Quote:Picked up my blow horn...And they got the siren!
A lot of posters on 800notes complain they get many calls from scammers.
A few posters state they get hardly any.
Why the difference? Here are possible reasons:
If you believe any of the following alternatives reduce spam calls, click on the associated "Click Me" button to learn why that may not be true. (Javascript must be enabled).
Shucks, exercise your clicker finger and read 'em all!
Answering the phone when the caller's number is unfamiliar. ◄▬ ◄▬ ◄- ◄▬
[spoiler=Click Me]Instead of answering, let the call go to voicemail or answering machine. Legitimate callers will usually leave a message.[/spoiler]
Pressing a number "to be taken off the list"
[spoiler=Click Me]That works for legitimate telemarketers, but legitimate telemarketers would not have called you in the first place, if you were on the DNC list. Pressing a number on a call from a telespammer merely confirms you answered the phone.
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Returning the call.
[spoiler=Click Me]At best, returning a scammer's call merely confirms your phone is "live", and your number will be added to a list that will be used by even more scammers. At worst, the call will cost you additional fees, if it is from a foreign country, such as Jamaica (876 area code). Also, scammers are now spoofing Caller IDs, so the number you see may not really be the number that called you. It might belong to an innocent, third party.
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Arguing with the caller:
[spoiler=Click Me]Call center employees have probably heard your argument many times. They may either continue to try to scam you, or they will hang up ... but will also make sure some other scammer calls your number, later.[/spoiler]
Blowing a horn or whistle into the phone: ◄▬ ◄▬ ◄- ◄▬
[spoiler=Click Me]Will irritate the scammer. The scammer may then add your number as a "spoofed Caller ID", so others think YOU are calling them, and YOU may hear retaliatory horns or whistles if the irritated called person calls YOU back![/spoiler]
Forwarding the call to a government office.
[spoiler=Click Me]Not too swift. All that does is tie up a line at the govt office, and record YOUR number as the forwarding number! Realize that your congress person knows phone scams are a problem, and also knows the FCC and FTC have been assigned the task of upholding the laws concerning this problem. Instead, you should report the problem via normal channels to the FTC or FCC.
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Giving or forwarding the supposed scammer's phone number to other scammers.
[spoiler=Click Me]May not be a good idea. The 1st scammer might have used a spoofed phone number, and, if you give it to other scammers, all you are doing is causing more calls to and problems for an innocent person.[/spoiler]
Getting a new phone number
[spoiler=Click Me]Eventually, after getting many scam calls, some people think their only recourse is getting a new number. That is not true. The "new number" is probably somebody else's "old number", and will come accompanied with its own baggage (and calls).[/spoiler]
What you SHOULD do:
If you are disturbed by frequent calls from scammers / spammers. obtain a call blocker app, device, phone, or service. Google is your friend. Remember, the Do Not Call list is effective to prevent calls from registered telemarketers, but scammers / spammers ignore that policy. The DNC list is NOT a call blocker!
I foolishly answered this call, a young woman asked for my parents by their last name, I told her they weren't here, she said it was a "courtesy call from American Professional Services" and apologized for bothering me. Number is now blocked.
Got call saying they are delivering coupon books free from "home improvement" company. Is this perhaps so the neighbors won't suspect a thing when they try to burglarize my home two days before Christmas? They will get more than they bargain for that's for sure. My housekeepers Smith and Wesson will answer any questions they may have.
Got call saying they are delivering coupon books free from "home improvement" company. Is this perhaps so the neighbors won't suspect a thing when they try to burglarize my home two days before Christmas? They will get more than they bargain for that's for sure. My housekeepers Smith and Wesson will answer any questions they may have.