What will it gain you? Don't do it-never call back numbers you do not know. You get no extra bonus points for knowing what/who they are (you probably won't find out anything anyway and just waste your time). Curiosity KO'd the cat.
I think other folks on this website do that sometimes - call the scammers just based on the numbers reported here to see what kind of info they can get. I ought to just try that.
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.
Click on the associated "Info" line under any statement to read why NOT to use that method.
Answering the phone when the caller's number is unfamiliar.
Info01Instead of answering, let the call go to voicemail or answering machine. Legitimate callers will usually leave a message.
Pressing a number "to be taken off the list"
Info02That works for legitimate telemarketers, but, if you were on the Do Not Call list, legitimate telemarketers would not have called you in the first place. Pressing a number on a call from a telespammer merely confirms you answered the phone and will follow scammer's instructions. That make your number more valuable for even more spammers!
Returning the call.
Info03At 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.
Arguing with the caller:
Info04Call 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.
Blowing a horn or whistle into the phone:
Info05Will 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!
Forwarding the call to a government office.
Info06Not 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.
Giving or forwarding the supposed scammer's phone number to other scammers.
Info07May 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.
Getting a new phone number
Info08Eventually, 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).
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 designed to prevent calls from legitimate, registered telemarketers, but scammers / spammers are not legitimate telemarketers, do not register, and they ignore the DNCL or your requests!
Remember
The DNC list is NOT a call blocker!
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Please reply to this post, to let us know you read it, or have taken suitable actions to protect yourself.
What will it gain you? Don't do it-never call back numbers you do not know. You get no extra bonus points for knowing what/who they are (you probably won't find out anything anyway and just waste your time). Curiosity KO'd the cat.
It's just a personal thing - boredom I guess with plenty of free time. I evaluated convicts in prison for 30 years. Maybe I miss talking with deceivers... If a caller gets annoying I block the number. I only do this with known criminal calls. This one was one of those. I'm never rude with any caller. I'm basically just studying the scam.