Mystery solved! I have been receiving numerous, incessant daily calls from this number. Always, no one on the other end of the line, and a click after about 5 seconds. This time, a female with an Hispanic accent started in with a spiel @ supporting the Canadian, Raphael Cruz Jr., at the upcoming Iowa caucus. She finished the screed, and asked if she could tell "Ted" I would be supporting him on Feb. 01. I told her not to tell him that, because I don't like to discuss my vote(s). Actually, I intend to attend the Repugnican caucus, and "support" the second generation American candidate from New York, because this is the most I can do to block the Canadian from becoming the Repugnican nominee. I will not discuss which candidate I would prefer to support in the general election, but, please, do not assume that candidate would be on the DemocRATic ticket. I also told the female with an Hispanic accent I would no longer be answering when 515-414-7374 appears on my caller ID. As I rang off, she was still arguing/pleading with me to support Raphael. (Geez! Every four years...)
In the 12 days since my previous post, this number has appeared on my CID no less than 50 times. A few minutes ago, I answered. This time, I interrupted the spiel to tell him that he had "reached an active crime scene investigation, I am Det. Jeffries of the local police department, and I need to know your relationship to the resident of this address who the coroner has determined to be the victim of homicide." He said, "Wait... what, uh..." And, then rang off double quick. He might be dismissed, or at the very least upbraided, for not referring the "detective" to a "higher" level.
Do I think this will stop them? No. These callers are sitting in a "boiler room" with automatic dialers, being monitored by "trainers," and "managers" to keep them on script. Most likely, many of them are "happy" just to receive the miniscule "wages" they acrue. Allowing oneself to be exploitated in such a manner is, ultimately, truly pathetic.