Community Chat

[CelticCrafter]

The Do Not Call registry is a joke anymore and filing a complaint with them is just a waste of time.

When it first went into effect, it was great.

We use nomorobo now and with the ability to block certain numbers altogether through our carrier has helped a lot.  Once I block them, I don't even get the one ring.

It's just annoying that blocking calls has become a weekly chore.

[lovestopaint]

We just got one of those call blocker buttons that they sell on HSN, as soon as we see the number of wjose calling we press the button and they are blocked.

[gmkb]

The Do Not Call Registry is not enforced any longer.  It used to work very well.  We are bombarded with calls every day, which I do not answer based on the caller ID.

Someone here mentioned HSN selling a blocking mechanism that I plan to look into.

[jackthebear]

Get an answering machine and use it.

Do NOT answer any call from a number you do not know,

rinse and repeat

use the do not call, or the Nomorerobo

if you have a phone that blocks a number use that.

[cotton4me]

@SydneyH

I feel your pain.  Our telemarketing calls began about two years ago.  Our phone company does not support Nomorobo.  I did some research and we bought a call blocker that was recommended by Consumer Reports - Digitone Call Blocker Plus.  

It has a lot more programming options than other call blockers.  It can block by number, area code or name.  You can program it to only let calls through at certain hours, create a list of callers who can always get through, etc.  I've used it to block all 800 numbers.  However, I found there were legitimate 800 numbers I wanted to come through and I can program that too (credit union, AAA, airlines).  

A good resource for checking on the validity of a number is 800 Notes.  It's a website where people report telemarketing calls.  If I'm unsure of a number, whether to block it or not, I check that website.  I've also reported numbers too.  

One more thing - the Digitone blocks 140 numbers.  I'm finding that it's not enough.  I want to contact them and ask about updating their equipment to block at least 1,000 numbers.  The telemarketers change numbers frequently.  

 Good luck!

[dooBdoo]

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gmkb wrote:

The Do Not Call Registry is not enforced any longer.  It used to work very well.  We are bombarded with calls every day, which I do not answer based on the caller ID.

Someone here mentioned HSN selling a blocking mechanism that I plan to look into.

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        @gmkb, The DNC Registry is enforced but their scope and abilities are limited.   Reputable businesses do abide by it, and on the occasion when they don't abide by it...  the FCC takes action against them.

        The problems are:

-- Some groups are exempt from the DNC list (certain political organizations, charities, etc.).

-- Sometimes we actually give consent for calls without realizing it (when we do business with a company and don't opt out of solicitations from them and/or associated companies, when we enter contests, when we use certain websites, etc.).

-- Nefarious entities use computers to scroll numerically through random phone numbers.  No DNC Registry can protect us against computers scrolling mindlessly through random phone numbers.  This is the reason our cell phones occasionally get these unwanted calls, too.

        These callers have no idea who they're calling, and they wait for a "hit" when someone answers a call and especially if we answer and interact with them -- by talking, or by pressing numbers on the phone, etc.  If we answer, our number goes on lists and we're almost guaranteed to get more calls.  

        The FCC has been unable to stop these because most of them are located outside the USA and are almost impossible to find and prosecute.

[KingstonsMom]

'Nomorerobo' isn't available in our area either, so we bought a 'Call Blocker' made by Digitone and it works perfectly!

Consumer Reports gave this one by Digitone the highest rating in their testing of call blockers.

We got ours on Amazon, around $100 and now it's eerily quiet around here sometimes, which I love!

It's very easy to set up (just plug it in!) and use! Too bad that QVC doesn't carry this one.

[Lipstickdiva]

Luckily Nomorobo supports TimeWarner in our area and that is our phone service.  It is fantastic. The phone rings 1 time and then it's disconnected.

The DNC is a complete waste of time.  In fact I swear we started to get MORE calls after I registered our phone number than prior to.  I also wouldn't waste my time filing a complaint.  It's useless. 

[halfpint1]

It was said that Verizon doesn't have it--darn. I can tell by the sound and I say I am not buying anything and hang up.

[BabyYoda]

We have a non listed number, I don't answer the phone unless I see on the caller ID who it is. Otherwise our machine picks up. I can also block numbers. It is so annoying when we get political campaign calls and charities on our machine. I can block them now.