The most common mistakes made by people who receive calls from unknown numbers:
Answering the phone.
Instead of answering, let the call go to voicemail or answering machine. Legitimate callers will leave a message.
Pressing a number "to be taken off the list"
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.
Returning the call.
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.
Arguing with the caller:
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.
Blowing a horn or whistle into the phone:
Will irritate the caller. The scammer may then add your number as a "spoofed Caller ID", so others think YOU are calling them, and YOU may hear horns or whistles!
Forwarding the call to a government office.
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.
Giving the supposed scammer's phone number to other scammers.
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.
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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 for registered telemarketers, but scammers / spammers ignore that law.
Called my number, also. "Killed" the call. That is, connected and immediately disconnected quickly. I do this if I can catch the call. Also, set my answering to 5rings before it answers. Lots of time the caller will disconnect before the machine connects. This plus blacklisting has significantly reduced robocalls to my house. if everybody ignores them they might go away.
I first received a call from this number: 2142831316 The Caller ID merely showed "Wireless Caller". The caller hung up shortly after the answering machine started playing its message. Then, less than 2 minutes later, they tried another number on me, which was 7042881865, but this time the Caller Id showed "SRVC Call". Again, the caller hung up shortly after the answering machine started its message. For those complaining about the DNC, don't waste your time complaining at 800notes or other sites. They have nothing to do with it, or its rules and criminals do not use DNC lists. They use robocall technology to call random numbers, and they can display any phone number they want (including legit business numbers) and Caller ID. They'll use local area codes so you think it's someone in your area, or call repeatedly to annoy you into answering the phone. If you answer, they may even call you by name, just to add to their credibility or use fear tactics, etc., to trick you into providing personal information or credit card numbers, etc. How do they get your name or have other information on you? Their are large data warehouse companies that collect everyone's information from public records, medical records, etc. (data we're required to give by law). These scammers are making billions of dollars off their victims. and the phone companies and other companies selling call blocking devices, collecting our data, etc., are making billions of dollars off frustrated people. As long as there is a lot of money being made, there won't be anything done to stop criminals. I am glad that there are Web sites like 800Notes that give people resources to research these unwanted calls and to find out about scams.
i got a call from 704-288-1865 did not answer it. They left no message. so who ever they are they are wasting there time. I never answer numbers I do not know. If they want me for anything there is the us mail thats the only way I will respond. and we all know they wont use the us mail because that mail fraud and very easy to track.
Robot woman talked to the answering machine "hello....hello....are you there?" sounded human, but she has called before twice and said the EXACT same thing.