Thanks R.Vollin, That is sound info / advice, & I am sure I speak for more than myself. People are gardually learning about these FROOT-LOOPS, in some cases it is to late. If anyone has call blocking added to their phone please use it, If not it is well worth the extra pennies it cost. My mother is 87 years old, & she will answer every call she gets because she is afraid she will miss something, I tell her not to answer any number with an out of state "AREA CODE" unless she know who & what it is.
This crazy bunch called me about 10 min. ago, thank goodness I was sitting by the caller ID & I turned it off. Normally my wife or myself are in the house, & I have also trained her about the caller ID & how to block a call.
We all appreciate you R.Vollin "EXCEPT THESE TELEMARKETERS & TRAINED SPAMMERS"
As the availability of 'hard-wired land line' telephone numbers shrink rapidly, the telemarketers are using more sophisticated measures to obtain their information.
These telemarketers, and marketing research types are desperate more than ever to have your mobile/cell numbers.
They're always looking for ways to pilfer from Verizon, or AT&T this valuable resource.
With the 'baby boomers' now at retirement age, telemarketers have an abundant crop of possible nest eggs to tap into.
And the rapid increase in technology, and the consumers who don't have much of clue how it all works; makes it easier for the scammers to move in, take what they need, and re-emerge elsewhere virtually undetected.
Businesses in the communications field who buy, and resell huge blocks of phone numbers are part of this lucrative scam network.
Almost anyone can now be his own telemarketer, and buy phone numbers that are untraceable, can be 'spoofed' (you think the call originates in Florida, but it actually comes from overseas).
Your information with large banks, and businesses is only as secure as it's weakest link (a disgruntled employee, or 'mole' planted earlier by the telemarketer), and then insert a flash drive, download, and sell the information.
That's how all this works, you think I'm making this up?
This is why you hear about Target, or other large firms being hacked, and thousands, and thousands of consumers personal information being stolen, and sold to the highest bidders.
They might not be able to exploit the credit card numbers, but they most certainly will sell, and/or use the names, addresses, and phone numbers to broaden their base.
Protect your cell number, don't give it out freely, as most young adults tend to do.
Get caller ID installed, and don't answer any phone calls, and screen incoming meassages.
Tell your friends, and relatives to leave a message when they call, then maybe you'll pick up the phone.
Get that unlisted phone number too, it'll minimize your frustration, and somewhat cut down on how many telemarketers have access to your number.
Or you could simply cancel your land line phone service (as many have), and go strictly mobile phone (I mean...do you really need that hard-wired phone, and expense?)
And if you do pick up the phone and say "hello", and you get snagged, hang up instantly.
Beware of the phone surveys (political, and the "what radio stations do you listen to, and what newspaper do you read?" type), the "Lower your interest on your credit card", the "extended warrenty on your vehicle", and the oldest phone scam: the "Fallen Officer"/"Loyal Brotherhood of Police Officers blah blah blah" type scam.
Good Luck to all.