The past two weeks I have been called several times daily, spoofed Caller ID is always (407) 3xx-xxxx, where the xx-xxxx portion is different each time, so I can not block a specific number.

The area code and office code are Sanford Florida, where some of my customers are, so I really can't block a whole range of numbers.

I swear, I would be tempted to vote for Socialist Bernie if he would guarantee to absolutely put a stop to this shit. Well, maybe not, but there has to be a way to stop this.

I have been out of the telephone engineering business for more that 20 years, but there has to be a way to flag Caller ID that is not actually the same as the number that the call originated from. I know that it could have been done on the systems where I worked on the original version of ANI (Automatic Number Identification -- predecessor to Caller ID). Of course those systems (Step-By-Step, Panel, # 1 CrossBar) had the ANI information hard-wired, so not susceptible to hacking or spoofing.

quote:

I have been out of the telephone engineering business for more that 20 years, but there has to be a way to flag Caller ID that is not actually the same as the number that the call originated from. I know that it could have been done on the systems where I worked on the original version of ANI (Automatic Number Identification -- predecessor to Caller ID). Of course those systems (Step-By-Step, Panel, # 1 CrossBar) had the ANI information hard-wired, so not susceptible to hacking or spoofing.

It is obvious to me that the tech exists to block this crap. I think the debate is HOW MUCH are we going to charge the customer for this ADDED service. The quote that the telephone is the biggest invasion of privacy was uttered quite some time ago, but still holds true.

I take those calls now and it say goal to waste their time. I let them know and laugh at them that I lead them on for 15 minutes and will keep doing it. The calls stopped.

God damn solar power telemarketers have been hounding me this week. Normally, I don’t answer calls from unknown #’s (especially those with matching area code and prefix as they’re typically spoofers), but I have a Contractor coming out and whichever tech is coming is supposed to call from his/her cell phone (ie won’t caller id as contractor’s phone #).

My solar panel telemarketer calls are way down since I started telling them that I already have solar panels. (I actually don't.)

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Originally posted by Fed161:
My solar panel telemarketer calls are way down since I started telling them that I already have solar panels. (I actually don't.)

I got rid of one company last year by telling them the actual electric bill for Houston in July (my home is very efficient). I tried this week and it didn’t phase him. He started back on his spiel and I hung up. He called back and my profanity laden response did phase him.

We switched to "Magic Jack" a few years ago to get rid of ATT. A couple of months age they created an app where the caller has to push a number before the call will go through. No more robo calls.

I was called 4 times on Sunday afternoon about a problem with my I-cloud account. On the forth call I pressed one to speak to an Apple help person. A man with a very heavy India accent comes on the line and says, Hello this is Steve how may I help you. I laughed and said, Steve is it okay Steve what country are you in? He hung up. Now I always count it as a win if I can get scammers to hang up on me, but Steve didn't want to play. That was the last call I got from those scammers, but plenty of others to take their place.
Rod

When I’m bored I pick up and keep yelling “WHAT?!”

I read that AT&T has recently began offering a service ($2/month, I think) that sends junk calls to your voicemail.

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Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:

I read that AT&T has recently began offering a service ($2/month, I think) that sends junk calls to your voicemail.

So, you pay them to get calls, and then you pay them to not get calls. That's a great example of "they get you coming and going."

Good old A&T, if there's a way to screw you, they'll find it, and I say that as an ex-employee. BOHICA!

If I don't answer a junk call and they wish to leave a message, it goes to voice mail. Why pay $2 extra for a service I already have? If they don't wish to leave a message... oh well.
Rod

"You sound sexy. What are you wearing? I'm sitting here naked." usually gets them off the phone pretty quickly. *s*

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Originally posted by fiasconva:

"You sound sexy. What are you wearing? I'm sitting here naked." usually gets them off the phone pretty quickly. *s*

Especially if the telemarketer is male.

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Originally posted by Fed161:
My solar panel telemarketer calls are way down since I started telling them that I already have solar panels. (I actually don't.)

I got a call from a Solar Panel telemarketer offering me a great deal on a system. I jumped on the offer after he listed the details and price. Got a date to install the panels.

Then I gave him my address.......and apartment number.

Boy, was he pissed.

Just don't answer unknown numbers...

If they don't leave a msg, or leave a telemarketer msg - BLOCKED.

If it's important, they'll leave a msg.

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If it's important, they'll leave a msg.

I use this principle on my private cellphone, but it results in problems if like Vtail you are running a business. Most older people will leave a message, younger folks move on to the next business. A 30 something told me that he never leaves a voicemail. Too much trouble. He expects you to have caller ID and call him back. Millenials have money to spend as well so you have to accomodate them to some degree.

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Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:

quote:

If it's important, they'll leave a msg.

I use this principle on my private cellphone, but it results in problems if like Vtail you are running a business. Most older people will leave a message, younger folks move on to the next business. A 30 something told me that he never leaves a voicemail. Too much trouble. He expects you to have caller ID and call him back. Millenials have money to spend as well so you have to accomodate them to some degree.

Sure, if you are selling retail I can understand that. I'm not - all calls are clients on contract, clients wanting to get on contract, or businesses. All would leave a message, but if not answering made them go elsewhere, we likely wouldn't be a good business fit for them anyway. We are always in meetings, flying, traveling, or in places you can't bring a phone - so leaving messages is ops normal.