I received 4 messages from this line. I was told his name was "Steve Martin" (though he has a thick middle eastern accent) and that this is in my best interest to comply and help us help you. I know this is a scam. But how do we make them stop!?!?! I know the IRS does not call.....they send letters.
It's only 11:00 am and I've gotten called by this number 3 times already!
Caller ID showed just the number, but the 3rd time Caller ID said Hawthorne CA.
I got exactly the same recorded message as "Annoyed & Mad".
I even called the number back hoping to pick a fight lol, but got a recorded voicemail.
I received 4 messages from this line. I was told his name was "Steve Martin" (though he has a thick middle eastern accent) and that this is in my best interest to comply and help us help you. I know this is a scam. But how do we make them stop!?!?! I know the IRS does not call.....they send letters.
Modern technology has given telescammers the tools to call you.
Since those telescammers are criminals, they ignore both the Do Not Call list and any request you might make.
Modern technology can also protect you, if YOU do a few simple things!
The most effective thing to do is to get a call blocker device, service or app.
Then, use it correctly.
Google "call blocker" for more information, or visit Amazon or similar sales site.
If you cannot afford or use such a tool, then:
* Do not answer calls from unknown numbers ... let them go to voicemail or answering service
* Do NOT return calls from unknown numbers! All that does is verify your phone number! And, in some cases, those return calls may cost $20 or more to complete.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/josephsteinberg/2 ... des-its-a-scam/
* If you have a "dumb" cell phone, assign the scammer's number to a group named "scammers" (or similar). Then, assign a silent ringtone to that group.
* Another option, for both smart and "dumb" cell phones: Assign a "silent ringtone" as DEFAULT. Then, assign your favorite ringtones to all known friends / family / business numbers. That way, you will hear rings ONLY from those you wish to contact! You will not hear scammers' rings, even if they change their number!
If you want to report potential fraudulent or scam calls, here are two pages of links to (mostly government) sites in Canada and the USA were you can report those scams, or learn more about them.
Look here first:
http://800notes.com/arts/I2neMkbUAAo/where-to-report-phone-crime
If the reporting site you wanted is not in the above list, try this one:
http://phonehelp.2truth.com/complaint_sites_rev.html
Once again, Slim, thanks for a very helpful post. I wish there was a way to make something like this the heading for this page, so everyone would see it before even looking up a number. I'm positively blown away by how many people will return a call to an unknown number, or press 2 or 3 or whatever to be "removed from the list," when all that does is tell the scammers "HERE'S ONE!" - a number to be passed on to other scammers.
The same "I'm on the Do Not Call list" comments also show how few people realize these are criminals, not legitimate businesses, so the DNC means nothing to them.
This is a great and valuable forum, but I wish it could be more proactive.