Advice needed from fellow DUers...

[49jim]

I've been a member since 2001. I don't post much as you can see and have seen members help with all kinds of issues. Here's my problem. I have been getting unsolicited calls on my cell phone for the last three weeks. I've even gotten messages on the phone in spanish and in english. The last message said, "Don't call if you are not going to. Get the call ok." The phone calls come in clumps starting in the afternoon about 2pm (I live on the east coast) and continue to 11:00pm-12:00 midnight. I put my phone on the no call list 2 weeks ago but have to wait 31 days for it to take effect. Since Friday 5/25/18 I've gotten more than 15 calls. They all originate from California. The numbers are all different. I did answer one and the person on the other end said I called them and asked what did I want.This is a form of harassment. I'm not sure who to report it to or how to stop it. Any suggestions? Thank you.

[Heartstrings]

1. Is the number always the same?

Can you block it?

[49jim]

11. Yes, I blocked the calls

and they still came through.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

2. Ignore them.

For some reason, who knows why, you're getting these calls. They are pranks or the phone equivalent of spam, or some such. Don't worry about them. Just block numbers if possible, but ignore them.

I keep on getting calls on my landline of various sorts, lately from the phony IRS scam. I've taken to letting calls where I don't recognize the number go to the answering machine. About 75% of the time they hang up without leaving a message. The other 25% a message is left that I don't need or care to respond to.

Unfortunately, modern technology means we're going to continue to be subject to this crap into the indefinite future. Do not invest any emotional energy into this at all. They are unsolicited. Period. End of story. Go open a bottle of wine, crack a can of beer, eat a brownie, whatever soothes you.

And hang in there.

[JoeOtterbein]

3. I cussed out one of them and told I knew he was a crook, he hung up and then

he actually called me back!

I laughed and said "if you are afraid to even give me a real phone number, I'm sure as hell not afraid of you!"

He hung up before I could even finish!

[True Dough]

4. There are a variety of options reviewed in this article

I'd recommend this one since you're awaiting registration as part of the "do not call" list.

On both Android and iOS, you can set each operating system’s Do Not Disturb mode to allow phone calls from only those people and businesses in your contacts list. This is a pretty drastic, sledgehammer solution to the problem of robocalls, and you’re almost certainly going to miss calls that you would’ve liked to have answered. But those calls will go through to voicemail, and then you can add that number to your contacts for the future. I’d still only recommend this option if you’re completely fed up, though, and only if you’re very good and meticulous about keeping contacts up to date.

https://www.theverge.com/2018/3/6/17071478/spam-calls-how-to-stop-block-robocalls-robots-scam-iphone-android


Good luck, 49jim. Sounds like a pain in the backside but hopefully it gets better soon.

[trixie2]

9. the do not call list is no longer working

I have always been on the list and have always updated my inclusion. See this link for why.

I am now getting calls straight to missed calls.

[cyclonefence]

5. I just ordered a call blocker from Amazon

I've been getting mysterious calls, too. Mine show "spam" in the caller ID! Then there's no one there when I answer. I used the "call back" function and got the message that that number was not in service for most of them; on one of them a person answered and asked if I wanted to be removed from their calling list, and I said yes.

I heard somewhere that these calls were sort of like phishing, robocalling in numerical order to see which numbers actually belong to a phone. Then lists of phone numbers can be sold to marketers. I also heard that house thieves will call just to see if anyone's home.

My phone has a call block function which can store up to 250 calls, and that does get filled up periodically. With the call blocker I ordered, I can store 1500 numbers, and I can block calls from the same area code counting as one number, like 888. If your phone service offers caller ID you might want to invest in a call blocker.

[drray23]

6. Don't pick up.

Many scam calls are dialed by computers . If somebody picks up, it's rerouted to a person who can try to scam you. If you don't pick up, the computer will mark it as bad after a certain number of attempts.

What I do is put all my acquaintances in my contacts. If a number is unrecognized I don't pick up. If it's a legitimate call (like maybe the dentist or the like) they will leave a msg. I will then call back.

[Sophiegirl]

7. If I don't recognize the number...

I don’t answer. If it is important, the caller will leave a message. Scammers won’t waste their time waiting to leave a message they know won’t be returned.

Only once in the last several years did I get an important message, which I returned right away.

[Phentex]

12. That's what I do but I feel like I'm being held hostage...

I can't leave the sound on or it rings all day with junk calls. I silence it but then I can't hear any calls or text messages. Do Not Disturb sends the calls to voicemail but still rings. If I turn off Do Not Disturb, my fitbit can let me know who's calling or what the text is so at least I can tell what's up. I would like to be able to get calls only from my contacts and no one else but apparently they worry something important wouldn't get through.

[Sophiegirl]

13. I have learned to ignore the home phone

When it rings, for the most part, I ignore it. The phone I have does “talk” when it rings. Tells me, “Call from.....” then gives me either a name or a location. Honestly, the only real calls that come into my home number is my husband’s parents. Since they are in their 90s, any call that the phone says from San Diego or Oakland (his brother) I answer. I don’t usually get telemarketers calling from there.

All my family and friends (and my doctor’s office) call my cellphone. Since they are in my Contacts list, I see who is calling immediately. If I don’t recognize the number (which doesn’t happen often), I let it go. If it is important, the caller will leave a voicemail.

It is annoying to hear the phone ring all the time, but I guess, I’ve learned to just ignore it and move on.

Wouldn’t that be a good pitch to the phone company......allow only calls from Contacts to ring. Otherwise a message could the the caller they are b`eing directed to voicemail....please leave a message. I’d pay extra for that option just for the peace and quiet.

[handmade34]

8. same for our household

we don't answer unless we are expecting the call... figure a message will be left if it is important

[grumpyduck]

10. We signed up for Nomorobo last year and love it.

It's free for landlines. You just register your number, and if it's a robocall, your phone rings just once and the system hangs up.

[Sophiegirl]

14. Question

How does it know if it is a robocaller or a legitimate number?

[grumpyduck]

15. I don't know the exact mechanics

but their web site says it compares the number against a ginormous database of numbers they've found to be robocallers. Caller ID tells you what the number was. You can get the details on their web site.

[marble falls]

16. Have you googled the number?