971 area code was assigned to Oregon in 1999. I had also received calls from many other numbers. The terrible thing is these scam artists buy lists of phone numbers and harass them with calls with their automated systems. Even though the area code is like "971" now days they can somehow pull a trick where even though the call is from that area code they are actually located elsewhere. I filed a complaint with the last area code of another number that seemed to be in Washington state with the Washington state Attorney General. I received a very informative letter in short time. Please file a complaint with I guess the Oregon Attorney General, like I did for Washington. It will become part of the public record and I hope at least one fragment of evidence if any attempt to stop such people from doing this. This was my very informative letter from Washington state. Please read and I hope file complaints. The letter also contains very poignant links. Thanks for reading this!
Sincerely, Mike
Dear Mike J.
Our office has received your complaint regarding the phone calls you have been receiving. We understand how annoying and frustrating it is to receive unwanted telephone calls.
Unfortunately, unscrupulous telemarketers use a variety of methods to conceal their true identity and location in order to avoid detection. Sometimes, telemarketers obtain telephone numbers that are assigned to certain area codes and assign those numbers to telephone equipment that is not located in that area code. Another method telemarketers use to avoid detection is “caller I.D. spoofing,” which means a telemarketer uses a false caller-identification number so that the phone number appearing on your caller I.D. is not the actual phone number of the telephone equipment placing the call.
We have determined that the telephone number you reported as the source of the calls is owned by Pacific Telecom Communications Group, which is located in Los Angeles, California. Pacific Telecom provides telephone numbers, many of which have 206 area codes, to subscribers. However, many of the subscribers who obtain the 206 telephone numbers from Pacific Telecom are not located in Washington state and could be located anywhere. Under these circumstances, there is very little this office can do to locate the physical presence of the party who is making the calls. However, you should report these calls to the Federal Trade Commission by filing a complaint online at: https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx.
If you would like to learn more about caller I.D. spoofing, you can find additional information on the Federal Communication Commission’s website: http://www.fcc.gov/guides/caller-id-and-spoofing.
Thank you for contacting our office. Your correspondence will become a part of the public record.
Sincerely,
Some stupid telemarketer, I use a free phone number when I request freebies or any other sign-up when a number is needed. These idiots called this number, all calls go to my email address so they are not really calling my phone, thank goodness. Everyone is selling everything today. Get an internet or free phone number and give this number out instead of your actual number. It might not stop the calls but it will help some.