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Stop Unwanted Phone Calls...
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Scams & Fraud
Stop Unwanted Phone Calls...
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So we just posted a story on stopping unwanted phone calls. The story talks about some loop holes that telemarketers use to get around the National Do Not Dial registry. It got me wondering, wha
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Cat:827966ee-6d39-4ef7-98a5-0157a43092f8Forum:b90a5c24-5453-42fa-b1f5-851b8a98e4aa
Cat:827966ee-6d39-4ef7-98a5-0157a43092f8Forum:b90a5c24-5453-42fa-b1f5-851b8a98e4aaDiscussion:8310024f-7aeb-497a-af45-9358c0376b08
Forums » Money » Scams & Fraud » Stop Unwanted Phone Calls...
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4-step process to Stop Unwanted Phone Calls...
posted at September 9, 2012 1:14 PM EDT
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Posts: 4
First: September 9, 2012 Last: September 22, 2012 |
1. Use caller ID, and don't answer calls from numbers you don't know, especially numbers starting with 800, 888, 877, 866, etc..., and out-of-area long distance lines. For example, I live near Austin, TX, and I'm familiar with the area codes for San Antonio, Dallas, Houston. However, if I get a call from Las Vegas (702 area code), I don't really know anyone there - so I let it go to voicemail. If real people really need to talk to you, they will leave a voicemail and you can call them right back. 2. If near the computer (I almost always am), look up the number immediately on Google. Usually if it is a telemarketer, someone will have already reported the number on a website like the "800notes" website. 3. If it is a telemarketer, learn how to create a "Name" on your phone system to associate with the number. I call each telemarketer "Spam1", "Spam2", Spam3", etc... Next time they try to call, the Caller ID will announce them as Spam1, or whatever you named them on your phone system. 4. After you've entered about 5 or 6 of these "Spam" numbers on your phone, you will notice that some of them are calling regularly, and you are already reducing the number of calls you have to answer. Find out if your phone system has call-blocking, and block the ones that call most frequently. If you have a Smartphone, there are some good, free call-blocking apps that you can download that will handle a lot of these steps for you very quickly. Remember - it doesn't take much effort to set up your "Spam" list - usually after you've entered the first 5 or 6 numbers, you'll find you were getting most of your calls from a couple of them. Although some telemarketers offer an "opt-out" feature, I usually recommend avoiding these, as many of the telemarketers actually use this as a method of verifying that a live person is answering your phone - and then they sell your number on even more lists, meaning you will be likely to get even more calls. Don't forget to get your phone number onto the national Do Not Call list, and remember that filing a complaint with your state's attorney general is usually a very quick process if you are near a computer. For example, if you were in Texas, a simple Google search for "Texas Telemarketers & Junk Mail" brings you to the Texas Attorney General's website to file a quick complaint on telemarketers AND junk mailers in about 2-3 minutes. Remember - if the scammers DO get you on the phone, DON'T EVER give out personal or banking information. It's your phone - you pay the bill - take it back from the telemarketers! Be Safe!  Andy Prough, CFE Certified Fraud Examiner Kyle, TX |
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Re: Stop Unwanted Phone Calls...
posted at September 17, 2012 9:48 PM EDT
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Posts: 1
First: September 17, 2012 Last: September 17, 2012 |
We have been on the DNC for several years, and have anonymous call blocking (through our Verizon phone service, yet we still get several calls a week from "unknown name", "unknown number". And there is NEVER ANYONE ON THE LINE to tell off. When we don't answer, the phone goes to record and all we hear is a click. I can pick up during the first ring and there is no one there. how can I stop this? We also get a lot of "charity" calls, for example "hi, I'm Joe Blowe from the county fraternal order of police" -- guess what, I'm not donating to "unknown name", "unknown number". It could be Mr blingo from jamaica. |
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Re: Stop Unwanted Phone Calls...
posted at September 22, 2012 8:26 PM EDT
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Posts: 4
First: September 9, 2012 Last: September 22, 2012 |
Hi ArloSmurf - Amazon sells a couple of products that might be able to do what you need - search for the term "telemarketing block" on their website, and you'll see a list of fairly interesting "call blockers" and "telebouncers" you can look at possibly purchasing. However, these devices are fairly expensive, and still will require some input from you. In Response to Re: Stop Unwanted Phone Calls...: We have been on the DNC for several years, and have anonymous call blocking (through our Verizon phone service, yet we still get several calls a week from "unknown name", "unknown number". And there is NEVER ANYONE ON THE LINE to tell off. When we don't answer, the phone goes to record and all we hear is a click. I can pick up during the first ring and there is no one there. how can I stop this? We also get a lot of "charity" calls, for example "hi, I'm Joe Blowe from the county fraternal order of police" -- guess what, I'm not donating to "unknown name", "unknown number". It could be Mr blingo from jamaica. Posted by ArloSmurf |
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Re: Stop Unwanted Phone Calls...
posted at September 26, 2012 8:10 AM EDT
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Posts: 1
First: September 26, 2012 Last: September 26, 2012 |
Hello--just to show all that the DoNotCall system does not work--I have recorded all calls and numbers, time of day, etc. since July 17th of this year. I did register with the DoNotCall site when they first started it. I have received 80 calls from "Unknown Number, Winner, Washington, AdPlus, Voter Research, Promotion, Card Services, Answer, Lower Interest, Oregon," and the "Unknown Name, Unknown Caller", long serial numbers usually starting with a V, and the always-popular "Anonymous". There are others I can't remember--but one gets the idea. These are coming in on my landline only. I thought this site--the DoNotCall-- was gov't originated, but now I wonder--because I have never had so many calls as I have had these last few weeks, pre-election period or not. I am not a spring chicken, and wonder how the folks with arthritis, etc, deal with this. As it is I have no trouble going out to my kitchen to see who is calling, but many people my age are not able to do that. I DO wish something effective could be accomplished re this problem!
