I win by never answering the phone unless I know the number belongs to a friend, either by the caller ID or with most cell phones I have a list next to the phone with friends numbers.
I understand that it is possible to "USE" out-of-service numbers to mask the real source of a call. I think that's what this is. When you answer the phone, the "caller" (which is actually just a data-base service) notes that a real person exists at your phone number, and they sell your number to marketing agencies. If your answering machine kicks in, same thing. How do you win at this game?
I win by never answering the phone unless I know the number belongs to a friend, either by the caller ID or with most cell phones I have a list next to the phone with friends numbers.