We have phone service through the cable company - I’ve noticed for quite a while now, when a number shows up, it often has “Scam?” before the number.
The cable company aside, we use a “Smart Call Blocker” system phone. A lightning strike knocked out our phones and we had to get new ones - bought some wireless phones from AT & T that came with “Smart Call Blocker”. Since most calls are computer dialed, they cannot respond when the SCB instructs them to press the # sign if they are an invited family, friend or business. The phone does NOT ring until the # sign is used. Very occasionally, a real (scam) person will be on the line & will use the # sign ... I would say, at most, we maybe get 6 of those a year, if that, & they go to the answering machine when we don’t recognize the number.
If we are leaving a message for someone to call us back (like a doctor’s office), I will tell them that if they get the SCB, just press # to get through and they don’t have any trouble reaching us.
If a number is in your address book or on an “allowed” list, it rings right through, no # needed. We can also block up to 1,000 numbers - have rarely used it since scammers change numbers constantly.
This is a VERY effective system - we are not bothered by scam calls.
Thanks for the tip!
The link below has AT&T cordless home phones with the “Smart Call Blocker” feature, starting at $43.95 (Amazon) or $59.95 (direct from AT&T):
https://telephones.att.com/telephones/cordless-telephones/smart-call-blocker
One of these would make a great gift for anyone dealing with spam calls.