Telemarket Calls

[Paper1]

Is anyone else having a large volume of unwanted calls. I feel like I'm paying for a landline for telemarketing to call me.My cellphone is even getting a few. I'm not sure why they pay no attention to the no call lists but assume the law is so full of exceptions for lobbyists that is has lost it's teeth. Although this morning I told one that Morgan and Morgan could get $1500, for every unwanted call I got. Don't think I scared them much.

[mixsonci]

I get a lot of unwanted calls. I no longer answer any calls if I don't know who it is. I screen all calls and answer very few and if they don't leave a message, I don't call back.

[pklein9747]

If you have a landline, try registering with nomorobo.com. We have a comcast landline and it lets you know when a robo call is coming in, as the phone only rings once, then stops. It's been great!

[Bjeanj]

Personal opinion, but I *think* that since the telemarketers can spoof any phone number they want, they don't worry about the Do Not Call list or Federal laws. If you report the number, it doesn't matter, since the people whose number it REALLY is has no idea someone spoofed their number when they called.

I, too have been getting a large number of calls from places like New York, California, Utah, etc., where I don't know anyone. At first I checked caller ID and if I didn't know/recognize the number I would let it go to voicemail. Has gotten to the point now that I have silenced the phone ringer. It goes to voicemail and they have the option of leaving a message. As for my cell phone, if I don't recognize the number I press "Decline".

Pain in the rear, but until laws/technology catch up, that's what I do short of buying or installing software to prevent it.

[Sandtrap328]

If you have a landline, try registering with nomorobo.com. We have a comcast landline and it lets you know when a robo call is coming in, as the phone only rings once, then stops. It's been great!

Nomorobo.com works great on our landline. It has cut the robo calls to zero.

[Jetakai]

Just an FYI, (don't hate me) but I worked for a survey caller.

We received a printout with the prefix 555-XXXX and we went down the list, 1111, 1112, 1113, 1114, and called them all.

We marked off all the ones that had no response, etc. This was a few decades ago, so I am sure they have computers to do the initial run now, but they probably follow the same method.
:Screen_of_Death:

[retiredguy123]

I like talking to telemarketers, but they don't like talking to me. I try to sell them something.

[NotGolfer]

In answer to the OP's question....yes!!! We have both cellphones and a landline. We screen ALL of our calls! IF we don't recognize a number or a name, even, we don't pick up. They'll leave a message "IF" they know us! I don't give out my cellphone # to anyone as a general rule. There are VERY FEW people who have that # and I tell them...don't call me on it. You may text but don't rely on that I'll get back to you immediately. I've heard robo-calls are on a loop...if you pick up, somehow they note that and will call back AND if you don't pick up they'll continue to call--sometimes even using a new (theirs) # to fake you out. It's all a game!!

[GeoGeo]

I bought on-line a little box called CPR CallBlocker. The phone rings once when it is a blocked call. It doesn't stop all the calls, because they can always use a different to call. But you just add that new number to the call blocker. One time charge and no monthly fees.

[2BNTV]

Donotcall.gov never worked for me.

Nomorobo works great. If it is a telemarketing call, the phone rings once and then stops. I don't get up to answer the phone until I hear the second ring and then I know it is a real call. Free for landlines and a $5.00 per month for cell phone.

I don't use it for my cell as if I don't recognize the area code, I don't pick-up.

[ditka41]

I just tried to register with Nomorobo as it seems like a good idea. HOWEVER, the response from their site is that Century Link does not belong to the group of phone companies they work with and to call Century Link's Customer Service dept. and request they reconsider. I did, and relayed the info to a live (really) person who said my request would be logged in. Probably the end of that hope for relief from telemarketing calls!

[baustgen]

Since all our friends have our cell numbers, we simply turn the ringer off.

[TheDude]

if they are bothering you and you have a sense of humor then go Seinfeld...

The call.
You tell them you are busy but ask for their home phone number so you can call them when you have time.

[Blessed2BNTV]

I like talking to telemarketers, but they don't like talking to me. I try to sell them something.

