topic Re: ROBO-calls in Community Chat

ROBO-calls

gonnab — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 15:58:45 GMT

Can you believe? It is 11:00 am on July 4th - a holiday, and I just received a robo-call!! Got another one earlier this morning - a little after 8:00 am. It's a holiday, for heavens sake! I never pick up these calls if I don't recognize the number on CID and I am on a no-call list, to boot! This is just plain annoying!!

Re: ROBO-calls

Still Raining — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 16:08:43 GMT

More than annoying - that no call list is a joke.

Re: ROBO-calls

snappyfrappy — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 20:35:05 GMT

Why do those people call but not say anything when I answer? We got a gadget that blocks numbers. It only holds 80, and got full, so we emptied it and are starting over. We always let the answering machine pick up and most of the time whoever is calling hangs up.

Re: ROBO-calls

Clover29 — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 20:40:57 GMT

We used to get calls like that all the time; I never picked up because I wasn't expecting anyone to call, and whoever was calling never left a message which is a sure sign they're someone I don't want to talk to.

Then we moved house two months ago, got a new number, and haven't had a single "bad" call so far. Every call has been someone I actually knew and wanted to speak to.

I don't know how long that lasts, but I'm enjoying the honeymoon period for now.

Re: ROBO-calls

toodles11 — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 03:31:32 GMT

What gadget blocks numbers? Sure would like one.

Re: ROBO-calls

gloriajean — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 18:47:09 GMT

I would also like to know how to block those numbers.

Re: ROBO-calls

Q-Anu — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 19:09:00 GMT

I don't know about a gadget - some phone companies will let you block numbers through your online account, but my Panasonic landline phone lets me block up to 30. Of course they keep changing their numbers, so I'm always erasing them to make room for more. When a number is blocked, it will only ring once and display "caller blocked". Nice during dinner!

Snappy, those silent robo calls are searching for active numbers. If you pick up, they have you and your number is sold far and wide. I screen all calls from numbers I don't recognize. If they get your cell phone number, they can cost you money by leaving long VMs or texts if you don't have an unlimited plan. I never got all the political calls until I joined the Do Not Call list. They leave loooong messages.

Re: ROBO-calls

AnikaBrodie — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 19:22:24 GMT

I get those calls too. I don't answer if a call is outside my area code unless I am expecting one from a friend/relative (I would recognize the number) and those calls are so annoying. They never say anything and never leave a message. How do you get rid of them???

I've done reverse call ID but all they say is it's a probable scam. Don't answer. I already know that!

Re: ROBO-calls

Q-Anu — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 19:29:19 GMT

Those silent ones that don't display a number in Caller ID.... it just reads "out of area" - you can't block them! At least I can't with my phone. Possibly through the phone company. All I can do is refuse to answer their harassment. I hope better laws are made soon so that all callers must show up on Caller ID. No, they don't leave a message because they are just searching for active numbers to SELL.

Re: ROBO-calls

dooBdoo — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 21:44:41 GMT

First of all, the Do Not Call Registry does work to a very limited extent. It does keep those ethical businesses from calling, but political calls, charities, etc., are exempt. And unethical callers will ignore anything put in place to protect us.

It's best not to answer calls if you don't recognize the caller ID. If you answer, they know they've found a "live" number and you'll likely get more calls as a result (your number goes on a list and sometimes it's sold to other unscrupulous callers).

Remember, many robocalls don't know your number at first -- it's a computer that scrolls through phone numbers chronologically, hoping to find someone who will answer.

There's a great company called Nomorobo that answered and won the FCC's challenge last year. Their service is free, and you can find a number of articles about them. They don't offer it everywhere just yet, but on their website you can fill in your provider and location and see if you can sign up:

Nomorobo

(link goes to: https://www.nomorobo.com/)

Here's just one article explaining the problem and some solutions:

Screen unwanted calls without one-at-a-time blocking

The free Nomorobo service and AT&T's Privacy Manager help reduce the number of nuisance calls that aren't blocked by the Do Not Call registry. Cnet.com, 4/17/14:

(link: http://www.cnet.com/how-to/screen-unwanted-calls-without-one-at-a-time-blocking/)

Re: ROBO-calls

WaJa61 — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 22:04:19 GMT

Agreeing that the silent auto robo dialer with no visible number to block is the most annoying of all. I have never answered it, yet it rings in here several times a day.

Re: ROBO-calls

gloriajean — Sun, 06 Jul 2014 00:24:54 GMT

I get the same calls I usually do after registering with the Do Not Call List - they are not charity ones or political, but one which only has on for the number says "Without Caller ID" I did ans. it and told them to take my number off, which they never did, when I asked what they wanted, they say that my computer is ready to crash and I should do this and that and this and that to prevent it. I never ans. those or any other ones again. Thankfully I don't get text messages or voice messages from them.

