I am dealing with this now. I made the mistake of answering a call from an area code where I know several people thinking they were trying to reach me from another phone, and of course no one was there. So then I assume I was entered on a list of viable phone numbers and sold around, and now every day I receive between 5 and 7 robocalls. They are all from different area codes, or unknown, or no caller ID so it makes it really hard to block them. I don't answer but it's still really annoying.

my telephone(land line) has the "save" option,which I do,then once the number is saved,it can be blocked

I hope that the people who engage these callers in any kind of conversation begin to get smarter about it.

There is one I saw the other day, and it was a woman who wants to make an appointment, but sends someone to your area. One guy said, sure, send him along! And made them wait in the lobby all day. When he was irate about his wasted time, the guy said, you've done no less with my time. And suggested everyone do that when they call you. Real? I dunno, but I like it!

I just re-did the do not call. Thanks for the link.

There is a link to block these calls, but do not know what it is. I think it was discussed several months ago. I still thing one of the cutest ideas is to let your 4 year old have a conversation with the person (just kidding), but someone did that.

With caller ID, if I don't recognize the name or number I don't answer. I also did Do Not Call awhile ago. I don't get nearly as many calls as I used to. I've wondered if it would help to answer and immediately hang up....would "they" think they've already spoken to you and take you off their list?

Once I was somewhat irate with a male caller, saying, "Whadda ya want???" In a haughty voice he replied, "I will not be spoken down to!" And hung up on me. I laughed on and off all day about it. I must have insulted him. Maybe it his first day on the job.

Those "tips" aren't very good ones. Once you talk to them, you're on their list and those lists get sold so no, once you talk to them not only do they NOT take you off their calling list, but you can expect more and more.

I know this is a sensitive subject with a few around here since they have friends and relatives who do these scams. I however think that anyone who harasses people for money are some of the lowest of the low. For a while I had fun with them. I'd call them every name and insult I could come up with. I was proud of a few of them. I took the phone to the bathroom, let them share while I passed gas and deposited a few, uh, shall we say tele-terrorists in "the pool". Let them listen close up to the flush too. A little forced grunting is a bonus for them. Generally more effective with thin-skinned women since men usually will hang up and move on but you catch a few either way. If you tell them you're interested and to hold on you can see how long you can keep them waiting while you do other things. Occasionally come back as if they're still there and do it again. The longer you tie them up, the less money they'll make and the fewer people they can harass. Ask the same question over and over. Repeat things. Keep saying "WHAT??" often so they think you can't hear and make them repeat and yell. Talk farther away from the receiver so THEY can't hear and they'll turn the headset volume up higher and higher and then a whistle or airhorn in their ear is extra effective. Probably NOT a good idea to let the real young talk to them since they might give out personal info. Some of these scam artists are persuasive at getting info.

I don't have the time to play with the tele-terrorists much anymore so I just block them. I've even started blocking some area codes and exchanges. That's been very effective. Gives them a SIT and usually 2-3 calls pulls the number at least until the list gets sold but I do believe that the number is being pulled often. So many things to do, get creative. Get on the offense. Take back your telephone and your personal time.

I have had several weeks now of peace and quiet from these scammers. I dont need the phone, and never use it, but, am required to keep it for my DSL. I only use my cell, and have yet to get any type of call like that on it. Anyway, I finally unhooked the phones, and put them all away in a drawer. Drastic, I know, but, it was constantly ringing, and no one, I know, calls me on that phone number, and I had finally had enough.

Before caller ID, before the No Call registry I would put the phone down and walk away. It used to be as long as you left your phone off the hook, they could not end the call. It was very satisfying to tie them up for an hour or so! Twice in the last year we have ended up on the receiving end of robo calls that come at 20 minute intervals all day and all night. I was instructed to call and report the number. I also found the WEB site to report these numbers. Caller ID is very helpful.

I had one of those calls the other day and when he couldn't pronounce his own name lol plainly for me to understand and told me my computer had a problem I told him I DO NOT HAVE A COMPUTER AND HUNG UP. Just hang up the phone if you answer it. If several phones ring at the same time I never answer.

I just hang up. A few minutes later, I check to make sure I have a dial tone.

One clue always was if you say hello and there is a pause you know someone is making many calls and just waiting for one of them to get answered. I use this moment to hang up before I even hear their voice.

