[OrangeHoof]

IIRC, the national Do Not Call registry is not forever and you have to renew it like every 3-5 years. First thing is to re-register (even if they aren’t expired) then politely but firmly tell each caller that they are violating the Do Not Call registry act and you will report them if you are called again. If a phone number displays on your Caller ID, tell them you are making note of the number displayed. DO NOT EVER call them back or you will give them the excuse that you invited their contact.

If you are low tech, a last resort is to buy one of those old answering machines (not voice mail) that plays the call as they leave the message and screen for calls you may want to answer. Don’t know who sells them but they were big sellers about 20-30 years ago.

[Dr. Sivana]

Don’t know who sells them but they were big sellers about 20-30 years ago.

It is ironic, but my last one was a GE, who still makes them. AT&T still sells them. We use it as I don't want the phone company recording my calls.

[Mamzelle]

I have caller ID, and use it. It also presents on my TV screen when the screen is on. I also have voicemail and these people use it!! One time after I had been away I had a dozen calls with an Indian sing-song "Hello? Hello?" on voicemail and they have my name, not just my number.

I haven't called any numbers back, though I've been tempted. Thanks for that advice, I didn't know it would make the harassment worse.

[Roccus]

http://www.uniden.com/telephones/icat/phones_b2c/?setpagenum=

[Vinnie]

IIRC, the national Do Not Call registry is not forever and you have to renew it like every 3-5 years.

I think it's 2 yrs. But..
I didn't really many scam calls until I renewed my 'do not call' list about 6 mos. ago.

We get these calls wanting to reduce our C card interest. And no matter how many times I say "no", threaten to report them I still get them.
Reporting the phone number is worthless as they spoof the numbers, you get a different number each time. I kept track of 8 different numbers in 2 days time. They were from all different area codes. All w/ the same message. Apparently these scam artists buy blocks of vacant numbers in all different area codes and avoid any legal action that way.

I would love to be able to block a number by area code. I'd enter specific codes of friends and family and block the rest.

As with spam, don't go after the spammers. Go after whoever is paying them to do it.