Jump right in and post!

Thanks, Herman!

I have enjoyed your answers (as well as those of the other regulars) on 800notes.
Read one of your responses indicating you were going to post some tips for use of PhoneTray Free.  I have successfully used that software for quite some time, and would like to learn of any techniques with which I might be unfamiliar.

You probably will not see many of my posts on 800notes ... I am more of a lurker than a poster.  I was very active as a responder on another site, and was extremely disappointed with the number of times I posted the same answers ... again and again, with littie indication the folks with problems were returning to read the answers.

I hope you and the other regulars can keep your frustration index low, and continue to help those who can accept such help!

Thanks Slim!

Yes, I do plan on posting more info on how to use phonetray. Plan on taking a lot of the tips from 800notes and re-posting here with screenshots. Alas, there is only so much time in day.

Glad to see you here. Do you ever post at all on 800notes? Or lurk 100% of the time?

Trolls could get here, but on the private forum it won't happen. Much more info there.

Herman wrote:
Glad to see you here. Do you ever post at all on 800notes? Or lurk 100% of the time?

I post ... but not nearly as many times as do you or the regulars.  My posts so far have mostly been reports of incoming calls.

I did, however, write a "boilerplate" or "universal" answer ... but have not posted it ... methinks there might be too many words for easy assimilation by some of the distraught posters in 800notes.

Hmmm ... I will paste it below ... You will soon see why it might be "too much" for some of the folks with problems, who (apparently) do not know how to find/use a call blocker, or who might think the DNC list actually prevents scammers from calling.




Things that work - or may not work - when you get an unwanted telemarketing call:

1. The Do Not Call list.
Remember that the "Do Not Call" list is merely a list.  It does not prevent scammers from calling you.  In fact, some folks think scammers buy that list, so they can have a list of active phone numbers.  In other words, the DNC list is effective to prevent honest businesses from calling you, but is ineffective at preventing bottom-dwelling telemarketers from calling you!  If sufficient people report an infraction to the DNC people, the government MIGHT fine that offending company.  See https://www.donotcall.gov/ for more information if you are in the USA.

2. Venting your feelings to the caller (yelling, blasting a horn, swearing, threatening, and other evidence of dissatisfaction)
The "caller" may be one of two types:  A robocaller, in which nobody will hear your screams, or a real person who cannot find a better job.  In either case, your number was dialed from a list, and it may continue to be dialed, no matter what you say.  Many of these calls are from overseas, and the calling party may not even understand the words you use.  Perhaps you would get some satisfaction by using this technique, but it may be quite ineffective in stopping scammers.

3.  Asking to be put on their "Do Not Call" list
Read #1 again.  Honest companies will honor the DNC list.  Pond scum will ignore your pleas.

4.  Using a call blocker
There are several call blocking devices to be found on the Internet.  Users of these devices can add numbers to their "black list", so telemarketers using those numbers get "dead air" or a recorded message.  In most cases your phone will ring only once when the blacklisted telemarketer calls, so you will not be disturbed ... much.

    Telemarketers have found workarounds to call blockers.  Some of them "spoof" their phone numbers, so your Caller ID does not show their true phone number.  In this fashion, they can use many phony numbers to call prospective clients, in an attempt to avoid a block on any one number.

5.  Visit http://800notes.com/ (or similar sites).
Such sites are very useful to determine who called you.  If you see an unfamiliar number on your phone's Caller ID, check one of those sites to see who called.  You can then block that number (or any other number) using your call blocker.

6.  Engaging the telemarketer in a long and fruitless discussion.
If you have the time, it might be fun to have a long chat with the telemarketer.  Some folks get quite inventive, and can keep the telemarketer on line (or on hold) for quite some time.  This ploy reduces the number of calls the telemarketer can make, and might save somebody else from getting called that day.

7.  Let unfamiliar numbers ring through to your answering device.
If you do not recognize the number, let your answering device do its thing.  You can then pick up or ignore (or block), depending on who called.

8.  Suggestion: Do NOT call the scammer back!
Some of the scamming callers use numbers that will charge YOU fees when you call those area codes!  Such scammers attempt to keep you on the line for as long as possible, so the charges mount up (See #10, below).  In other cases, your return call merely verifies your phone number is a good one, and you will be added to yet another scammer's phone list.

9.  Avoiding political spam
The DNC list exempts political calls, surveys, and charities.  If such an organization calls you, you could ask to be put on their Do Not Call list.  It might work ... but using a call blocker is probably more effective, particularly in an election year!

10.  Avoiding the "one ring Caribbean" scam
Several sites (including phone provider sites) are posting warnings about this scam.  Apparently, scammers can use Caribbean area codes to call out-of-country, and let the called phone ring only once.  Since nobody answers, the scammer may not be charged for the call.  However, if the called party sees the number on their Caller ID, and attempts to return the call, the called party is billed a surprisingly large fee for the "privilege".  Apparently such calls are charged $1.80 or more, per minute!
    So, beware of calls from area codes in this list:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area_codes_in_the_Caribbean

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Still wondering about telemarking scams? I suggest you take the time to read this, to protect yourself against financial loss or personal embarassment:
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0076-telemarketing-scams

If you want to report a scam attempt, read this:
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#&panel1-1