Chi83, we get 5-7 of these calls a day also. I know you live in So Cal also, we have put ourselves on a no call list and it still happens. My DH was told that the list is only good for the state you live in? So these calls are coming from out of state? Not really most we get are people trying to sell solar energy items or home improvement. They say they have someone in the area and can come by that day. Our name is also in the phone book grrr. I just screen all calls, my kids and BFF know to identify themselves and I will answer it. My DH also like to answer and mess with them, I hate it!!!

ilovewine, I get the calls from all over. Really annoying, right? New York, Texas, North Carolina, Florida, Chicago... and now they are trying Unknown a lot. I don't answer any of them unless they are Orange County local as that's often my vet or doctor or someone else I want to talk to. Others can leave a VM if it's legit.

My problem is that sometimes someone I know will appear as "unknown" and I often have to say "hello" twice before most people can hear me; our phone is through our computer. As soon as I hear a robocall or live solicitor I hang up, but the damage is done.

The National "Do Not Call" Registry is managed by the Federal Trade Commission. it is NOT state-only.

Dealing with hospitals and clinics so much lately that it gets annoying when some of these places don't have a clear caller ID. I'm sure it's because of a poorly programmed PBX but annoying nonetheless. I let it go to the answering machine if I don't know the number and if it's a legitimate call, I update the CID program so it shows who is really calling me. That is really helpful.

Sign up for nomorerobo........it's free, it's sort of like the Do not Call Registry, but for these automated calls. Your phone will ring once, then it gets 'caught', and it stops it from going through. It doesn't work on a 100% of calls, because there are some grey areas that these companies can work under, like if they are considered a charity. But it sure cuts them down.

When I get a robocall, usually it's a dead line for 10 or 12 seconds, then a slight click and then the busy signal. All of the warm bodies are busy talking to other potential suckers, I guess. Haven't yet had one where there was a dead line for a while, then someone answers.
I won't pay the phone co. (of which I'm a shareholder) the monthly fee necessary to get caller ID, blocking capability, etc. But I don't get those calls that often.
Got the guy yesterday who was telling me there was some nasty stuff in my computer, low volume so hard to hear for some time, then I told him that, while I have a computer, I haven't had an internet connection for a couple of years or so ...
... does he look into the mirror from time to time - and isn't he ashamed to take pay for being such a liar?
o j

Landline is on a machine. I screen all incoming calls. Mostly it is kept on mute. I check it at my convenience. Anyone with an emergency would be on my contact list in my cell. I only answer my cell to known numbers/contacts. That's what voice mail is for. I don't understand people who refuse to simply not answer their phone. The phone is a convenience, I'm not a slave to it.

Agreed, watchmelol. Just don't answer the phone if caller-ID isn't unknown or not recognized.

I'm with you Lisa. We're not talking about people obviously scamming you for money, or even those repetitive duct-cleaning companies who call from overseas. I've never gotten those calls saying that your computer is broken, etc.

I HAVE done these types of calls, doing polls, market research, voter id, etc, etc. I HAVE also been told numerous times that "they don't often do these types of calls but because I sounded so nice they did it", "that they enjoyed the time with me" etc etc. By making it as enjoyable for them as I can, I'm not treating them like crap, a human being.

Often these calls are a way of getting the public's opinion........if a casino is wanted in their area, a new pipeline, a new mayor, keeping or re-routing a deteriorating highway overpass, etc etc.

These people are calling from a script (it's obvious when you ask them to clarify and all they do is repeat the question), and calling from a computer, where your answers are recorded by clicking the appropriate answer.

Hanging up isn't accomplishing anything, they just click the "call-back" button, and you WILL get called back. The same as putting the phone down and walking away. That doesn't upset the caller at all, they just click Call-back and move on.

Being a jerk doesn't accomplish anything either, they'll call you back, just because they can, and laugh while doing it. They get paid no matter who they call, so if you treat them like low-life imbeciles, guess what, you'll get called again.

A simple very effective thing is just to say that you're not interested. Or ask to be put on their DNC list. Either one, they cannot call you again.

I often wished I'd get calls, just to see how people treat me when I get called. It's been a few years and the last one I got, I asked him a question which kind of threw him off and we laughed. At the end I got $10 off a purchase through Amazon.