Posted on 03/05/2025 5:44:39 PM PST by Dad was my hero
Over the last 2 and 1/2 weeks I've been getting about 3 spam calls per day. The numbers all show as local and they aren't the same so blocking one doesn't help. They all begin the same way, someone says "hello" and if I answer they start their spiel (a recorded spiel) about having sent me mail about medicare. If I hang up then the next one will be sometime in the next couple hours. If I don't answer it goes to VM and they don't leave a VM, still doesn't matter as I can expect another either that day or the next. Often I make the connection but don't say anything and eventually they disconnect. Still makes no difference. Some numbers not in my directory are from my wife's hospice provider so I am never sure if the call is from one of them. However if it is one of them they leave me a VM.
I haven't tried this yet but am considering, I have a compressed air boat horn in my garage and am considering going to the garage for the next one, making the connection then blasting it. Of course if it is one of her hospice providers It'll likely scare the hell out of them.
I looked at Robo Killer in the app store but it's $10/month. If it was $2/month I might spring for it but $120/yr seems excessive. But I am considering it as I'm becoming desperate (and pissed).
I'd like to hear from other freepers about what if anything they do or recommend. Thanks.
I don’t answer any number not in my contacts. They can leave me a voicemail.
I get at least a dozen per day. More actually. It’s so bad I don’t t even keep my ringer on. Just set to vibrate. I mute the calls which lets it ring out 4-5 times and then sends them to VM. A lot of hangups. Always a different number. Some callers use the same script on VM, they want to lend me money… and a few want me to consolidate old debts. Maybe it’s the same person lol. The carriers and the phone developers could do a better job figuring this out. They should have a “suspected spam” feature to dump those calls. They should also have a whitelist so if we get a call from a legit person or business it goes through. Anyway if it doesn’t have ID I mute them and let it go to VM. But blocking them is useless they use a different number each time.
I am halfway tempted to reject all calls that are not in my contacts. I’m not sure of that will allow the few honest ones to leave a message so I could save them for future whitelist.
A few times a week I get a text that says Hello or Hi. Those I delete and report as spam.
Tony’s wood fired pizza! May I get a name & number for your order.
Memorial Gardens Cemetery! Grounds keeper. May I help you?
Odd, unsolicited phone calls have dropped off dramatically.
the problem is that I don’t believe there is a person anywhere in the process, even the initial “hello” at the beginning. Today as soon as I heard that hello, I asked them why they keep calling me when I keep hanging up but the automated spiel had already started. I don’t think there is a real person involved in the process. But I do like that idea.
Here is what I do.
Don’t answer and then use “spy dialer” to try and identify the caller.
If its legit, spy dialer will identify the business or person.
If not identified, block.
Eventually the calls stop.
“[insert your city or town name here] police department, you’re on a recorded line.”
They always hang up.
-SB
that gives my boat horn idea some support, just have to do it in my garage as I don’t want to scare the $hit out of the mrs.
I’ll have to listen longer, but they do have a section that is looking for an answer from me about whether I have MCR parts A and B, by then I usually disconnect.
Maybe I should just say no and see what happens. But the boat horn is looking more credible based on the responses here so far.
I normally just ignore any numbers I don’t recognize. A chink family kept calling and wouldn’t stop. So I answered. The boy started talking. I asked him who he called here to speak to? It threw him off balance. I kept asking him who he wanted to speak to. He hung up and I haven’t heard from him since.
I introduce myself as Inspector Harry Callahan, from the San Francisco police department.....
As I noted I have left many go to VM and they never leave a message but that hasn’t dissuaded the calling frequency.
I generally only answer calls from people in my phone book. But every now and again I answer an unknown caller and say: “OK, it’s done, but there’s blood everywhere!”
set you device to Do Not Disturb, and add your loved ones as VIPs so they’ll get through.
Four million isn’t worth the trouble, as far as I’m concerned. In fact, I’m thinking of raising my asking price for the Arizona house to twelve or so, since we just had the place painted. I’d still let the NC house go for ten.
I don’t think there is a real person on the other end, something like that usually works if there is a real person.
They don’t ask for anyone, just say hello and begin their recorded spiel. I don’t think there is a person anywhere in the process.
“You’re name is Steve?!” — a question I’ve actually asked one guy with a thick Indian accent
If you have the time, this might be enjoyable.
Screw with them. I usually tell them I have the Titanium Medicare card or start questioning them if they are from the federal government. The government question gets them going. They will tell you they are the Medicare provider so I explain to them the government is the Medicare provider which really gets them going. I figure if I tie them up for 10 to 15 minutes I have saved some 10 to 15 people from getting the call.
I’ll have to see if that option is on my phone. and then think about it as there are numbers not in my contact list that I do want.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.