I ask them their home number and what time they eat dinner so I can call them back.

[Schaumburger]

Thank you all for the information on nomorobo.com. This morning I just signed up for this service for my landline number, so we will see how well it works. I usually just ignore the unidentified/unrecognized calls that come through on my landline and let them go to voice mail, but if a telemarketing call only rang once on my landline phone before stopping, that would be even better.

[buzzy]

nomorobo only works with internet-based phones (VOIP), not wired landlines like Century Link.

[John_W]

When I first got my Centurylink landline in 2011 I had the same problem. One of the unsolicited callers was Centurylink calling every month to sell me their Prism TV. I'd tell them I'm very happy with Directv. Then about the third month in a row, I said for what I'm paying you, I should have 'call block' added to my phone for free.

The next Monday they added call block for free. The only problem is it can only handle 12 numbers. When I get a call I don't want to ever call again, or see a caller ID number that I don't want. I pick up the phone and dial *60, then I dial #01#. The last number to have called is blocked forever. I keep a list because I always have 12 numbers, so I have to delete one to add another. I delete the oldest number, usually about 3 months old, and then add the newest number.

[patfla06]

We have been getting a lot of telemarketing calls.
Just checked and nomorobo isn't used with Brighthouse.

What my hisband has been doing is taking the phone numers and manually blocking them on our phone. Phone rings once and that's it.

Has cut down a lot on all the calls.

[patfla06]

i ask them their home number and what time they eat dinner so i can call them back.

lol

[Bay Kid]

I hang up on computer calls, I drive live calls crazy until they hang up on me. Great way to relieve life strains.

[autumnspring]

I like talking to telemarketers, but they don't like talking to me. I try to sell them something.

I too am on the no call list. I expect few people report calls to the no call list-I do most of the time. For people who do not report these calls that explains why it is not as effective as it should be.

If, I recall, under the law political calls and surveys are not restricted so you will have gotten calls like, are you happy with your lawn service.

Often, these calls come in at diner time. To me that is inconsiderate and rude. This is a volume effort. The caller needs to make so many calls per hour. You can see how long you can keep them on the phone.

I suggest-Wow I am very interested in your left handed pen. Just a minute I'm in the middle of making tomato sauce for diner-hold on it will just take a second for me to stir it. You can come back if you choose or just put down the phone with the line open. Or, you can come back and then say, I think it needs more salt-what do your think?
With one-after salt I asked the same question about oregano.

It is nasty-so is calling me, who is on the do not call list.

[autumnspring]

When I first got my Centurylink landline in 2011 I had the same problem. One of the unsolicited callers was Centurylink calling every month to sell me their Prism TV. I'd tell them I'm very happy with Directv. Then about the third month in a row, I said for what I'm paying you, I should have 'call block' added to my phone for free.

The next Monday they added call block for free. The only problem is it can only handle 12 numbers. When I get a call I don't want to ever call again, or see a caller ID number that I don't want. I pick up the phone and dial *60, then I dial #01#. The last number to have called is blocked forever. I keep a list because I always have 12 numbers, so I have to delete one to add another. I delete the oldest number, usually about 3 months old, and then add the newest number.

The do not call list exempts people you are already doing business with so legally they can call you.

Re; using call block
These companies almost always have several numbers such as 986-1000, 986-1001, 986-1002 etc. Hint when you do want to call some company and the number posted is 986-1000 should you keep getting a busy signal try 986-1001.

I expect, century link after your complaint added your name to their internal do not call list.

[xcaligirl]

Tons on our cellphones since moving to o Verizon.... I do the same thI got, don't answer calls I don't recognize but it's annoying! I may do nomorobo.com. Never had this before we moved here from CA

[73Goat]

The reason DoNotCall.gov doesn't 'work' is that it is simply a digital list of numbers that telemarketers are 'supposed' to get and then not call. There is no automation associated with it. It is up to the FTC to enforce it and it is very difficult for them to do so. Robo sales calls are almost impossible to ID, and telemarketers have become very adept at disguising their calls as 'surveys', or 'polls' (and at not revealing who exactly they are). Charities, political calls and others are exempt (does anyone think your local Congressman would vote for something that would prevent them from calling you for donations?). I know a bit about it because I implemented the Do Not Call system back when I was a Gov IT geek at the FTC.

