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Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,168
Registered: ‎03-14-2010

The past month I have had a huge increase in not only slam calls, but almost every one leaves a lengthy voicemail. I am talking about all hours of the day and night and 7 days a week. Yesterday I had 17 calls from unknown numbers or places. I block them to no avail. Has anyone found a way to stop or lessen this nuisance? My carrier silences a few of them as potential spam, but that is just a fraction of them. Maddening! And why the sudden increase? 

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,753
Registered: ‎06-07-2010

You are not alone.  We get them throughout the day and night also. We block them but they just call back from different numbers.  We just keep blocking them. Maybe the reason for the increase is they know people are home more due to covid and are more vulnerable? Just guessing.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,374
Registered: ‎03-12-2010
I wish I was only getting voicemail spam that I can easily delete. Currently, I’m getting an uptick on text spam…and the original text is sent to multiple phone numbers along with mine. The last one received was actually a link to pornography (or I assume it was based on the description.) I honestly don’t know if it works that same way with texting, but I end up blocking the original number and all of the numbers on the thread because there is always someone who will respond back!
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,818
Registered: ‎06-21-2015

I found the they come in stages. The best thing to do is don't answer them.  They'll slow down and stop.  Also I turned down the volume and the only phone that rings is down stairs so I never hear anything. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,160
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

The other day, I received 15 calls spoofing the phone number using my same exchange. The calls were coming in at approximately 5 minute intervals.  Blocking wasn't working because the last 4 digits kept changing. I didn't answer any of them, but mostly blocked them anyway.  If I let one to through to the answering machine, the recorded message was the same....something about all my Apple devices and then included a couple of options.  Finally, I decided to "busy out" my phone for awhile to see what   would happen.  It seems to have worked.  We apparently don't have Nomorobo in my Verizon area, so this is what I'll do if it happens again.  Very annoying, to say the least.

Valued Contributor
Posts: 975
Registered: ‎07-26-2019

Spam phone calls seem to come in cycles. I don't know the reason for the ebb and flow. They were quiet for a while but definitely have peaked the past week. Blocking the calls does not work, because a number is never used more than once. This is why I never answer numbers I'm not familiar with or a call I'm not expecting. The same is true for spam emails. Most go to my junk email folder. I had next to none and now I'm getting 30-50 per day. Delete...Delete...

Valued Contributor
Posts: 512
Registered: ‎07-09-2014

I just had my landline taken out !  Phone would ring at least 2 times an hour , always some scammers !  My husband said " why are we paying to let scammers into our home by fake phone names? " We have cameras outside , lock our doors , to keep unwanted people out , but then give them free access to our lives by the phones , that we pay for monthly !  It's so peaceful here now , every thing necessary is channeled through my cell phone , and I keep the do not disturb button on, so it will only ring if the caller is on my contact list !  Works slick ! 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,295
Registered: ‎03-27-2010

Re: Voicemail spam

[ Edited ]

 

Best strategies:

 

1.  Don't answer phones...even picking up the phone and hanging up indicates a "live line" and your number can be sold to scam lists as a result. The crank/robo calls will continue and increase if your number is identified as a live line. 

 

2.  Land Line - turn voice mail and ringer off.. If your doctor's office calls, it will say so on the phone and you can return the call. Block every number that calls and you don't recognize.  This will pay off, every day I see numbers that were previously blocked trying to call again.  Yes, some will change their numbers but many don't.

 

3.  Cell phones - enable only contact list members to have access to you..

 

Enjoy your peace and protect your privacy!

 

 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,506
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

I get annoying calls and texts throughout the day/night. I can silence the calls but how do I block the texts? 

 

If you have an iphone go into your settings and phone and flip the button that says silence unknown calls - this stops the ones that are not in your contact list. Your phone won't ring, but the number shows up so you can block.

Super Contributor
Posts: 371
Registered: ‎01-31-2016

Re: Voicemail spam

[ Edited ]

@Xivambala wrote:

Spam phone calls seem to come in cycles. I don't know the reason for the ebb and flow. They were quiet for a while but definitely have peaked the past week. Blocking the calls does not work, because a number is never used more than once. This is why I never answer numbers I'm not familiar with or a call I'm not expecting. The same is true for spam emails. Most go to my junk email folder. I had next to none and now I'm getting 30-50 per day. Delete...Delete...


I agree with the email spam. Seems like a year or less ago I rarely get those, now over 90% of my email is spam. I never changed my provider or email address so who knows what the cause is.