After about 30 seconds, a male voice came on saying he was calling from the state police. It sounded like a recording. I hung up, because they are usually looking for money, and the local police here have warned about such scams. The caller ID just said Elizabeth, NJ
I did not answer and it left no message.
This message is long, but please read.
SCAMMING AND PHISHING CAN ONLY SUCCEED IF THERE IS A MARKET; AND THE MARKET NEEDS TO BE EDUCATED AND REMOVED! The crooks and scamsters are bottom feeders that have no limits, conscience, respect or mothers. You are in control.
If you dont recognize the name/number, DO NOT ANSWER. If you happen to answer, DO NOT RESPOND IN ANY WAY; NOT BY VOICE, SELECTED NUMBER OR CALL BACK! If it is in the form of a pop-up, text or email, DO NOT SELECT ANY LINK. Assume any response to be a hidden link or number... (to hell). After all, they are scammers and you dont really know what you answered or consented to do, give or buy, (for which your number may be billed). If in the form of an email, open full address, take a screen shot then delete the email.
A legitimate company notification will identify you by name and never send you a link. No matter how real, authentic, promising or threatening it appears, DO NOT RESPOND. Call your private contact number to this company and check. Follow their instructions. They will probably request a copy of the suspect communication in some form...varies. They need to know when they are being spoofed.
Texting is a way to get around those of us who do not answer. Do not respond. Copy the text for reporting.Take a screen shot of the entire text, including the phone number or short code. Save it, then delete the text. REPORT.
HAVE, KEEP UP TO DATE, AND USE, AN ANTI-VIRUS APP ON BOTH COMPUTERS AND CELL PHONES.
And don't waste your time with cute answers...there's no use or satisfaction and they don't care. They just move on to irritate or hook the next sucker. The longer you keep them on the line, the longer your access is open. Don't forget...they called you..they have your number and can get your address. We know they are crooks, but they might be crazy crooks having a bad day. If using the 855 exchange, you may be getting charged for the time and your fun.
Regarding the DNC, you do not have to answer. Just dialing your number is an offense. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission for any and all unwanted and/or unsolicited calls (cell or land-line), texts, scams, phishing, ID theft, and others at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/Information#crnt
A legitimate caller will be identified, will leave a name, message, and call back number, giving you the option to respond. It will respect the DNC. You can file a complaint about offenders on the DO NOT CALL REGISTRY. Your registered number NEVER expires. Be sure to register your cell phone too.
The legislators, service providers and carriers are sorely lacking in action and allowing this fraud to continue
They need to be made to take more responsibility for educating the public on recognizing, handling and removing the market. (It sometimes occurs to me to call-forward these calls to one of them).
Called landline again. Left no message again. Male voice, that did not sound recorded, was heard over answering machine message, before he hung up without leaving message. I agree with vrcs posting on Dec 22 and applaud his effort to educate people and his comment to add SCAM to call type. We DO NOT answer any call from a number we do not recognize. CID Elizabeth NJ.