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Junk calls

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NutmegCT

NutmegCT

Great Pumpkin
Bronze
Offline
OK - before I rip the gol' dern phone out of the wall, and throw my cell into the pond ...

How the heck do you guys deal with junk calls?

Call block doesn't work, as most callers are spoofing the caller id number.

Answering and saying "remove from call list" doesn't work - it just confirms my phone is connected.

Ignoring the phone while it rings up to 24 times is not exactly what I want.

Turning the phone off works - but people I know can't call.

I asked my phone service to block all incoming calls except ones I approve in advance. That can't be done.

Can't re-route through another service, as ATT doesn't support that.

Paying $59/month for basic phone service is nuts, if all you get is junk calls.

Today I got 16 junk calls, and 1 from someone I know.

sheesh ...
 
I let all my calls go to my answering machine.... All calls!
If it's a legit call they will leave a message.
Like you I'm tired of answering only to be told "you're pre-approved" for whatever their peddling.

OR just use a cell phone and ditch the land line.
 
Some people I know here locally have some service through the phone company that: 1. Tells the caller, this number does not accept unsolicited sales or marketing calls. If you are such a caller, please hang up and remove this number from your list. Otherwise, please enter the 10-digit number you are calling from.

Can't vouch for how well it works.
 
Thanks gents. I used to use the "all calls to answering system" but discovered it was just confirming my number works. Robo calls just keep calling series of numbers; if a number answers, the number is confirmed as working, and is passed along to "level B" computers.

That automated system Basil describes sounds very good. Sure hope it's available here.

And unfortunately, NomoRobo isn't available here.

grumble grumble
 
I had that option once. Kills every call...even legit companies you are waiting on a response from, or, Social Security...and they don't have the time to screw around with your system entering numbers...and don't.
There are some add-on units that you can enter hundreds or more numbers in to block...but yes, they do spoof numbers, just like spammers spoof e-mail addresses.
I do not answer any call the caller ID doesn't identify properly.
As in, a number I know or name I know.

Anything from a town and state, like Brentwood CA (recent) is ignored. No message.

I check each calling number to see if it's listed as a spam caller, and most are, but new ones haven't shown up yet.

Make a script.
Answer, do NOT hold the earpiece to your ear until you have finished to see if they are still there..

"Microsoft XP Support. Please press 1 for SP1, press 2 for SP2, press 3 for SP3, press 4 for XP Defender support."
That kills most of them right now, as they are scammers out of India wanting access to your computer claiming to be from Microsoft.

Fun.
 
Basil said:
Some people I know here locally have some service through the phone company that: 1. Tells the caller, this number does not accept unsolicited sales or marketing calls. If you are such a caller, please hang up and remove this number from your list. Otherwise, please enter the 10-digit number you are calling from.
Click to expand...

Well, that oughta work...a robo-dialer calls you and a robo-answerer explains why the call can't be taken. We're all in deep dodo when they begin to understand each other.
 
well, this is interesting. I just logged in to my ATT account, and saw this (attached).

No advance notice other than after I logged in? What's going on?
 
I believe nomorobo only works on VoIP.
 
Thanks Elliot. NomoRobo doesn't work on ATT landline service - which is what I have.

:wall:
 
NutmegCT said:
Thanks Elliot. NomoRobo doesn't work on ATT landline service - which is what I have.

:wall:
Click to expand...
Right Tom. It won't work on any landline.
 
The other script I have, but haven't used yet:

"Thank you for calling the Federal Communications Commission. Your call has been forwarded to us under the new Anti-Spam legislation protocols. If you feel this is in error, please call 1-888-225-5322, select option 3, then enter your phone number with area code. Our computers will automatically trace the number you are calling from, and enter the number you have keyed in, and you will be transferred to the agent assigned to your case. Please note, when the number of calls forwarded to us exceeds the number indicated in the legislation, the case will be handed off to US Marshalls for further action. Thank you for your patience".
 
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