Among Friends

[chrystaltree]

I don't know why people still get all worked over this.  It is what it is.  We only use our landline for the fax and we have never given the number out to anyone.  Yet, all day long I see the incoming calls flash across the tv screen.  Whatever.  I don't care.  We both have our smart phones which are getting better at blocking junk or scam calls for us.  Sometimes the phone rings once, sometimes it doesn't ring at all and I get that  "Likely a Scam Call" message.  Of course, some still get through.  I try not to answer numbers I don't recognize but that's hard.  However, it only takes about 10 seconds of blah blah blah and I know what it is and I hang up and block that number.  Not that it does much good, they have a never ending supply of phone numbers to use.  Honestly, it doesn't bother me now.  It's just one of the inconveniences of the modern world.  

[grandma2pkmh]

If you have Nomorobo, don't forget to report those fake local numbers.  It helps improve their blocking.

[emmysmom]

I have blocked so many numbers..finally just unplugged the phone! My kids can message me anytime on my computer! The calls would start early in the morning and late at night! Its a nightmare!

[dooBdoo]

           The latest estimate I read is that there were 3.4 billion robocalls in the month of April 2018 in the U.S. -- an increase by almost 900 million a month compared with a year ago.

            They use software and devices that scroll through random numbers at astronomical speed, so in most cases they have no idea who they're calling.   

            Seeing our own number on the caller ID is an old spoofing trick -- the newest changes sense the typical area code of the location being called and spoof that area code to trick us into thinking it's local.

            It's here and it's escalating because people answer and many people fall for the criminal hoaxes which are perpetrated by entities in other countries, who are very hard to find and very hard to prosecute or punish.

            I dropped my landline ages ago, and my cell phone doesn't get as many junk calls now.   I use the "Hiya" and the "Trucaller" apps and keep them updated, and they do a good job of identifying and warning of -- or blocking -- junk.   Nomorobo is great, but still not available for everyone.

            Best bet is to stay up-to-date on articles about the issue and also about the behavior and technology we can use to try and protect ourselves; continue to be vocal to the powers-that-be; and warn the people we care about so they won't fall prey to the scumoftheearth who perpetuate this despicable trickery.

[LurkyLoo]

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@viva923 wrote:

so far we have had good luck with a few ROBO calls. Lately tho it has picked up something fierce. I have a 5000 number call blocker. Can’t remember the name, I know it came from the UK. Anyway, it is hooked up to one phone and i answer that phone only. I like land line phones that is why I keep the line. 

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I believe I have this same call blocker, that I bought through Amazon, @viva923. It really is helpful and somewhat satisfying when I hear the 'one' ring and know they are blocked. Still I get several new ones a day. It's never ending, and I feel that I'm paying for phone service mainly to be harassed. 

[NickNack]

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@dooBdoo wrote:

           The latest estimate I read is that there were 3.4 billion robocalls in the month of April 2018 in the U.S. -- an increase by almost 900 million a month compared with a year ago.

            They use software and devices that scroll through random numbers at astronomical speed, so in most cases they have no idea who they're calling.   

            Seeing our own number on the caller ID is an old spoofing trick -- the newest changes sense the typical area code of the location being called and spoof that area code to trick us into thinking it's local.

            It's here and it's escalating because people answer and many people fall for the criminal hoaxes which are perpetrated by entities in other countries, who are very hard to find and very hard to prosecute or punish.

            I dropped my landline ages ago, and my cell phone doesn't get as many junk calls now.   I use the "Hiya" and the "Trucaller" apps and keep them updated, and they do a good job of identifying and warning of -- or blocking -- junk.   Nomorobo is great, but still not available for everyone.

            Best bet is to stay up-to-date on articles about the issue and also about the behavior and technology we can use to try and protect ourselves; continue to be vocal to the powers-that-be; and warn the people we care about so they won't fall prey to the scumoftheearth who perpetuate this despicable trickery.

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@dooBdoo  I downloaded Hiya a little while ago, and it's never blocked anything.  After reading your post I just checked it, and I didn't have it set up properly.  Now I do.  Thanks for posting this.

[Tyak]

ITA with the OP on this.  These type of calls have gotten completely out of hand.  They call 7 days a week, from morning to night and for me at least, have taken any enjoyment out of having a phone.  

[Kachina624]

I've found the scammers and solicitors let the phone ring just 3 or at most 4 times, then they hang up.  They don't want to trigger answering machines which usually kick in after the 4th ring.  If the phone continues to ring after that, I might think about answering it.

[Nataliesgramma]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

I've found the scammers and solicitors let the phone ring just 3 or at most 4 times, then they hang up.  They don't want to trigger answering machines which usually kick in after the 4th ring.  If the phone continues to ring after that, I might think about answering it.

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Good point.....I can't remember the last time a scam call went to voicemail

[CalminHeart]

I've been blocking robo call numbers ever since I got rid of my landline.  It's been a long haul but I now receive very few.  I'll get some closer to elections but otherwise, I get very few, perhaps 1-2 a month and those get blocked too.