I'm getting hammered lately by numbers from North Carolina. Answered today after the 6th call since yesterday and it's some health insurance scam. Blocking numbers won't really help much because the number changes every time. Anyone know of a reliable app that can block this crap? 

No, but it definitely sucks. I get 10-15 per week and it's annoying af. 

Just got another one. This one was 2719 (last one was 2718). Fuck these people.

I have no idea what the solution is, unless there's a technology break-thru that allows caller ID to tell the difference.

Actually, I think I get fewer calls now because I started answering the phone and saying "Hello?  Hello?" in a doddering retiree voice.  If I get a live person, I just talk slow and go along, just to see how long I can keep them on.  Five minutes is about all they can take, and then they just hang up on me. 

One time I was talking to some guy in India or Pakistan, and I wailed in a helpless voice, "But the man at the bank told me there would be bad people calling me about getting a new credit card, and that I should get on this Do Not Call thing so nobody will ask me to get a credit card.  Do you know what he was talking about, that registry?"   The guy chuckled and said in a lilt, "Oh, sir, that does not apply to us."    

It's a really annoying problem. We get so many that we just start fucking with them to let off steam. 

Student loans

Health care

The computer

Help the cops

Consolidate your debt

IRS

Car warranty

I got one today who left VM threatening “don’t try to disregard this message!” Lol 

Whenever my parents get spam calls they answer and say "oh yes he/she is here, just a minute" and then they leave the phone and walk away.  Normally after 5-10 minutes they figure it out and never call the number again.  

I get 3-5 calls per day from numbers that look similar to mine. First 6 numbers are always the same. When I answer (rarely ever) there’s no one on the line. 

Makes zero sense 

posted by SportsAndLady

I get 3-5 calls per day from numbers that look similar to mine. First 6 numbers are always the same. When I answer (rarely ever) there’s no one on the line. 

Makes zero sense 

I get these a lot too.

I get a few from similar numbers (at least 740 area code, like my cell). Not daily, but a few times a week. I just go by the philosophy that if I know you, you're either in my directory or you can leave a message and I'll put you in it. And if there's just a number and not a name, I don't bother answering it. And I make my ringtone a song I like, so I don't get overly annoyed at it ringing. It might not stop random numbers from calling me, but my only dealings with them is hearing the chorus of a song I like, so no biggie!

posted by SportsAndLady

I get 3-5 calls per day from numbers that look similar to mine. First 6 numbers are always the same. When I answer (rarely ever) there’s no one on the line. 

Makes zero sense 

Yep, this is a known scam. They spoof a number similar to yours thinking you'll be more likely to answer it.

posted by justincredible

Yep, this is a known scam. They spoof a number similar to yours thinking you'll be more likely to answer it.

They must be playing the long con with him then. If they actually say something after 500 calls of saying nothing he will be forced to listen out of curiosity. 

posted by justincredible

Yep, this is a known scam. They spoof a number similar to yours thinking you'll be more likely to answer it.

But why though? Whenever I do answer, no one is there

posted by SportsAndLady

I get 3-5 calls per day from numbers that look similar to mine. First 6 numbers are always the same. When I answer (rarely ever) there’s no one on the line. 

Makes zero sense 

It’s a newer spoof system in hopes of getting you to answer because it looks like your number. I’ve been getting them too for awhile now. 

posted by wildcats20

It’s a newer spoof system in hopes of getting you to answer because it looks like your number. I’ve been getting them too for awhile now. 

Yeah, but why don't they say anything when you answer?

posted by like_that

Yeah, but why don't they say anything when you answer?

Idk? I don’t answer any number I don’t have saved, unless I’m expecting a call. If they don’t leave a message, I block it. In the long run it probably doesn’t do anything, but it gives me a little piece of mind lol

posted by like_that

Yeah, but why don't they say anything when you answer?

This. I understand it’s spam but what’s the point of calling if when i actually answer there is no one there

posted by SportsAndLady

This. I understand it’s spam but what’s the point of calling if when i actually answer there is no one there

I’ve heard they use this method to determine what is a good number or not. So if someone answers their number gets put on a “good” list. 

posted by SportsAndLady

This. I understand it’s spam but what’s the point of calling if when i actually answer there is no one there

They might not even attempt the scam if the person sounds younger. I’m guessing these scams have a much higher success rate on the elderly. Might think it’s a waste of time. 

posted by Rotinaj

They might not even attempt the scam if the person sounds younger. I’m guessing these scams have a much higher success rate on the elderly. Might think it’s a waste of time. 

The IRS ones especially. 

posted by kizer permanente

I’ve heard they use this method to determine what is a good number or not. So if someone answers their number gets put on a “good” list. 

I think this might be it. Basically fishing for valid phone numbers.

If the FCC wants to do something productive they should forget about Net Neutrality (I know they essentially have, but Dems seem to be resurfacing it in the House) and focus on finding and punishing these assholes.

I saw somewhere there is new AI tech out there that weeds a lot of this out, and most of the providers were in the process of rolling it out free to users.

If I don't recognize the number, I just don't answer.  That seems to help, although there are spurts where I'll get 2-3 a day for a week or so then it stops for a few months.  Although, if my voicemail is picking then I suppose that defeats the purpose of not answering.

I tried one of the apps and it didn't do much to block the spoofers, although you can block a group of numbers close to yours (i.e. all 555-555-4XXX) which I suppose would be pretty effective.

https://phandroid.com/2019/03/28/verizons-free-robocall-blocker-is-now-rolling-out-to-customers/

Heard this was coming.  Haven't dove into how to install or set-up.  But sounds promising.

posted by gut

Heard this was coming.  Haven't dove into how to install or set-up.  But sounds promising.

Yes it does. 

Robokiller has eliminated basically all the ones I get.