Choose Your Weapon in the Robocall Wars - Comments Page 1

The latest land line call I keep getting is that there has been legal action taken against my Social security number. I never answer but they leave a message and a callback number which I have to call before they come and arrest me.

On the cell I usually get credit call, vacation, or medical devices calls.

It is a nasty world out there.

My method is simple and convenient; if I don't immediately recognize the caller or number, I don't answer. That's what voicemail is for. If they don't leave a message, then I didn't want to talk to them anyway.

I think the comment is correct..
It is like trying to drain the ocean with a teaspoon. New technology [blocking] will create,.. New technology. Schmucks trying to make an easy buck, will never die!

And if the number and info magically appear on your TV, you don't even have to interrupt your binge watching.

I use two services on my iPhone, Malwarebytes call blocking and NameID (offered through T-Mobile, my carrier), they are extremely good at catching these. I don't get more than one a week through to my phone anymore, if that.

And I do follow Ken's process too, if I don't recognize the number and am not expecting a call from anyone, I don't answer, they don't leave voice mails. Then I add them to my block list - which is unlimited in size. Though that part is overkill really as they almost never come from the same number.

I don't understand how this "business" makes money, even in bulk calls. I have never stayed at any resort, I am not traveling, my healthcare is set. I'd never order anything or put out financial numbers to an unsolicited caller, I don't know why anyone would. So how do they stay in business?

Call blocking showed up on my Samsung G S7 about 6 mo. ago after a sw upgrade

Just getting you to call back is sometimes the scam. The call may be to a number outside the US, and there are per minute charges. If this happens to you, call your phone service to try to get the charge taken off. A friend got billed over $250 for the call, but the phone company did remove it, but what a hassle!

I just started using RoboKiller. My favorite feature is the Answer Bots- very funny pre-recorded snippets that play when a robocall comes in. Some are absolutely hysterical. It is a paid service, just to be up front. It's been working well for me.

I don't understand why the regulating agencies can't track down the business using these spam robocall services. Can't they "answer" the call (I'm sure they get them also), act as in interested customer and get the information about the company trying to sell them something.
"Yes, I am interested in extending my car warranty! What is the name of your company? What are you offering? Who can I contact to get this? Can you mail/ email me the details on this? Thanks. I contact the FCC with this information and claim my share of the whistleblower fine.

The difficulty I've had with the "if not in contacts don't answer" approach is medical providers. Too often in my case the caller ID that shows up is not the same number that people calling in use. This sets up a phone tag situation and delays.

my phone rings in the middle of the night..i answer cause it could be important..and the caller says this is officer Cindy Taylor-- we have a warrant posted against you..or whatever...call us back at number...ironic! the number is distorted...so i cant copy it...………

calling at 4am is exceptionally cruel..
and this is a frequent caller! not much i can do... is there?

Ken

Here's the only tool that works: only answer the phone if you recognize the number (and if you feel like talking to that person). The unfamiliar numbers are practically guaranteed to be garbage and won't leave a message. On the rare occasion that an unfamiliar number leaves a message, pick it up midstream. Couldn't be any more effective than this.

I do not answer the phone anymore. I just let it go to voicemail or my answering machine. I only return calls I recognize. With election season coming up it will only get worse.

I have a Texas prefix on my iPhone that I got years ago. I have since moved to another State, so now I know that a call from Texas is a robe all.
Also don’t answer if the name is not in my address book.

If there is no name (usually) or an unknown number I don't answer. If its important enough the caller will leave a message. Then if I am interested in following up I can call my voicemail on my cell or play back the message on my landline. This eliminates the problem of calling a spoofed foreign number. I don't know of a practical solution to Paul S's problem, I have that issue also. I so far don't have Ken McInnes's problem but that would be a real problem because you would think that only family or emergency personnel would call in the middle of the night and you probably would want to answer in that case. Yes I still have a landline because I like having the internet available for my computer without paying exorbitant unlimited data rates with my cell phone.

If your phone company (other than cell) subscribes to it, ask them to apply NoMoRoBo to your number. It is free and many carriers (other than ATT who sells most of the robo lines) will allow it. The phone rings once and goes dead. It's not without issues. Callers like Apple and medical providers, like Aetna Pharmacy, who use robo lines can't get through. I give them my cell number or ask that they use email.

I have a landline that was part of my triple-play from Comcast. Comcast had SPAM call blocking, but you would still hear the first ring. When I cut the cord with Comcast (reduced to internet only), I had to find a solution for the landline. I chose MagicJack, which is only $35/year. MJ has an optional feature for call blocking. The caller is prompted to enter a random number, and if they do, the call will ring at my home. Robocalls cannot respond to the "press this number" request. Our phone now only rings once or twice a week, which are legitimate calls from real people. I highly recommend it! The landline problem has virtually been solved for us!

I pay for my phone to use for my needs. It’s my bill and yet I am being held hostage by these robo and solicitation calls. It’s wrong I pay for my convenience and yet have to use caller ID to decide if I can use my own phone!

Until two years ago, I was super annoyed by robocalls to my cellphone. Then, I downloaded an app. from the Google Play Store called "Should I answer?" It has been the best app. I have ever had. It blocks all calls that are not in my contact list.

I hardly ever hear it ring, unless of coarse it's in my contacts. Those annoying calls go to voice mail and after that, I can decide what to do, either delete them or call back if it's an important call. I just tweaked a little bit with the app. settings, and that's all.

I also tell people that need to get in touch with me, to give me their number and I write them in my contacts so I can receive the calls. That's it!!!! End of story. Maybe we all should try it. That little green Octopus is a blessing. As for the robocall problem, I don't think it will go away any time soon...

We have an answering machine with caller ID. We let it ring and wait to see if a message is left. A real person will leave a message. And if it is a robo call selling something or phishing, we simply delete the message. If you answer and tell them off, it only tells the caller that you will answer, and your number is put on another list. Let it go to voicemail and stop running every time the phone rings. What did we do when we had only one phone in the house and our number was one on a ten-party line? New is not always better.