Thank you so very much for the time and effort you contribute to 800Notes. Your research is good. Your advice is good. Your contributions are the best of net community involvement. Keep it up.
For the rest of us, No, the FED, FCC or FTC or what ever government agency is not conspiring with nor benefiting from the scam-spams. Yes, the federal government is ineffective to chasing these guys. Few are nabbed, and most go hide. The $$$$ (who knows how much in aggregate) is so defuse per capita that there is no "stuck pig" group influential enough to pressure congressmen, senators, or regulatory agency. Besides, in comparison to ISAS, ebola, Ukraine, Palestine, and poverty in the USA, spam callers have a low priority. Still, I have have angry thoughts each time a jerk rings the phone, Call blocking (I use Digitone 10 on my wireline, it chokes them after they call once). Of course the spam callers change numbers, but for a while I get'em.
What options does one have to defend against intrusive callers?
• The Do Not Call list (Federal or State)
Works, but is effective against ONLY "legitimate" telemarketers. Political callers, surveys and some other callers are exempt. Scammers, spammers and criminals ignore the DNC list.
• Shouting, screaming, swearing at the caller
Nope. Does not stop calls. May make you hoarse, and will disturb nearby people.
• Call blocker app, device or service
Could be a good choice (even though the scammers can use fake phone numbers), and some apps are free!
Google "call blocker" for more information, or check your favorite online sales site for a list.
* Your phone provider may also offer blocking services. Check their web page for information.
If you cannot use any of the above defenses, then:
• Do not answer calls from unknown numbers ... let them go to voicemail or answering service
• Do NOT return calls from unknown numbers! All that does is verify your phone number! And, in some cases, those return calls may cost $20 or more to complete.
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/one-ring-cel ... ing-your-wallet
• If you have a "dumb" cell phone, assign the scammer's number to a group named "scammers" (or similar). Then, assign a silent ringtone to that group.
Called my cell phone at noon today, I did not answer, they left no message.
I blocked the number on my Nokia 521 Windows phone (look at your call history, press your finger on the number, and up come choices including "Block Number...")