[Ele201]

I’m glad you mentioned fake and robo text messages as I’m also having this issue. Up until the last few months, texts only came from friends and family. But now I’m getting texts stating “you have a package from USPS” or Amazon, etc. Also I get texts about diet pills. I block and delete them, but they keep showing up.

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

I'm getting more texts - most of them are for [null] from "Amazon" about a delivery waiting for my authorization. Every time I get one I block their number. The numbers are different each time.
I'm also getting more texts for Simone, who is the name of the person who had my phone number before I did. She moved, got a new phone and new phone number, her old number was recycled and I got stuck with it when I got my new phone service.

Simone was - or still is - some manner of "adult entertainer." I don't know if she's a full-fledge prostitute, or just a phone-sex gal but I got a text from one guy who "met" her on meetup.com or hookup.com saying I know why he was calling and he wanted to date me and he knew I was Simone. I reverse-looked up his phone number while he was texting me and found out who HE was - and told him if he ever called this number again, I'd call the Dallas Department of Public Education and let them know that one of their elementary school teachers was soliciting for porn. He never called again.

I still get texts and calls for Simone, but most of them are approving her non-existent loans, and offering her non-existent money-making schemes. I just block them when they come in.

[Huskies]

Originally Posted by billethkid

It seems the last couple of weeks the telemarketing calls have increased significantly.

Especially utilizing the new tactic of using fake names. And now they even employ repeat calls from the same name and number.

Are you experiencing this as well?

Yes, it’s all day long. I get calls at 8am !!!! I changed my recording on my machine and said if you are a solicitor please take us off your list. It seems to be working as I am not getting repeat calls.

[Dilligas]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

The system you describe will work as you say, but it is not appropriate for everyone. Some people don't want to block calls from unknown numbers. They may miss calls from people they know, but don't have them listed on their white list for several reasons. The caller may be calling from another number, or it may be a doctor's office or a new friend or business associate, or maybe someone gave away your contact number without telling you. And, a lot of people do not leave voicemail messages. They expect the person they called to return the call because their phone will show a missed call. Or, if somenoe leaves a voicemail, often when you try to return the call, the business is closed or you can't reach the person. I rarely leave voicemails, and I would not feel comfortable using a white list to screen my calls.

Unless you enjoy robocalls and spam calls, you need to develop a thorough contact list in you mobile phone....including friends, neighbors, relatives, doctors, pharmacies, contract workers (lawn, pool, cleaning, etc). Then you have a 'white list' to cut out most. If someone you know has a new number and didn't notify you, they can leave a message and you can add it to your contacts. The government and phone companies will not resolve the problem until they step up. The govt is too busy with politics, and the phone companies with 5G installation. Anything done by the phone companies to stop all will be useless until there is a law by the govt to allow prosecution.

[larcha]

Originally Posted by billethkid

It seems the last couple of weeks the telemarketing calls have increased significantly.

Especially utilizing the new tactic of using fake names. And now they even employ repeat calls from the same name and number.

Are you experiencing this as well?

I received a call the other day from a man who asked if I had called him. I had not. He said the call was from my number and showed my name as the caller. The call was a Social Security scam call saying his Social Security number had been compromised and asking for personal information. I called my carrier, T-Mobile, but they said that since the call had not originated on their system there was nothing they could do. It's getting scary out there.

[KRM0614]

Yes they are call centers that get paid to confirm phone numbers and persons. I always say you have the wrong number ! An accent works good too!

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Qmsp@aol.com

Absolutely.
They say they are on a recorded line

As soon as they say why recorded line, they say for my protection.

So I hang up for my protection

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Dilligas

Unless you enjoy robocalls and spam calls, you need to develop a thorough contact list in you mobile phone....including friends, neighbors, relatives, doctors, pharmacies, contract workers (lawn, pool, cleaning, etc). Then you have a 'white list' to cut out most. If someone you know has a new number and didn't notify you, they can leave a message and you can add it to your contacts. The government and phone companies will not resolve the problem until they step up. The govt is too busy with politics, and the phone companies with 5G installation. Anything done by the phone companies to stop all will be useless until there is a law by the govt to allow prosecution.

The problem is we keep getting calls from this area code that are new to us and we want to take. For example last week one from our DR office asking about our health.

[Curtisbwp]

Yes and it is annoying. I block them but they use many many different numbers. Some times i answer and play with them.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

The problem is we keep getting calls from this area code that are new to us and we want to take. For example last week one from our DR office asking about our health.

Yes, and the doctor is not always going to call from the same number. And, some doctors will block the incoming caller ID.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Yes, and the doctor is not always going to call from the same number. And, some doctors will block the incoming caller ID.

So just something else we have to deal with these days, as our daughter would say First World Problem.

[rmd2]

Originally Posted by asianthree

Landline and cell has block on any non contact number.
Phone never rings unless it’s someone we know

How do you put a block on a landline? I would like to do that.

[rmd2]

Originally Posted by Morgkell

Get
The app Nomorobo. It will block those calls. And I agree, the number of those calls has increased exponentially!!

I used nomorobo and it did not stop the telemarketers,

[Paper1]

Landlines have become useless and cellular is on it's way. The junk mail folder on my computer gets countless messages daily but I skim them as occasionally a legit one gets directed to this folder by AOL filter. As I daily watch our elected leadership skillfully handle the issues facing our country (sarcasm) I think how well they have managed the do not call law they passed a few years back.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by rmd2

How do you put a block on a landline? I would like to do that.

I have the Xfinity voice landline. I can log into my account on a computer or tablet, go to settings, and enter up to 25 numbers to block.

[Nucky]

I am waiting for a phone call from a Dog Breeder for a friend in N.J. They asked for me to give them a recommendation which I agreed to. It is coming up on 4 weeks that I've been waiting for the call. These people are worth the inconvenience.

I had to hit the switch inside my iPhone that allows every clown to get through and at the same time, the Text's started. It has been brutal. The new pup has one more week to go and then all security measures will be activated on my Cell Phone.

Under normal circumstances, I use the switch inside the iPhone to limit calls from only my contacts and HIYA as added protection, and still on occasion an unwanted call slips through.

For Text Messages, I make myself open the Text and write down the phone number and I have a contact or two or three that I add that number too. It stops the next Text Message I guess because I've never got a repeat Text from the same number. Many of the Texts are Political. Can't they all just leave us all alone? Isn't it a real PIP when you are just getting in the shower and rush for the phone for one of these Pinheads? I've been putting then on hold because I tell them my doorbell just rang. Some of them wait for the entire length of the shower.