topic Re: Robo calls in Among Friends

Robo calls

dex — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 14:15:32 GMT

I just got one from agent comp again.They call daily and sometimes twice a day.This call was at 7 AM.The tough part is that my mom is very ill so whenever the phone rings my heart starts beating and I am thinking the worst possible thoughts.My phone only rings twice for these calls but it is enough to rattle me.Does anyone know who this caller is and what is the scam?

Re: Robo calls

jlkz — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 14:23:21 GMT

@dex

Dont know who the scammer is....however, the call blocker that the Q had on in the Fall really works. It is simple to install on your landline and will keep your phone from ringing once you press Block Call.

Since I installed it on my home line I have over 150 calls blocked without it ringing once even if they try to call. My office phone has over 175 calls blocked.

If if you make a mistake a block a call, you can easily in block it. The customer service # is helpful also.

Given the home situation and fear about the phone ringing with an emergency call ... it will save you from the anxiety and Adrenalin fear each time it rings.

Hope this helps.

Re: Robo calls

TaylorBrown — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 14:26:02 GMT

I get those doggone robo calls on my house and cell phones. I do not answer calls from numbers that I do not recognize, If the caller really needs to speak to me, they will leave a message.

Re: Robo calls

dex — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 14:27:03 GMT

@jlkz @Maybe I should try that one but this caller keeps changing numbers all of the time...sometimes they are local too.I have never answered and it seems they will not stop untill they get me.

Re: Robo calls

happycat — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 14:28:13 GMT

I do not know who it is. I cannot believe the phone companies or the government or someone cannot do anything about all these calls. I wonder if you called your attorney general and reported it, if they would do anything?

I've been getting threatening calls, but I haven't reported it. I tried to call them back to give them a piece of my mind, and I got a Happy Jack recording.....

Re: Robo calls

Krimpette — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 15:21:35 GMT

There's a big article in Consumer Reports this month about robocalls. But even after reading the article, I don't believe they'll ever be able to stop these scumballs. Someone will always find away around any solution. JMHO.

Re: Robo calls

hckynut — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 14:41:01 GMT

@dex

Have no idea who it might be. Since I bought our 4 phone cordless AT&T, with Smart Call Blocker(1,000 numbers), our robo calls have been reduced at least 99%. No Ring, Nice!

hckynut

Re: Robo calls

chrystaltree — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 14:41:15 GMT

It's not just one single caller; thousands upon thousands of entities make robo calls and we all get them. Phone carriers do try to weed them out but they can't keep up. T-Mobile is great at blocking those calls, I get a "likekly a scam call" after phone rings once. However, some still get through to me. Robo calls are not going away anytime soon. Quite the opposite, they are probably going to grow with the elections coming. They are just part of modern life, an annoyance that we all have to deal with. All we can do is how we react to them.

Re: Robo calls

jlkz — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 14:41:39 GMT

@dex

With scammers,mother # May “ appear “ local bit it is spoofed. E.g., I once got an 11:00 AM call from a local pizzeria that I don’t use. Next morning, close to the same time, I again got the call.

I called the real pizzeria and told them what had been happening. The guy responded: they are back again. Six months ago the phone company took care of the problem. Thanks for letting us know. End of calls.

You may block the calls if they are using different #’s. If they are using cells or wireless, there is an additional symbol to key in when you block the #. If the call comes in when you are out, there is a way to still block it.

The device come with 10- or 12000 #’s already programmed in: #’s that have had at least 100 complaints against called in to the bureau. Go for the 12000: chances are some of the calls you have gotten already are in the pre-programmed #’s.

Re: Robo calls

proudlyfromNJ — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 14:53:47 GMT

We have just always ignored them. Don’t answer unless I know exactly who it is and want to speak to them.

Used to get tons of robo calls. Now, not so many at all. Don’t know why. Maybe because they never got an answer.

