connection.