GARGLEBLASTER Loc: Spain

It's a scrouge if the digital age. I get scam calls on a regular basis, usually supposedly from my ISP (that NEVER calls me to report and problem) or from some Indian guy claiming to be from Microsoft. The conversastions usually go something like this:

"I'm calling you from **** (my ISP)"

"No you're not"

"Yes I am"

"No you're not"

"Click" as the caller hangs up.

The same scenario from "Microsoft".

I've reported these calls to my telephone company that say it will block the calls but they still keep coming from different numbers.

Another scam call I have received puportedly came from HMRC (British equivalent of IRS). It's a recorded message of a woman with an American accent who says that "immediately after receiving this call I, or my solicitor, should call this number: *** **** ****. Do not ignore this warning before we take action against you. Have a nice day and take care." Of course that sounds like a genuine call from HMRC. In the end I called not only my telephone company but also an organisation called Action Fraud. Haven't had a repeat call from her in over a week.

firtree Loc: Florida, USA

I got a telemarketer call yesterday that came in from my own number. How does that happen?

viscountdriver Loc: East Kent UK

I blow a loud whistle down the receiver.They do not come back.

lateron Loc: Yorkshire, England

So am I, but I still get them!

Dbotnick Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

Here in the US I use NOMOROBO. It handles sober 80% of the calls and is free.
https://www.nomorobo.com

richosob Loc: Lambertville, MI

If I get a call from an 800 number I will answer and then hang up. I figure this is going to cost them money and they do eventually stop calling.

Rich

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes, I have the perfect solution. A few months ago, I got CPR Call Blocker. It comes with 5,000 numbers programmed into it, so the calls never get through. Several times during the day, the phone will ring just once, as the machine detects a telemarketer. I can enter numbers to allow or to block numbers manually. When the phone rings now, I can be pretty sure that it's my son calling. This device isn't cheap, but it works.

https://smile.amazon.com/CPR-Call-Blocker-V5000/dp/B0191XMBV2/ref=smi_www_rco2_go_smi_g2243582042?_encoding=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0&ie=UTF8

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

It's like getting your email hacked and having your friends or even yourself sending you scams.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

I don't know if this will work outside the US, but go to nomorobo.com and register your phone number with them. They will block all telemarketer calls after the first ring, so they can't affect your voicemail. You can also give them any number you want them to block, and the service is totally free. Only drawback is that not all phone service providers will cooperate, but nomorobo will know if yours does.

bbrowner Loc: Chapel Hill, NC

I usually don't answer. Occasionally I'll answer. If I get a live person... I pick up my piccolo trumpet and play just one (awful) loud and horrible note right into the receiver. (I was a professional trumpet player when younger.)

Barry

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I think that was my problem with Time Warner - no cooperation with nomorobo.

thephotoman Loc: Rochester, NY

I have a cell phone, and I am on the national do not call list. Despite this, I still get unwanted calls. I think some of these scammers are ignoring the do not call list. Also, I have found they have acnew gimmick. They they you to hit a certain number and they will remove you from their list. With text messages they want you to text them the word stop to come off the list.
I now use an app called Should I Answer. It identifies if the caller is a telemarketer.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

The problem with that is that most of these telemarketer calls are recorded messages, not a real person on the other end of the line and by answering the phone you verify that your number is an active phone number so that they will keep calling back.

Another trick that they use is automatic dialers which dial every number in an exchange, so they get cell phone numbers to.

pixelcene Loc: Texan in New Hope, PA

I read about this reply and have used it on more than one occasion . . . just for fun. It goes like this:

Hello-
(once they start their story . . . )
Hang on (into the phone and turning away from the phone say loudly)
The shotgun is in the closet and the revolver is under my pillow . . .
(turning back to the phone . . . )
Sorry, what were you saying?
(Again once they start their story . . . )
Hang on
Make sure his hands are tied tightly behind his back and the tape covers his mouth and eyes . . .
(turning back to the phone . . .)
Okay, what were you saying? We have a lot going on here. . .
(As they start again. . . yell away from the phone)
I do not care about that, just shoot the SOB if he tries that again.
(say back into the phone . . .)
Its a little crazy here. Now, what is it you want?

Make it up as you go and have fun listening to how they respond...

llamb Loc: Northeast Ohio

I talk to them, and talk and talk and... I tell them about my life as a child. I ask about their relatives. They soon hang-up. Have I ever told you about Joe and me re-cycling a dead squirrel?

~Lee