Re: Robo calls

phoenixbrd — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 15:05:34 GMT

If someone needs to get in touch they will leave a message. The worst idea is returning a call to scammers thinking that you will show them, nope, you have shown them they have a live customer, the calls will increase, and they have won. At the end of the day, I block all calls that didn't leave messages. Blocking phone numbers does lessen the calls. That has helped somewhat (yes, they will change numbers and spoof numbers), as well as signing up for no more robo. Being placed on the no call list isn't much help and will increase calls if you talk to scammers and asked to be put on their no call lists. I don't put much energy/thought into these calls anymore. Just leave the phone alone and only pick up/return calls when you know the caller. No message, block and don't return scam calls for any reason....simple and no emotional investment.

Re: Robo calls

phoenixbrd — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 15:06:47 GMT

This is exactly what I do....

@proudlyfromNJ wrote:
We have just always ignored them. Don’t answer unless I know exactly who it is and want to speak to them.
Used to get tons of robo calls. Now, not so many at all. Don’t know why. Maybe because they never got an answer.

Re: Robo calls

ValuSkr — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 15:18:14 GMT

The spoofers change their number every time, so I think those calls would be impossible to block. The upshot is that many people don't answer their phone any more; they just check their voicemail to see if anyone legitimate called.

Re: Robo calls

JYWilliams — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 15:54:12 GMT

My mom number was spoofed to call me and my number was spoofed to call her. Around 5:35AM this morning my mom number called my phone and that's when I found out her number was spoofed. I was on the phone talking to my mom when she was getting a beep. Call waiting showed my number was calling her when I was already on the other end talking to her. It is a pain.

Re: Robo calls

proudlyfromNJ — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 15:58:23 GMT

The only spoof I had with the exact name and number was my own name and number. I knew I wasn’t calling myself.

Re: Robo calls

PINKdogWOOD — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 16:12:49 GMT

@jlkz Wow, this is quite a testimony on this product from you, especially since you're addressing landlines. Without checking out this product, perhaps it's good only for landlines which is great because yes, we still use our landline.

We get so many insane constant robo calls, scammer calls, real people calls begging for money (yes this actually happens too!) it is SO annoying. If this really works I'm in!!!!

Thanks for your input!

Re: Robo calls

Nightowlz — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 16:35:38 GMT

If you don't recognize the number don't answer the phone.

Even if you knew who the caller was chances are there is nothing you can do about it.

Some of these scammers are calling to make a list of working numbers to sell. If you answer the phone your number goes on the list they sell & you start getting more phone calls.

They call here daily from early morning before I get up until 9 pm.

I had one number that kept calling every day. I finally answered the phone & asked them WTH do you want to stop $%^&^(# calling me They have not called back since I cussed them out. LOL!!!

Re: Robo calls

luvmybeetle — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 18:52:28 GMT

@dex wrote:
@jlkz @Maybe I should try that one but this caller keeps changing numbers all of the time...sometimes they are local too.I have never answered and it seems they will not stop untill they get me.

Even if they get you they will still keep calling. I have that Robo Call devise from QVC and it works great. I have 638 blocked calls on it. If you get a call and don't recognize the number you can just hit the button and it stops and blocks the call. I love it. The only problem is the callers just change the number and call back. It's called the CPR Call Blocker V5000.

Re: Robo calls

jlkz — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 21:31:47 GMT

@PINKdogWOOD

After trying Do Not Call list and other hints that didn’t work, I got really tired of getting up and answering the phone.

Happened to see the call blocker and ordered 2 and hooked them up to my two lines. All I can tell you is that my home is so much quieter...for once something worked.

When I couldn’t block a #, I called CS and the friendly British person explained after he tried it that it was a wireless caller. He pointed out in the little booklet how to block those types.

It is a gem. If you make a mistake and block someone you didn’t mean to, it is simple to fix.

Re: Robo calls

PINKdogWOOD — Tue, 09 Apr 2019 11:05:13 GMT

@jlkz I have strong doubts on the do not call list as you do. Did you know you can actually dial that group back up to 'renew/update'? Why I'm not sure, it doesn't work.

Anymore now I'm home (retired) I don't even get up to answer the phone. If it's important and/or the caller really has a desire to chat with me, they can certainly leave a message. Wasn't that important, they never do. Thanks again!