[fastboat]

If I don't recognize the number on Caller ID I usually ignore it. Should I happen to pick it up, I will either just hang up or when I feel in a playful mode I say, "Can you hang on for just a second" then put the phone down and walk away.

[raisingJB]

Not offering any advise - just a story I find amusing. While my son was in college he had a friend that took a job as a telemarketer. One day he happened to call the Army Recruiter. It turned out the Army Recruiter was better at sales than he was and talked him into a five year enlistment.

On the bright side, five years in the Army did him much more good than the health club membership he was selling would have done for the recruiter.

[sandybeachgal]

I thought I was pretty savvy but this is the first time I've heard of nomorobo. Just signed up our landline. Can't wait for the Android version. Thanks for the lead!!

[OhioBuckeye]

I get a lot of unwanted calls. I no longer answer any calls if I don't know who it is. I screen all calls and answer very few and if they don't leave a message, I don't call back.

MIXSONCI, I know the feeling. When I get a call & if it doesn't list the name that's in my contacts, I disconnect it. If its that important they leave a voice mail. Personally I don't have a landline. The bad thing with my system about not recognizing a phone # is there's so many people I know here in TV that I don't have listed in my contacts that have number that appear that say, Calif. Maine, OH. ect. ect. so I don't answer. But I do agree the "Do Not Call List" seems like a waste. Maybe they're selling our numbers to telemarketers!

[Sandtrap328]

I thought I was pretty savvy but this is the first time I've heard of nomorobo. Just signed up our landline. Can't wait for the Android version. Thanks for the lead!!

You will love nomorobo! It has cut my robocalls to about ZERO.

I learned about it from an AARP representative at a lunch.

I also have a Call Block feature on my Panasonic phone at home. I use that for the various sales calls - or even some annoying people - with the 352 area code.

[Aloha1]

Try this: Call a number you know is disconnected and not in service from your cell. When you know it will answer with the "da, da,da, the number you have called is not in service.." spiel then go to your answering machine and select "record greeting". Redial the disconnected number, put it on speaker and start recording your "greeting". Set your answering to 2 rings or less and in a short while, the calls stop! The "da da da" is picked up by the robo call machines and your number is dropped from further calling.

[buzzy]

Try this: Call a number you know is disconnected and not in service from your cell. When you know it will answer with the "da, da,da, the number you have called is not in service.." spiel then go to your answering machine and select "record greeting". Redial the disconnected number, put it on speaker and start recording your "greeting". Set your answering to 2 rings or less and in a short while, the calls stop! The "da da da" is picked up by the robo call machines and your number is dropped from further calling.

Would love to try this, but we still get calls from friends and doctors.

[Ecuadog]

Try this: Call a number you know is disconnected and not in service from your cell. When you know it will answer with the "da, da,da, the number you have called is not in service.." spiel then go to your answering machine and select "record greeting". Redial the disconnected number, put it on speaker and start recording your "greeting". Set your answering to 2 rings or less and in a short while, the calls stop! The "da da da" is picked up by the robo call machines and your number is dropped from further calling.

Interesting...

I found this web site where you can listen to the recordings, including "Disconnected or No Longer in Service." Just click on the little, white "play" arrow in a red box. You can probably record from this instead of trying to dial a disconnected number.

BELL SYSTEM : Phone Sounds, Telephone Recordings, Intercept Recordings (http://www.thisisarecording.com/telco-bell-system.html)

[LittleDog]

We have an answering device and what we do is not pickup any call. After a beep to record your message if the call is a recording or scam call no message is left. Works great. If we hear someone answering and we know who they are we pick up the phone and talk to them. No problems with unwanted calls.

John