[RoseyRed]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

You also won't receive calls from companies that you do business with, that have representatives who work from home and use a company-provided burner phone to call customers. Y'know, to let you know that your order was cancelled. Or that your health insurance denied coverage for a procedure you have scheduled next month. Or a reminder to update and submit your application to something you need/want to do, because they haven't received it yet.

I love my Google Pixel because the Assistant acts as my "receptionist." It fields all calls from phone numbers it doesn't recognize, and the call only rings on my end once the person calling has identified themselves to Assistant.

If a company wants to do business with someone, would they be willing to leave a voicemail with a return number? That is a good point. If we do not want calls going to voicemail due to expecting an important call, we will temporarily disable the feature.

[RoadToad]

Originally Posted by RoadToad

IIRC We saw where there have been fines ($1500 per incident) if the call is documented.
Maybe Google it.

ICYMI : Google results...
In Florida, a civil penalty for violating the Do Not Call list can be up to $10,000 per violation, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) may also seek other relief, such as injunctive relief, according to the department's website.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Maximum Penalty:
.
The civil penalty for a Do Not Call violation in Florida is capped at $10,000 per violation.
Florida Do Not Call List:
.
Telemarketers must obtain a license before making calls, and calls are restricted from 8 AM to 8 PM, according to ActiveProspect.
Federal vs. State:
.
While Florida has its own Do Not Call list, there is also a National Do Not Call Registry governed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
TCPA and Do Not Call:
.
Violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the Do Not Call list can also result in fines. The TCPA, for example, allows for fines of up to $500 for each violation of the National Do Not Call Registry, and $1,500 per call if the violation was known and willful.
Factors Influencing Penalties:
.
The severity of penalties can depend on the number of violations, the intent of the violator, and their previous compliance history.

[SemiMike]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

You also won't receive calls from companies that you do business with, that have representatives who work from home and use a company-provided burner phone to call customers. Y'know, to let you know that your order was cancelled. Or that your health insurance denied coverage for a procedure you have scheduled next month. Or a reminder to update and submit your application to something you need/want to do, because they haven't received it yet.

I love my Google Pixel because the Assistant acts as my "receptionist." It fields all calls from phone numbers it doesn't recognize, and the call only rings on my end once the person calling has identified themselves to Assistant.

I highly recommend the increasingly capable Google phones.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by RoadToad

ICYMI : Google results...
In Florida, a civil penalty for violating the Do Not Call list can be up to $10,000 per violation, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) may also seek other relief, such as injunctive relief, according to the department's website.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Maximum Penalty:
.
The civil penalty for a Do Not Call violation in Florida is capped at $10,000 per violation.
Florida Do Not Call List:
.
Telemarketers must obtain a license before making calls, and calls are restricted from 8 AM to 8 PM, according to ActiveProspect.
Federal vs. State:
.
While Florida has its own Do Not Call list, there is also a National Do Not Call Registry governed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
TCPA and Do Not Call:
.
Violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the Do Not Call list can also result in fines. The TCPA, for example, allows for fines of up to $500 for each violation of the National Do Not Call Registry, and $1,500 per call if the violation was known and willful.
Factors Influencing Penalties:
.
The severity of penalties can depend on the number of violations, the intent of the violator, and their previous compliance history.

The Florida law is really stupid. Most telemarketing calls received by Florida residents are placed from outside of Florida and the call recipient has no way to know who called or where they called from. So, the law is not enforceable.

Also, most telemarketing calls could be eliminated by the phone providers. They could monitor phone usage and easily determine which of their customers are violating the telemarketing laws. They could also limit the number of calls made by a customer. Neither the Government or the phone providers have any interest in solving the telemarketing problem. All they can provide the taxpayers are empty and insincere promises.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by SemiMike

I highly recommend the increasingly capable Google phones.

Google Pixel cell phones only account for 4.6 percent of the cell phone market in the U.S. I have not used the Google Assistant app, but I don't really see much difference between it and other call blocking apps. I have tried several call blocking apps, and they seem to work for awhile, but then they stop working. Also, Google Assistant touts a feature by which they block numbers from your spam list. I know that this does not work because telemarketers use a different number every time they call. The "do not disturb" option totally eliminates telemarketing calls because it only allows the phone to ring when you have an incoming call from your contacts list. All other callers are routed to voicemail, and you are not disturbed until you decide to check your voicemail app.

