If you have an answering machine, you can outfox these predators. Record Special Information Tones (see the attached url to hear them) at the beginning of your outgoing message. This tells anyone using an autodialer that the number is out of service. A real person won't care, but then they have to listen to you tell them off. I've used these tones for the past few years and the number of telemarketing calls has dropped. I sincerely hope it helps other people to avoid these pests.
Thanks Midtown, that was helpful. I remember reading on this site about another number offering a "free cruise" just the other day. These people are relentless and I seem to be adding to my "rejected number" list at least once a day now. It's got to the point where I just look at the incoming area code and press the hang-up feature. And 800notes has become my go-to spot for confirmation. God, what a way to make a living. I wonder if these people go home and shower at night to rid themselves of the odour of "scam".
To resond to your "Do Not Call" registry. You're correct when you say it's a joke. I took some computer courses a few years back and the instuctor told the class that if you registered with this government service that "yes " you can ask the telemarketer to place you on the No Call Registry.There is only one small detail that our infamous government omits. They can only legally block telemarketing calls that originate in Canada. Other countries can gain access to the registry list and hound you to Hell. Ergo, It's a huge JOKE!
They call every day, but each time from a different number. Call blocking doesn't work, because they do not reuse their numbers. They call 7 days a week, any time between 8 am and 9 pm. Very persistent and annoying! It is a scam to take your credit card number under a pretense of a political survey.