topic Re: DONTANSWERSPAM in Community Chat

DONTANSWERSPAM

esmerelda — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 18:44:29 GMT

That's what occasionally shows up on my caller ID. And the phone number it's coming from is an area code and then 000 and then the last four digits of the number.

Has anyone else gotten either of these? Did you answer? Any idea what it is?

Re: DONTANSWERSPAM

HappyDaze — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 18:46:16 GMT

LOL reverse psychology!

No, I haven't!

Re: DONTANSWERSPAM

Krimpette — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 18:47:50 GMT

I never answer calls like that. In fact, I don't answer any calls unless I recognize the caller. I often will google the number and see if it's been reported as spam. Then I block the call.

Re: DONTANSWERSPAM

shaggygirl — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 18:49:07 GMT

Not exactly that but have gotten 000-000-0000. Second strangest one is when my own number shows up.

Re: DONTANSWERSPAM

suzyQ3 — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 18:52:47 GMT

@esmerelda, I can't speak to that specific spam number, but we just simply don't answer if it's a number that we don't recognize, unless we are expecting a call from someone who might have Caller ID.

We also use various no-call options, one of which is through our phone company. Since then, the spam calls get dropped after one ring.

Oh, and also, @esmerelda, be very careful. There is an ingenious scam dubbed the "yes" scam:

If you still have a landline phone, make sure you aren't snared in the latest robocall scam.

Anyone who still has a traditional home phone dreads the hated robocall. As part of the latest scam, the caller, instead of mentioning who they are, instead asks "Can you hear me?" That could be a sign that a scammer is on the other end of the line.

The Federal Communications Commission Monday issued a consumer alert against just such scammers. When a caller says, "Yes," that they can hear the robocall, their reply is recorded and used to authorize fraudulent charges via telephone on the victim's utility or credit card account, the FCC says.

The scam is prevalent, based on complaints the agency has received and from news reports across the U.S. The fraudulent callers may impersonate familiar organizations to get you to answer and talk.

"Robocalls are the number one consumer complaint to the FCC from the public. And it’s no wonder: Every month, U.S. consumers are bombarded by an estimated 2.4 billion robocalls," said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai last week at the agency's March meeting, during which the commission voted to begin a rulemaking process to eliminate robocalls.

"Not only are unwanted robocalls intrusive and irritating, but they are also frequently employed to scam our most vulnerable populations, like elderly Americans, out of their hard-earned dollars," Pai said.

What you should do, according to the FCC? Hang up immediately. Or better yet, don't answer a call from an unknown number.

If you have gotten a call such as this, review your credit card and telephone bills, as well as your bank statement for unauthorized charges.

Anyone who believes they have been targeted by this scam should immediately report the incident to the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker and the FCC Consumer Help Center.

Other FCC robocall tips:

— Hang up if a caller asks you to hit a button to stop receiving calls. It's often a recording. Scammers often use that tactic to identify and target live respondents.

— If you do answer what winds up being a scam call, write the number down and add that to your FCC complaint.

— Ask your telephone company if it has a robocall blocking service. If it doesn't, recommend it get one.

— Register all of your telephone numbers in the National Do Not Call Registry

Re: DONTANSWERSPAM

sunshine45 — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 18:56:13 GMT

no, have never seen that type of a call on my cell phone or landline.

i dont answer phone calls on either phone if i dont recognize the number from caller id. i let them go to voicemail and nine times out of ten they wont even leave a voicemail.

Re: DONTANSWERSPAM

Moonchilde — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 18:56:44 GMT

Any way out of area code I don't answer. Any number where I'm not expecting a call, I don't answer. I moved over a year ago and no longer answer calls from my old area code because I was blocking spam calls daily.

If I want to be sure I'm not missing a call I should answer I do a look-up. A legit business will show, or if it's an ordinary residential number (wrong number) it will show that. Many times the number has been reported as spam. I block most numbers I don't recognize. If it's anything legit and someone needs to contact me they can leave a voicemail or text me.

Re: DONTANSWERSPAM

SilleeMee — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 19:08:13 GMT

I've been turning my home phone off lately because of the telemarketers. If someone needs to speak with me then they can leave a message and I will return their call.

Re: DONTANSWERSPAM

chickenbutt — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 19:19:14 GMT

That's a weird one! Maybe your carrier is putting that 'name' on it. I know that carriers are doing more to make it easier to avoid these calls, especially in settings.

I wish I could figure out, on my new-ish cell phone, how to block calls right away. I have to just reject the call, then go into it and choose details and there is a 'block' setting. I'd ike to block them as they come in. It seems like there would be a setting for that.

Re: DONTANSWERSPAM

Annabellethecat66 — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 19:22:12 GMT

OMG! Recently I've been getting sales calls from numbers that are almost exactly like my home phone number (on my home phone).

I have a marvelous telephone where I can push a button on it that says "Call Block" and it says "Do I want to block call" and I say "Yes" and I don't get any more calls from that number. I've used it more than 100 times within this year. It is heaven!

Re: DONTANSWERSPAM

jackthebear — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 19:22:23 GMT

@chickenbutt wrote:
That's a weird one! Maybe your carrier is putting that 'name' on it. I know that carriers are doing more to make it easier to avoid these calls, especially in settings.

I wish I could figure out, on my new-ish cell phone, how to block calls right away. I have to just reject the call, then go into it and choose details and there is a 'block' setting. I'd ike to block them as they come in. It seems like there would be a setting for that.

nomorerobo for phones, there's an android and apple app but you have to pay for it

Re: DONTANSWERSPAM

chickenbutt — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 19:48:52 GMT

Thanks for the info on nomorobo. I have it for my landline and it makes a HUGE difference.

I went into check for my cell phone and since I'm 'Android', it's not here yet. But I could sign up for early release. I don't get all that many on my cell phone - maybe 4-5 a week, if that, but I'd pay a small amount to preclude them anyway.

Re: DONTANSWERSPAM

Pqfan — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 21:07:35 GMT

I thought this said : Don't answer Pam.

My thought was why what did I do now!!!?

Re: DONTANSWERSPAM

dex — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 22:20:39 GMT

@esmerelda It is a scam from Ontario Canada..they say they are your blue cross health

Re: DONTANSWERSPAM

Nataliesgramma — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 09:51:53 GMT

The fraud people are doing everything to make you answer the call.

Don't fall for it.

Re: DONTANSWERSPAM

Lynnster67 — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 15:01:09 GMT

Ditto here despite being on the DNC registry.

Yesterday I rec'd 3 calls from "Rachel from Card Services" about lowering the interest rate on my credit cards.

1. My credit reports are frozen due to identity theft a few years ago so how would they know anything about what CCs I have?

2. I am a transactor, not a revolver. Since I pay my bills in full every month, I NEVER pay interest charges and thus the CC interest rate is irrelevant.

Re: DONTANSWERSPAM

depglass — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 15:43:03 GMT

Congress and The Senate: Since you seem paralyzed with nothing to do, how about putting a stop to these ridiculous calls? I can't believe you are protecting some special interest.

Re: DONTANSWERSPAM

chickenbutt — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 16:29:51 GMT

Great idea, Depglass. I'm sure you're not holding your breath either.

I'm just gobsmacked at how many people answer these calls still! Stop answering them. Block them if you can. Get nomorobo if youcan. But, STOP answering them!