Spam calls

[harley08]

I was getting an excessive amount of spam calls 18 months ago. Just answering one I was charged 1500$. Got with my provider and got charges dismissed and they put a app on my phone that only people in my contact list could call, all the rest went to voice mail. It works great! However, every subcontractor I'm expecting has to text me their number to put in my contacts so their call can come through. If they leave a voice mail I can listen and decide to respond. I use a local carrier US Celluar, been with them since the late 80's.
How many spam calls do you get?

I just answer with 'Rochester Police Dept can I hep you?' and they always hang up.

 

[37fed]

I have to keep a landline due to poor cell service. We just got fiber internet with VOIP phone on it, same number. They offered several blocks, the basic was anonymous call block. Have had only 3 spam calls come through in 3 weeks. Checked to see if phone still works. Used to get as many as 25 a day.

 

[powder smoke]

Having a contact list would be a pain in the rear. The easiest thing to do is not answer the phone and if it's important enough they'll leave a message.

That's my method also!

 

[RSIno1]

What amazes me is that the phone companies can't end spam calling. They say that they are coming from other countries or are spoofing numbers.

Oh wait, the phone companies make money on every one of those calls. Silly me.

They don't want to end them. Would you chase away some of your best customers?
I have a simple plan. If you get a robo call you don't want you merely press #. That gets you a $1 credit on you bill for your trouble. The phone company gets $1 for handling the transaction and here is the important part where it could get some traction .gov gets $1 as a fine for the telemarketer ignoring the do not call list. How many telemarketers can survive if each call costs them $3?

 

[beentheredone]

So -- if I have unlimited talk, text and data, how exactly am I being charged more if I answer one of these calls?

 

[Simmonsburg]

I only take calls from contact i have saved in my phone, I never take random calls. They are either relatives trying to borrow some money or spam calls.

 

[KIR]

I answer in various foreign languages. Ex: Guten tag, ich nicht spricht Deutsche (German-don't know why everyone seems to think that word means Dutch?). Actually the only German I know is from watching reruns of Hogans Heroes. Raus, Raus dumkopft!

 

[beentheredone]

Another way I will answer spam calls: "State Department of Consumer Affairs, Telemarketing Enforcement Division. What is your complaint?"

 

[Dashvpop]

For blocking, some phone carriers do have built-in options, and there are apps out there that let you block numbers outside your contact list, kind of like what you mentioned with your current setup. But I get that it can be annoying having to add every single number manually, especially for contractors or one-off calls.

One thing that might help you get more info on who's calling is to use resources like whocalled.co.uk, where you can check unknown numbers and see if they've been flagged by others. It's especially helpful for spotting recurring spam numbers or scams.

 

[Mobuck]

RING RING, pick up phone. If someone actually speaks: I respond in my most official sounding voice "Hello, you've reached the Missouri Fraud Hotline. How may I direct your call? C L I C K--they're gone.

 

[JackBull]

I just answer with 'Rochester Police Dept can I hep you?' and they always hang up.

If you answer they know your number is live and will only increase the calls. These bastards are not afraid of the police, the are squatting in some hell hole.

 

[gnappi]

A contact file is easy to start and maintain, easier still to not answer if the caller is not in the list.

I'm with T-Mobile and they develop their own spam caller list of robo / spam calls that start to go out to their customers so when a spam call comes to me they set the caller ID as "Suspected Spam Caller"

 

[MaxMan]

That Maple flavored Spam in the cupboard keeps calling me.

 

[gnappi]

That Maple flavored Spam in the cupboard keeps calling me.

I'm not crazy about Spam but I didn't know they had a maple flavored version, I have to try it.

 

[MaxMan]

I'm not crazy about Spam but I didn't know they had a maple flavored version, I have to try it.

No bad IMHO. Of course the wife says if you step on my foot my mouth opens.

 

[Jeepnik]

I've said this one before, but I'll repeat.

Everyone on my contacts list has a unique ring tone. I really don't care which
one it is, just that it is not the default "ring . . ring . . ring". If any call comes in
that is ring-ring-etc. I do not answer, which puts them into voice mail.
(I use the [your number] is not available . . . as the voice mail "greeting")

When I receive a voice mail, I listen to it and, if it is someone I want to talk to,
I add them to my contacts list (with any unique ring tone), and then call them
back. - - - If it is anyone I do not want to talk with, I block them, delete the phone
mail, and clear the call history.

When I started this process, I was receiving from one to as many as six bogus
calls per day. I am now down to one or two per month. - - - It takes time, but since
you never talk with anyone you do not want to, it is worth it. (IMO)

And here I thought I invented that.

 

[arfmel]

I enjoyed a Spam, egg and cheese burrito for breakfast today.

 

[larry8]

Wife and I love the smoked version and bacon version of Spam. Just cut 1/2 of the blob into little pieces and fry with a few eggs.

 

[Jeepnik]

Wife and I love the smoked version and bacon version of Spam. Just cut 1/2 of the blob into little pieces and fry with a few eggs.

Spam and eggs is good. But I really miss scrambled eggs and brains.

 

[moparclan]

Had some spam idiot call and he was using my home phone number! Like, hello stupid I am home and cannot call my self from my own phone.