topic Re: Spam Calls? in Community Chat

Spam Calls?

beach-mom — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 18:49:03 GMT

I have a spam filter on my cell phone. When I get a call from a number I don't know, I will let it go to voicemail. Almost all of the time the caller leaves no message.

The calls are coming through with my area code and location. When I do a reverse lookup, I see "low spam risk." But the location is almost always near Bartlesville , OK. That's the address, even though the number seems to be from here.

Has anyone else had this happen? I use White pages for reverse lookup. TIA!

Re: Spam Calls?

Still Raining — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 18:54:20 GMT

I got two this morning with no voicemail. Part of me wants to return the call and yell.

I just block them and mutter a few choice words.

Re: Spam Calls?

nambee — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 19:06:08 GMT

@beach-mom - Yes, it happens to me too.

From time-to-time it will happen once or twice a day for a week or so. And they rarely leave a message. I think it happens when the spammer has a "campaign" to sell something. When I do a reverse look-up, it will say "low spam risk" but I don't believe that for a second.

I have a spam blocker on my phone and do not answer any numbers that I don't recognize.

I heard that France now has much stronger laws and fines for spammers and robocalls. Wish we had the same thing here.

Re: Spam Calls?

beckyb1012 — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 19:10:46 GMT

I do not have a spam filter but if a number only pops up and is not one of my contacts I let it go to voice mail and 9 times out of 10 they do not leave one.

Re: Spam Calls?

nambee — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 19:39:33 GMT

From what I've heard, a computer does the actual dialing. They can dial thousands of numbers a day and many people don't answer so they save money by not paying a real person to do the initial dialing. Of course, if no one answers, the computer doesn't leave a message except in those instances where the company has a pre-recorded message that goes to everyone they call.

If someone does answer, the call is transferred to a live person. That's why there's usually silence for a few seconds if you do answer because they're switching you over to a live person to do their dirty work.

Re: Spam Calls?

PhilaLady1 — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 19:41:55 GMT

I think the spammers obtain phone numbers with your area code so that the receiver will be more likely to answer the call. It's all trickery and I respectfully say to everyone, don't be fooled by this.

Re: Spam Calls?

Snowpuppy — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 19:47:57 GMT

I don't have a spam filter but it's rare that I answer a number I don't recognize. I live in a different area code than my cell number.

I got a call from "Verizon" with a local area code asking me to confirm my purchase of 2 iPhone 17's and to authorize the billing to my account. Sure, why not? I don't have a Verizon account. 😁

That said, I did get a call from a "likely spam" number. It was a legit call to schedule delivery of a new bedding set.

Re: Spam Calls?

SharkE — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 19:53:32 GMT

mostly around campaign time

roofers when they hear your area has been hit by hail

Police wanting a donation

Only a handful of people have my private cellphone

and that's by choice.

My landline I can block calls.

Re: Spam Calls?

RescueLover — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 19:57:07 GMT

It’s called “Spoofing” when perpetrators set up temporary digital phone accounts to obtain a local phone number.

The original call number is Masked.

Never answer the call.

Let the call go to voicemail.

AND Never return the call. Delete it and report as Spam.

Re: Spam Calls?

RescueLover — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 20:01:22 GMT

The worst is when they do a dangerous Swatting call to police using Your information.

Re: Spam Calls?

catter70 — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 20:08:40 GMT

Happens every day. If I don't recognize the #, I don't answer. Rarely do they leave a message. More political calls lately, too. I block a lot of calls.

Re: Spam Calls?

kze — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 20:39:53 GMT

@nambee wrote:
From what I've heard, a computer does the actual dialing. They can dial thousands of numbers a day and many people don't answer so they save money by not paying a real person to do the initial dialing. Of course, if no one answers, the computer doesn't leave a message except in those instances where the company has a pre-recorded message that goes to everyone they call.

If someone does answer, the call is transferred to a live person. That's why there's usually silence for a few seconds if you do answer because they're switching you over to a live person to do their dirty work.

@nambee

That is true. almost all are computerized.

Re: Spam Calls?

LizzieInSRQ — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 22:09:01 GMT

@beach-mom everyday. Ilet them go to voice mail.

In the evening, I do a block and delete session.

If you dont answer they do get less and less. If you answer and a few seconds go by with no one saying anything on the other side, your nuber is being listed as a live active one and it gets on lists for other solicitors.

I jnow this to be true from experimenting from the last 6 months,

Re: Spam Calls?

Cookie2025 — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 09:46:18 GMT

I have been on the receiving end of the pesky spam calls too. This non sense just started. I am wondering if it has anything to do with the Health Insurance renewals/enrollments. I am convinced someone has sold our telephone numbers to these people.

No one is on the other end of the call for me either -

Re: Spam Calls?

Rockycoast — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:13:54 GMT

I use my landline 90% of the time. Rarely do I get calls on my cell phone. With both I only answer calls that I recognize the number. I don't bother with reverse call look up. No reason to. My phone conveniently has a call block button on it. It gets used frequently.

Re: Spam Calls?

CANDLEQUEEN — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 13:51:10 GMT

I have been getting quite a few but my machine pops up and says Spam Risk, so we dont answer....They never leave a message either.....

Re: Spam Calls?

Estellee — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 15:20:09 GMT

I turn on my fax machine and within a day or so the calls end.

Re: Spam Calls?

Sage04 — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 21:58:10 GMT

At least once a month for a week, I take out my SIM card so no calls or texts can come through. The message says that the person isn't available. My family and I switch to Whatsapp for that time. Just put back in my SIM Card a few hours ago. Two calls came in and I decided to answer just for fun and gave them the loudest HELLOOOOO ever twice and just as they said good afternoon I disconnected the call and block the numbers. My neighbor across the street thought I was saying hello to her so we had a good laugh.

Those times are so peaceful!!! I always disconnect the call if I don't recognize it on the first ring and then block it.