Re: ROBO-calls

gonnab — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 22:02:29 GMT

These calls are increasing! First one was at 8:00 this morning - and I have received 4 more during the day! Don't answer but it's getting to be a problem!!!

Re: ROBO-calls

agnesann — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 20:44:39 GMT

gloriajean - that is a well known hacking scam and you are wise to have hung up and never answer again. Also report it to your phone company, though they use disposable cell numbers.

gonnab, it sounds like your number has recently made some distribution list. Did you recently give it out in public? Like apply for a credit card, for example? I know my own bank sold mine because I am so cautious about giving it out, but had to give it them. Immediately after I was bombarded for months. Another friend here was upon retiring and I've heard so many complaints of the charity and political calls increasing immediately after signing up for the DNC list. I have never joined it for that very reason. TG for call blocking!

Re: ROBO-calls

dooBdoo — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 20:54:59 GMT

On 7/7/2014 gonnab said:
These calls are increasing! First one was at 8:00 this morning - and I have received 4 more during the day! Don't answer but it's getting to be a problem!!!

gonnab, You can do an Internet search for the phone number in the caller ID. There are a couple of great websites with reports on the numbers, info on who's behind some of them, suggestions for fixes to the problem.

Just put the phone number into the search bar, or go to these two safe, reliable websites: http://800notes.com/ (doesn't have to be an 800 number to look it up) and http://www.whocalledme.com/.

As agnesann said, if you've signed up with a company, website, promotion, etc., or if you've been a customer of a company, they do have the right to call unless you opt out. There's usually fine print that says they can contact you via phone, postal mail, or email unless you notify them otherwise.

Did you try the links I posted in Post #10 to see if you qualify for free call blocking?

Re: ROBO-calls

ROMARY — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 21:05:45 GMT

I'm now getting the home improvement/energy saver ones.........now, who would actually invite men from 'who knows where' to come into our homes, to 'inspect', advise, 'remodel', etc. ????? Oh, my goodness..............that's a 'no-no'.

Re: ROBO-calls

Financialgrl — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 13:11:22 GMT

Here's two I keep getting - "you can significantly lower your interest rate but there is little time left, this is the last call offering you this great deal". Last time my @## - I get two of these a day - never answer but the same message keeps going to voicemail.

The other one is for one of those medical alert systems (as in "help I've fallen and I can't get up" devices). It says someone has referred me and my number and if I act fast . . . I don't answer that robo call either.

Re: ROBO-calls

Havarti — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 20:39:07 GMT

I have a call blocker that has helped me. Here is the latest version of the one I have: http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Call-telemarketer-programming-accidental/dp/B00E914II6/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1405364962&sr=1-4&keywords=call+blocker

I programmed mine to stop all incoming calls from toll free area codes such as 800, 822, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, 880, 881, 882, 883, 884, 885, 886, 887, 888, 889. Then when I receive a call from a regular area code I do not answer unless I know who it is. If I don’t recognize the number I Google it and look to see if anyone as reported information on that phone number being a telemarketer – or not. If I find that the number is from a telemarketing business, I simply press a button the call blocker box and it adds that number to the blocked calls. When they call, it disconnects them.

I will tell you that the phone has to ring once for the call-blocker to check it, so I have learned not to answer any call on the first ring. If it is a blocked number, the call blocker will disconnect the call before it can ring a second time. The thing I have had a hard time with is UNblocking a call that I accidentally indicated should be blocked. I have had mine for over a year and have not been able to figure out how to unblock an important number.

It blocks up to 1,500 unwanted phone calls. It works with land lines, VoIP, and DSL services. If you have some other type of phone service you should check with the company before purchasing it.

I have to say this handy machine has helped ease some of my frustration with the ever increasing number of companies that ignore the Do Not Call list. There is one thing that has happened a couple of times lately that sent a chill down my back (caused flash back memories to a movie I saw when I was younger) . These calls show up on my caller ID as coming from my own phone number and I know I am home alone at the time. It feels creepy to see that on the caller ID. There is always a recorded message telling me it is my LAST CHANCE to lower my interest rate. They sure do give a lot of LAST CHANCES.

Re: ROBO-calls

WaJa61 — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 22:13:03 GMT

I sure do thank you for this info, Havarti!! I'll check out the device tonight. Is there a number you can call to ask how to remove numbers you've blocked? Maybe in your owners manual.

Re: ROBO-calls

SelahG — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 16:49:21 GMT

Looks promising, Havarti---I have had the calls from my own number---FREAKY!

Thanks to dooBdoo for those links, too.

Now if we could only find a solution for those that get around displaying a number at all in Caller ID. Ring, ring, ring daily from 8:00 am up until 8:00 pm or so.