New telemarketing Gimmick

[Gary Fowler]

I have gotten a couple of calls from what appears to be a legal number and they ask "Is Maria (or some other name) there and then when you say NO they then go into their spiel about "Well maybe you can help me" and that is when I say NO and hang up. At least they don't call back.
I had/have on Indian sounding guy calling me for months about signing up on Medicare and that SOB will sometimes call right back after me telling him to not call me again. I bet he has called 15 times, looks like he would get the drift that this number don't talk.

 

[9973720wb19]

i heard the best thing is to not answer. when you answer even if you dont say anything it tells their phone system this is a good number and the system will keep calling and or they sell your number to other ahs as a good number. ive tried this for my land line and it seems to help

 

[jmc]

Here's a recent article on Robo-calls that I found interesting. The FTC looks pretty pathetic and the phone companies do not seem too concerned.

How the robocall industry outwitted the government and wrecked the Do Not Call list - The Washington Post

 

[kf4uda]

The do not call list is a joke. Sometimes I think the telemarketers have access to it so they can get your number. The only thing that I have found that is effective is the call blocking ability of my iPhone. Every time I get an unwanted call, I block the number. I still get a call every once in a while but this has reduced my annoyance greatly.

My blocked list is probably longer than my contact list by far

 

[NorTracNY]

I answer all calls and I'm glad I do! I almost got a virus on my machine, but Microsoft tech support called me to help me block it. I also am waiting for a few thousand dollars to arrive in my bank account soon. I helped out this rich dude from Nigeria a little while ago and he's going to reward me. I think he said he's a prince!

 

[kf4uda]

I answer all calls and I'm glad I do! I almost got a virus on my machine, but Microsoft tech support called me to help me block it. I also am waiting for a few thousand dollars to arrive in my bank account soon. I helped out this rich dude from Nigeria a little while ago and he's going to reward me. I think he said he's a prince!

I don't know about the other stuff but you are out of luck with the Prince. Turns out he was some 67 year old guy from Louisiana.....sorry maybe Microsoft or the Nigerian will pan out

Alleged 'Nigerian prince' scammer nabbed in Louisiana

 

[thepumpguysc]

I "just about" had them all stopped, by not answering the phone..
THEN.. the wife was home last week & answered JUST 1.. BIG MISTAKE..
The phone rings EVERY DAY, ONCE AN HOUR from 9am till 8:30pm w/ telem. calls..
I cant even take a nap..!!!!

 

[TnAndy]

I use Verizon 'home phone' box.....which included answering message/voice mail if you don't pick up. Also has caller ID. I pick up the folks I know, everybody else goes to this message:

"Hi....you've reached TnAndy residence. I do not answer live calls anymore from numbers I don't know due to the high volume of telemarketing calls. Leave a message if you wish, and it's worthy of a return call, I'll do so. Telemarketers, don't hold your breathe waiting"

For naps, I simply unplug the line from the box to the house phone system, and ALL calls go the that voice mailbox.

The phone is there for my convenience, not theirs.

 

[bunyip]

I run an app called 'shouldianswer' which identifies spam and telemarketers, screen comes up red with an undesirable call or simply doesn't ring and sends a text telling me it was blocked.
I think it is available worldwide and is free and screens all calls.

 

[Dftodd]

I rarely get a telemarketing call on my phone. At least one where it's a live person. 99 percent of the time it's a robo call from "Account services". Hits my work cell, then my personal cell an hour or so later.