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Re: Stop Unwanted Phone Calls...
posted at October 13, 2012 9:33 AM EDT
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Posts: 1
First: October 13, 2012 Last: October 13, 2012 |
My most annoying call is from "Unavailable." That's all the caller ID says. There is no number listed. They call every day between 8:42 and 8:52 in the morning, seven days a week. I usually let the answering machine pick up but there is never a message. Sometimes I pick up and then hang up right away, just to stop the ringing. There is no way I can report this to the DNC because there is no number to report. I'm at a loss as to how to stop it. |
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Re: Stop Unwanted Phone Calls...
posted at November 3, 2012 3:36 PM EDT
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Posts: 3
First: December 19, 2011 Last: November 3, 2012 |
Rachel, Rachel, Rachel!! I am so sick of hearing from "Rachel" at Card Member Services!?!? I read that this outfit constantly changes their calling numbers so that the FCC cannot track them. I know that the FCC has collected millions of dollars in fines re: violations of the Do Not Call List. OK. With all the modern technological devices available to our federal government, I find it hard to believe that the FCC is unable to track and shut down this violation of their rules. |
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Re: Stop Unwanted Phone Calls...
posted at November 3, 2012 3:53 PM EDT
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Posts: 3
First: December 19, 2011 Last: November 3, 2012 |
In Response to Re: Stop Unwanted Phone Calls...: I don't think that they are doing a wrong job because telemarketers make us aware about different products and their cost in the market. [url= http://www.linkedin.com/pub/akshat-sethi/3/904/b95]Akshat Sethi[/url] Posted by akshatsethi Are you kidding!!?? Getting up from the dinner table to check the caller ID that display that this is a telemarketing call are beyond annoying. At age 75, have not yet found any of these calls to be to my benifit! Card Services!?!?!? |
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Re: Call from United States Prescription
posted at December 4, 2012 10:58 AM EST
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Posts: 1
First: December 4, 2012 Last: December 4, 2012 |
At 7 am this morning I got a call from a local area code. When I answered they hung up. Using caller ID I called back and got a message from the United States Prescription card department. All their lines were busy so leave your name, address and phone number blah, blah blah. After Googling their name it seems they call all over the US using local area codes. I guess they get around the no call issue by hanging up and letting some poor soul leave their info on the company answering machine so then they have the right to call you. |
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Re: 4-step process to Stop Unwanted Phone Calls...
posted at December 4, 2012 11:15 AM EST
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Posts: 934
First: September 16, 2011 Last: May 17, 2013 |
In Response to 4-step process to Stop Unwanted Phone Calls...: 1. Use caller ID, and don't answer calls from numbers you don't know, especially numbers starting with 800, 888, 877, 866, etc..., and out-of-area long distance lines. For example, I live near Austin, TX, and I'm familiar with the area codes for San Antonio, Dallas, Houston. However, if I get a call from Las Vegas (702 area code), I don't really know anyone there - so I let it go to voicemail. If real people really need to talk to you, they will leave a voicemail and you can call them right back. 2. If near the computer (I almost always am), look up the number immediately on Google. Usually if it is a telemarketer, someone will have already reported the number on a website like the "800notes" website. 3. If it is a telemarketer, learn how to create a "Name" on your phone system to associate with the number. I call each telemarketer "Spam1", "Spam2", Spam3", etc... Next time they try to call, the Caller ID will announce them as Spam1, or whatever you named them on your phone system. 4. After you've entered about 5 or 6 of these "Spam" numbers on your phone, you will notice that some of them are calling regularly, and you are already reducing the number of calls you have to answer. Find out if your phone system has call-blocking, and block the ones that call most frequently. If you have a Smartphone, there are some good, free call-blocking apps that you can download that will handle a lot of these steps for you very quickly. Remember - it doesn't take much effort to set up your "Spam" list - usually after you've entered the first 5 or 6 numbers, you'll find you were getting most of your calls from a couple of them. Although some telemarketers offer an "opt-out" feature, I usually recommend avoiding these, as many of the telemarketers actually use this as a method of verifying that a live person is answering your phone - and then they sell your number on even more lists, meaning you will be likely to get even more calls. Don't forget to get your phone number onto the national Do Not Call list, and remember that filing a complaint with your state's attorney general is usually a very quick process if you are near a computer. For example, if you were in Texas, a simple Google search for "Texas Telemarketers & Junk Mail" brings you to the Texas Attorney General's website to file a quick complaint on telemarketers AND junk mailers in about 2-3 minutes. Remember - if the scammers DO get you on the phone, DON'T EVER give out personal or banking information. It's your phone - you pay the bill - take it back from the telemarketers! Be Safe! Andy Prough, CFE Certified Fraud Examiner Kyle, TX Posted by AndyProughCFE That is all great advice! Thank you. But, what do you do when you know it is fraud? Where do you report it? For example, if you receive phone test messages, emails, and moneygrams (snail mail). Do they each go to separate reporting agencies?? |
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Re: Stop Unwanted Phone Calls...
posted at March 4, 2013 12:25 PM EST
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Posts: 1
First: March 4, 2013 Last: March 4, 2013 |
When I get one of these calls I tell them I am having trouble hearing them on my landline. I ask them to call me back on my cell phone, the number I give them is to the local FBI office. |
Forums » Money » Scams & Fraud » Stop Unwanted Phone Calls...
