Don’t answer your phone if you don’t recognize the number
Legitimate callers will leave a message
Don’t say yes to anything asked by a stranger
Any suspicious call, hang up immediately
Blocking the number doesn’t usually help, the caller I’d is generally spoofed
But if it makes you feel good, go ahead
I’ll add this tip. It works surprisingly quickly to kill robocalls.
1. Record the audio from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI_wyiY4vyk Do it any way you want, quality is not important. All you need are the three tones. Snip off her human voice.
2. Start a new message on your answer machine with the tones. Then record your own greeting.
3. Let unknowns go to the machine as normal. Robos never leave a message.
WHY IT WORKS: Those tones identify your line as being no longer in service. Machines listen for them, humans listen to the voice, which you deleted and replaced. I did it a week ago and there have been no robocalls after a few days. I hope it works as well during political season.
I set my phone to “Do not disturb mode”. If you are not in my directory, my phone doesn’t ring.
Blocking the number doesn’t usually help, the caller I’d is generally spoofed
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Call blockers like the Digitone work off the CID that shows on your phone, so even if it’s ‘spoofed’, the call will still be blocked. We have a Digitone & it’s a lifesaver for my elderly folks. It really pi$$es me off when I see scam calls; however, it is highly satisfying to see “blocked” blinking after the number on the CID. Link: https://digitone.com/
Latest scam is to spoof names - we’re getting calls that appear to be from legit businesses in the area, but when I look up the numbers, not even close. These calls are blocked by name or whole number or exchange, depending on what I think will be the most effective.
Using 11 in front of the area code - for example: 11202-xxx-xxx trying to get around the blocker - Digitone still blocks.
Using non-existant exchanges with a valid area code. Unfortunately for these bozos (& fortunately for us), their calls show up as ‘Unavailabl” .... blocked by name so they’re not getting through. Every call I have looked up with this name has been a non-valid exchange. At some point, they’ll figure out they need to use a different name for the CID, but until they do, they’re BLOCKED .... heh, heh.
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Some info from Digitone (I LOVE this call blocker - $69.95 & free shipping):
Block all unwanted calls with Digitone’s ProSeries Call Blocker model. The ProSeries Blocker can block calls from Cell Phones, Faxes & Telemarketing Numbers 800, 855, 866, 877, 888 and Exchanges like 555 and 000 not blocked by the National Do Not Call registry or your Telephone Service Provider. Works with your Caller ID Service to Automatically Eliminate All Unwanted Callers! Block calls originating from any country or area code.
Blocks Any Number From Anywhere!
Block Whole Area Codes or Individual Numbers. Guaranteed To Block Cell Phones, Pay Phones, Calling Cards, Unknown, Anonymous, Unavailable and Out of Area Callers. Works in Mexico, Canada, and with All U.S. Phone Companies with standardized phone lines, FIOS, DSL, Cable modems or VoIP Phone Adapters from Vonage, Magic Jack, Skype, Ooma & Cell Phone Wireless Gateways.
Don’t say yes to anything asked by a stranger
One reason never to say yes to a stranger on the phone is their ability to record your “Yes,” cut and paste it into any recording they choose, and sign you up for stuff you may not be able to unsign from.