Electronics

[NYC Susan]

On 10/11/2014 jackthebear said:

OP

Let calls from numbers you don't know go to voice mail or do not answer them,

Rinse and repeat

do not engage with these callers

Exactly. Once you answer, they know they've reached a working number. Then it's much harder to get rid of them.

[glb613]

On 10/11/2014 jackthebear said:

OP

Let calls from numbers you don't know go to voice mail or do not answer them,

Rinse and repeat

do not engage with these callers

I haven't had a single call after the one where I talked to the "person from Microsoft". I wish I could say that about the political calls and "my last chance to reduce my credit card interest rate". One time I stayed on the line and ask the gal just when will it be my last chance and she hung up. LOL!

I received these calls long before I got the one from Microsoft. They are robo calls and call whether you answer the phone or not.

[NYC Susan]

On 10/30/2014 glb613 said:

On 10/11/2014 jackthebear said:

OP

Let calls from numbers you don't know go to voice mail or do not answer them,

Rinse and repeat

do not engage with these callers

I haven't had a single call after the one where I talked to the "person from Microsoft". I wish I could say that about the political calls and "my last chance to reduce my credit card interest rate". One time I stayed on the line and ask the gal just when will it be my last chance and she hung up. LOL!

I received these calls long before I got the one from Microsoft. They are robo calls and call whether you answer the phone or not.

I don't know about calls from Microsoft - I never got one of those.

But I absolutely saw a reduction in unwanted calls when I started screening them out. And I've been told by people in law enforcement & also in the telemarketing business that it's always best not to respond at all. Whether it's a telemarketer or a robo call, once you pick up the phone, they know they have called an active phone number and reached a live person. Even robo calls can tell if they've reached an actual person or if they've reached a voicemail. It's all monitored at the other end, and has to do with how many seconds they hear a voice (or what sounds to them like a voice). A phone number that repeatedly does not get an actual person to respond will eventually be dropped. They want actual people, not voicemails. That's why lots of us see numbers we don't recognize on Caller ID and no message has been left. Robo calls usually disconnect if they detect voicemail rather than an actual person, because it becomes a dead-end for them if there's no one for them to have a conversation with.

It's not a deterrent in all cases, of course, and the problem doesn't go away immediately, but I have found it to be very effective. And stress-free, since I don't have the time nor the inclination to answer the phone & play mind games with whoever or whatever is on the other end.

I rarely get these kinds of calls anymore, and I completely attribute it to the fact that I don't answer the phone if I don't recognize the number. I can't remember the last time it even was an issue - That's how effective it's been.

[gym lady]

Getting those calls everyday on my cell. The calls are from Florida. I only picked it up once never again!!!!!

[IamMrsG]

On 10/10/2014 Ladybug724 said:

These people are complete idiots. First of all like I really believe your name is Kevin or Jerry. So sick of these calls. I wish there was a way to report them.

http://www.fcc.gov/complaints

[starbrightstarlight123]

I received this call and right away I knew it was a scam so I told the guy on the other end , I don't have a computer well he was shocked , he said you don't and I said yes so I haven't received that call again I received this call several times the first time I just hung up, but the second time I thought I would scam them.

[dooBdoo]

On 10/30/2014 Bluegrassbaby said:

On 10/10/2014 dooBdoo said:

Hi, <em>LizAnne</em>! Yes, it's been around a long time. Sometimes the Caller ID indicates it's Microsoft, or MSN, or even Apple. It's important for people to be aware these companies don't make calls to us, and it's really better with all calls to let them go to voicemail if we don't recognize the Caller ID or if it's a business that normally wouldn't be calling.

They use robocalling, so a computer merely scrolls through random phone numbers hoping for a "hit." Answering them tells them your number is a "live" number.

That results in your number going on a list and being re-used, shared, and sometimes even sold to other criminals. So, answering is a guarantee you'll get more calls in the future.

Kudos to you for a reminder to all about this particular scam and also a reminder to all to ignore, ignore, ignore calls from unknown or suspicious callers.

(edited for spelling error)

Great advise dooBdoo

Thanks, Blue!

[curlywhitedog]

Engaging these people, while it may be fun for some, never comes to any good. Once you answer and they confirm a working number they will not only continue to call but they will also sell your number as a live hit.

I never, ever, ever answer if I don't know the phone number. I go directly to my call blocker, I don't pass GO and I don't collect $200...lol. I just push that big red button and that's the end of that. I will, however, Google that number, on the off chance that it was a legitimate call that I blocked, but that has only happened one time and I went right back and unblocked it.

Love the satisfaction that I get when I know I'm rid of those thieving pieces of garbage forever.

Maria

[chickadee]

Just tell them "wow, that's really interesting since I don't own a computer!"