[rothbear]

I wish that Verizon would step up a bit. We only use cell phones and 95% of my robocalls are from my old area code. I don't want to change my old phone number as it would involve having to change it too many places. But I could get rid of 95% of the calls if they would just allow me to block that particular area code alone! But no....they only allow you to block the first SIX digits of the phone numbers in thier "neighborhood blocking", and then have a limit on how many of those you block. What a ridiculous concept for a company who claims how great they are. I can't change companies as I am piggybacked on my daughter's plan. I have gotten into just pushing the botton that stops the ringing and sends it to voice mail. Then I have to go in an block that number (they don't have a limit on how many individual numbers you can block) I must have 400 or more numbers on that list. And they must know this is happening because of the number of people who move but don't change their numbers. Why is it so hard for them to allow Area Code blocking???

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by rothbear

I wish that Verizon would step up a bit. We only use cell phones and 95% of my robocalls are from my old area code. I don't want to change my old phone number as it would involve having to change it too many places. But I could get rid of 95% of the calls if they would just allow me to block that particular area code alone! But no....they only allow you to block the first SIX digits of the phone numbers in thier "neighborhood blocking", and then have a limit on how many of those you block. What a ridiculous concept for a company who claims how great they are. I can't change companies as I am piggybacked on my daughter's plan. I have gotten into just pushing the botton that stops the ringing and sends it to voice mail. Then I have to go in an block that number (they don't have a limit on how many individual numbers you can block) I must have 400 or more numbers on that list. And they must know this is happening because of the number of people who move but don't change their numbers. Why is it so hard for them to allow Area Code blocking???

Blocking numbers does not work for telemarketers. They use millions of different numbers to call you. I don't know of a company or phone that allows you to block a specific area code, but I don't think it would help much. The telemarketers would just find another way to call you. Also, the number you see on your caller ID screen may not even be the number they called you from. They can "spoof" any number they want. They just want you to think they are calling from that area code.

[MrFlorida]

Signed up on the" do not call " list when it was first offered. Never worked , still got lots of unwanted calls.

[dougawhite]

The Do NOT Call list just provides a perfect list for telemarketing companies to use to make their calls to.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Google Pixel cell phones only account for 4.6 percent of the cell phone market in the U.S. I have not used the Google Assistant app, but I don't really see much difference between it and other call blocking apps. I have tried several call blocking apps, and they seem to work for awhile, but then they stop working. Also, Google Assistant touts a feature by which they block numbers from your spam list. I know that this does not work because telemarketers use a different number every time they call. The "do not disturb" option totally eliminates telemarketing calls because it only allows the phone to ring when you have an incoming call from your contacts list. All other callers are routed to voicemail, and you are not disturbed until you decide to check your voicemail app.

As I said - if you have a Pixel, one of the features is the integration of Google Assistant with their phone security system. It's called Screen Call and it can be automated or manually manipulated by you, the person whoever is trying to call.

When a call is screened on a Pixel phone using Call Assist, the caller will hear the voice of Google Assistant. The Assistant will then ask who is calling and why. You can view a transcript of the conversation as it's happening, allowing you to decide whether or not to answer the call. If the call is deemed spam, the Assistant will hang up; if it's not, the call will ring through to you.

Screen your calls before you answer them - Phone app Help

[HORNET]

It doesn’t work, don’t want to get political, but loopholes were given and Do Not Call can not stop them !

[villageuser]

Originally Posted by MikeVillages

Did you know you can put yourself on a “Do Not Call List"?
National Do Not Call Registry

It often works with somewhat honest but maybe misleading telemarketers.
Have you tried it and did it reduce your number of unwanted calls?

It doesn’t stop the unscrupulous. By the way, they are also supposed to say their name, and the name of the business clearly and immediately, which they usually don’t.

I’ve gotten to telling the people, very nicely, if they realize they are breaking the law and that I am reporting them to the FTC. And I do it. That goes for the text scammers, too. I must say my scam calls have gone down considerably.
ReportFraud.ftc.gov

[RUCdaze]

RE: The do-not-call registration. In my experience, it just doesn't work. Maybe it is blocking some calls and I don't know it, but I've registered several times and I still get annoying solicitations.

[Larryandlinda]

Far more effective:
If you suspect a bogus call coming answer and stay completely silent
You’ll
Likely hear a dial tone in 10 seconds
The machine will register your number as dead
( though dials are all but gone, they call it a dial tone!?)
Or have some fun:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-7OgWcwgB50

Originally Posted by MikeVillages

Did you know you can put yourself on a “Do Not Call List"?
National Do Not Call Registry

It often works with somewhat honest but maybe misleading telemarketers.
Have you tried it and did it reduce your number of unwanted calls?