Called my cell twice, back-to-back after I declined the first call. Anytime you get a back to back call from someone you don't know, it's usually a scam. They didn't leave a message. I didn't bother to call back.
Called 6/23/2016 at noon. HVAC Services wanting to come clean out my system for $65. I asked them if I have done business with them before. Yes we have serviced customers in your area before. I said NO, you did not answer my question. Have I done business with you before?? He said they have serviced people in my area so I did answer your question. I asked him for the name of the company and where it is located. Silence. He hung up. Reporting this to the Do Not Call list of Texas (PUC) as well as the national Do Not Call list (FTC) which of course won't do any good because of so many sleazeball companies that ignore the do not call lists and the tax supported do nothing agencies that let this crap go on.
Those of you that let the calls roll to your answering machine, voicemail or worse yet answered the call you have just ensured you will receive more of these calls. Maybe not from the same number, but they’ve just identified your number as valid which assures more calls of these 'faux telemarketer calls'. (I call them faux telemarketer calls as they are generally not legitimate telemarketers, but simply scams!) Most of the initial calls originate from software (aka; ‘robocalls’) – once your number is identified as active, then a real person may be there on the follow up calls. The majority of the calls are from a 'spoofed' number therefore the area code, exchange or even the entire number displayed on your caller ID probably does not accurately reflect the origin of a call.
If you have the capability to ‘BLOCK’ the number that called – that is the best action. Since 2010 I have logged and currently block nearly 600 of these nuisance calls.
(NOTE: I have recently purchased equipment that can block by area codes. I am in the process of blocking any area code where I do have any contacts.)
If you don’t have a blocking option, keep a phone with caller ID close by and simply hit ‘talk’ and ‘off’ simultaneously. This will reduce the number of nuisance calls, but not stop them.
If you really want to block them – in addition to a number of cordless phones available there is software that a layman can install. Of the over 500 calls I’ve blocked, I've only added 16 over the last 3 months. (Most of those are from a new series of numbers that were not previously blocked)
So the message is simple – blocking works…. Using the aforementioned processes I seldom have a second call from a given number. But, when I do - I love it when "Number Blocked" shows on my 'Caller ID!!! (When they call repeatedly it causes me to wonder about how stupid some of these dummies really are!)
PS: I think Call Notes should add a 'Call Type' for 'Spoof' or 'Scammer Calls'!
Oh, I agree wholeheartedly with your post; however, sometimes I just want to prank some stupid telemarketer before blocking them forever.
My call blocking machine can block 1200 numbers (well, 200 are already pre-programmed, but I still have 1,000 vacant spots to fill). I am up to 51 blocked numbers. I believe my machine can also block area codes - just haven't used that function yet.
Best bang for my buck for less than $100!