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.
This number called me just now-- 1-704-288-1865, (Caller ID said "Monroe, NC") and being I am in a bad mood, I answered it. A very nice lady, very professional and happy, told me all about breast cancer in women and asked if they could send me an envelope so I could send in a donation.
I told her I do not donate money to anyone, or any organization. She said she understood and had a special 'category for people like me' and could I please just send in $15? I told her I didn't know what she meant by a 'special category for people LIKE ME' and I said I DO NOT DONATE TO ANYONE, NO ONE, Not even religious organizations or anything, and she said Ok, thank you, have a nice day and hung up. Very polite. But UGHH!
I was able to call it back and a automated menu let me choose to have my number removed from their calling list.
silence...a beep, and then a woman's voice after I said "hello." I followed with "Telemarketing litigation Center, may I help..." and they hung up before I could finish the sentence.
My caller ID showed "BINCOMING CALL" seriously! Do they think people are stupid enough to fall for these scams. Thank you Panasonic for having a blocking system built into your phones.
Just received a call from this number at 7:41 PM. No message. If you're smart, don't call back and press anything, don't call back AT ALL! That is the WORSE thing you can do because then, you'll end up receiving even MORE calls from spam numbers!