Yep same here. I've been receiving 4-5 calls from these idiots too and have been rejecting the calls every time. I finally answered the call today only to find out it's for supplemental Medicare benefits. I'm only 49 and don't have Medicare. How the heck do they get a hold of our information and think it's ok to harass people. So annoying!
>> How the heck do they get a hold of our information <<
If you ever posted your phone number on a social site, or used it when ordering online, or typed it in an insecure computer, or gave it to a friend whose computer was attacked, or filled out an entry form at a fair or a supermarket, or used it on a contest entry form, or put it on a postcard for a magazine or purchase, or were among those whose information was hacked from some organization, or obtained a "new" phone number ... your number is probably known to the scammers.
Allow me to present another possibility in a very simple fashion ... not to insult your intelligence, but to attempt to get the idea across to even those who have difficulty understanding more complicated answers. Click on the "Info" line, below, to learn about that possibility.
Info Robodialers for Dummies Can you count?
If you answered "yes", that is a good start. Try counting from 1 to 10 now. I will wait.
..........
Finished? Good.
I want you to think "0" instead of "10". Got it?
Now, get a piece of paper and a pen or pencil, and write down those ten numbers. Here, I will help you, in case your forgot:
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Now get ready to write down some more numbers. I want you to write them down in the following format:
ABC-DEF-GHIJ
Yes, I know those are letters, but I want you to use numbers, instead.
Think of a number between 0 and 9 ... pick one from the list I gave above, if you wish.
Write it down, instead of the "A", above
Do that nine more times, writing it down instead of the other letters.
Now, look at the result.
Does it ring a bell?
It should, because you just wrote down a phone number!
Mr Computer is very good at making numbers.
Mr Computer can do what you just did in a fraction of a second.
In other words, Mr Computer can make and dial phone numbers VERY quickly.
Spammers and scammers who know about Mr Computer do not need to register and buy the DNC list.
Spammers and scammers who know about Mr Computer can even dial "unlisted" numbers, or "private numbers" or "brand-new numbers you just got"!
The DNC list is not a magic switch that blocks these calls from reaching your phone. It is merely a list. It is NOT a call blocker!
There, now you know all about how spammers can dial YOUR phone number, even if it is unlisted, and even if only relatives know it, and even if it is on or off the DNC list.
I hope that helps prove the DNC list DOES work! It helps prevent calls from registered / legitimate telemarketers, but it is not able to stop calls from telespammers. It is also NOT designed to stop political callers (who usually get the numbers from voter registration lists), calls from charities, or some other companies, such as debt collectors; or some companies with which you have done business in the last 18 months.
Here are two pages of links to (mostly government) sites in Canada and the USA were you can report phone scams, or learn more about them.
* First, look elsewhere on this site for an Article, entitled "Where to Report Phone Crime". (It may appear in the column to your right).
* For a more frequently updated list of complaint sites, with links to government web pages, look here:
http://phonehelp.2truth.com/complaint_sites.html
For the latest news on US government and industry efforts to stop illegal or unwanted robocalls, see:
http://phonehelp.2truth.com/initiatives.html
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Please reply to this post, to let us know you read it, or have taken suitable actions to protect yourself.
I won't be 65 for several years and these damn companies are calling me 4 & 5 times a day on my hard line phone AND my cell phone. One nasty woman called at 8:10 am when I finally had gotten to sleep after a night of insomnia! Usually when people call that early it is important but not this one.... damn company called Medical Services Group wanting to assist me with my medicare needs. I told her she was an [***] for calling so early & waking me cause I'd just gotten to sleep and she called me a sh*t head, mother f**ker - can't believe we can get no relief from these calls!
Kind of a generic sounding company wouldn't you think? Believe it or not, there is a way to beat them, however, you've got to be able to completely miss calls if you can. They've got to have a reason to call, regardless if the subject pertains to you or not. Don't try to duke it out with telepests, either. That's a way to invite hostility and stupidity from callers who know they're sunk. If your phone only rings without an answer of any kind, they may eventually see your number as a waste of time to mess with. For peace, if you're able, either disconnect the line or turn off the ringer on a landline. Perhaps consider a call blocker/blocking app as well.