topic Re: Spam calls increasing this month? in Community Chat

Spam calls increasing this month?

dragonflyveb — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 18:09:27 GMT

I noticed a BIG increase in the number of spam calls when Medicare open enrollment started. Many calls have the same area code and extension as my phone number, which I guess is to make you think the caller is local so you pick up. I block the numbers, but they just call back using a different spoofed number.

What at a true nuisance these people are! I wish there were a way to stop them. Unfortunately, my cable company does not yet support NoMoRobo. I hope it will slow down after enrollment closes!

Anyone else getting more spam these days?

Re: Spam calls increasing this month?

nana59 — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 18:12:52 GMT

I wish I could stop the increase of catalogs during this month--what a waste....

Re: Spam calls increasing this month?

dragonflyveb — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 18:14:39 GMT

Me too! I get my mail and sort it right over the recycle bin. Most of it is junk.

Re: Spam calls increasing this month?

2blonde — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 18:19:49 GMT

My friend's 83 year old mother just got a call today threatening to send her to jail because she owed taxes (it was a recording). Of course she thought it was for real and called her daughter right away to tell her. Unfortunately, her mother won't even get caller ID on her phone......she just answers every call.

Re: Spam calls increasing this month?

Perkup — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 18:24:14 GMT

Even worse, we have elections this month too. One politician after another calling in support of their favorite "candidate". Call after call for home security systems, senior life support systems, walk in bathtubs, home warranties, and most often soliciting money for firemen and police organizations. Will it ever end?

Re: Spam calls increasing this month?

IMW — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 18:24:20 GMT

You’re totally on target. I use the robophone to stop the calls. Election Day also brings the calls.

On the front page of QVC is a robophone stopper- $59 dollars or so- worth every cent.

Re: Spam calls increasing this month?

dragonflyveb — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 18:26:22 GMT

Yeah, I get those also. Jury duty, back taxes, IRS, on and on.

If they are going to arrest me, I sure hope they send a single, good-looking officer about my age! I love a man in uniform! LOL!

Re: Spam calls increasing this month?

Tinkrbl44 — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 18:30:19 GMT

Funny you should mention this .... I've had a whole slew of spam texts and since my cell phone is registered on the Do Not Call list, I wonder where they are coming from ...

Re: Spam calls increasing this month?

NickNack — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 18:38:52 GMT

It really surprises me that you all know where these calls are coming from. I never answer the phone when I don't recognize a number so have no idea who they are or what they want. I am signed up for Nomorobo and have call blocker on my phone but still get the calls. The call blocker on my phone helps a lot though.

Re: Spam calls increasing this month?

Carmie — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 18:46:17 GMT

I get between 8 and 15 calls a day that I have to jump up and put on the “ call block” on my phone. They are coming from the same area code or from a long list of numbers that start with a V. Some are local and from numbers that I know the people and they are deceased. Their family is not calling me.

My DH will go on Medicare soon and the calls have increased this summer because of that. I have answered a few calls and asked to be taken off of their list and even reported a few people who call a lot.

I am on the “ do not call list” and have signed up for nomorobo and my phone number is unlisted and I use call block. Nothing seems to work. They callers are like cockroaches who craw out of the woodwork from 8 am to about 10 pm every day. I feel like I am being invaded by bugs.

Re: Spam calls increasing this month?

CAcableGirl2 — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 19:04:14 GMT

I have nomorobo and also had it put on my parents phone. There are numerous calls that ring once and then are gone. Every time I hear the "one ring" calls, I know that nomorobo is working. I used to run to the phone thinking that it was an important call only to get someone telemarketing solar for my home. But now, I just wait until it rings at least twice before answering. There are still a few calls that get through, but nearly all of those annoying calls are gone.

And now they show the call is from the same area code, just to make you think that they aren't some telemarketing firm.

If you have the option to sign up for nomorobo (it's free), it's well worth it.

Re: Spam calls increasing this month?

Deanie — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 19:06:57 GMT

I have NoMoRobo but the spammers have found a way around their alogorithms. Now, I get calls that are sppofed from my own area.

Re: Spam calls increasing this month?

Azcowgirl — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 20:21:40 GMT

I'm getting more lately too. I don't answer but they leave voice mail, and they change their numbers as quickly as I can delete them. Grrrrrr.

Re: Spam calls increasing this month?

excpa — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 20:50:49 GMT

Not only spam calls, but spam e-mails.

Re: Spam calls increasing this month?

Financialgrl — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 21:09:02 GMT

Oh yeah - I get those and I'm not eligible for Medicare for 3 more years. I never answer calls I don't recognize but I have a home issue still under warranty and I have been told I'm to get a call from the contractor who will come to assess/fix/address the issue. I have no idea if the company name will be on caller ID or if the particular contractor sent will be on a cell phone so I've been answering.

Today it was life insurance - three calls and after, "no, not interested", the last one I told that I think the same company is hitting me up since I answered and told them to not call again!

Re: Spam calls increasing this month?

Carol08 — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 21:26:25 GMT

These calls come through on my landline. I have caller ID, so I never answer them. Sometimes I press the disconnect button, and then call the number back on my cellphone. Sure enough, the number is listed as a disconnected number. Since they use the same area code as my landline number, they think I will answer - thinking it is a local call, I used to answer in Spanish,and would them I don't speak English. I speak a little Spanish - but they didn't know that. If they told me that they don't speak Spanish, I would tell them that I don't either - but I do speak "Alleman", which is German in Spanish. By that time, I have wasted their time, and they get so frustrated they hang up.

Re: Spam calls increasing this month?

cotton4me — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 21:31:54 GMT

I've noticed a definite increase lately, 10 - 12 spam calls each day. I have a call blocker but they use new numbers every day.

ETA - My call blocker can block by the exchange as well as area code. I've blocked our exchange because they keep using it trying to fool us into thinking someone in our neighborhood is calling.

Re: Spam calls increasing this month?

Carol08 — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 21:30:44 GMT

Another good way to confront these people is to get a whistle and blow it into the phone. I heard a radio commentator mention this. It will either give the person on the other end a massive headache, or destroy their hearing for a while.

Re: Spam calls increasing this month?

catwhisperer — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 00:08:38 GMT

We have had a definite increase lately. Just today, we have had five, starting at 8 A.M. It does no good to block the numbers. They just come back with more numbers. My phone carrier does not support NoMoRobo. I am so sick of it. DH is ill and sleeps much of the time during the day, so is awakened by the calls, but does not want to get rid of the landline.

Re: Spam calls increasing this month?

shoekitty — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 00:52:21 GMT

The reason for more calls is this past Feb they threw out the internet privacy act , that was enacted in 2011. Now your internet providor can and does gather your internet browsing and can sell the places you go to to marketing companies. Which it has in record numbers. The info has your internet address and, age group, internet browsing and shopping habits. Before the internet companies like google, verizon, att&t, etc. were not allowed to sell your info, it was private. Now, no more.