for about the past 6 months I have been getting hit by calls from a telemarketer 'regarding my credit cards'.

Every one of these calls starts with my old area code and a 494 prefix - which I believe is a cell number bank.

How can I find out who the caller is, where they're located and then figure out some way to spoof calls back to them.

I'd like it to stop.

You can't. They aren't using real number, phones or likely even in the US. It's all web-based.

Just block and move one to the next one that will come tomorrow. It sucks, but you won't win.

I work nights, so I sleep in the morning, or try to. You cannot begin to imagine how much I HATE these people. Public execution and dismemberment is too good for them. I'd be 100% behind the government putting together a task force to track them to whatever third-world shithole they are operating from and sending predator drones to lauch missiles up their ass. Or just nuke 'em from orbit, if that's what it takes. I'm well beyond caring.

It makes it all that much worse that you can't trace them, or even pick up the phone and screw with them because it's all automated recordings. It doesn't even work to block the number, since they never spoof the same one twice.

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:
You can't. They aren't using real number, phones or likely even in the US. It's all web-based.

Just block and move one to the next one that will come tomorrow. It sucks, but you won't win.

This. But, unless you're getting repeat calls from the same spoofed number, don't bother blocking, because it'll be a different number next time, and the time after that, and the time after that, and...

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
I work nights, so I sleep in the morning, or try to. You cannot begin to imagine how much I HATE these people.

All I can suggest is pick better phone service providers.

Our landline is via CallCentric, which has relatively effective anti-telespam measures. Our mobile provider is T-Mobile, who recently implemented opt-in programs to either pass and identify suspected telespam and spoofed callers, or just plain block them. I chose to just plain block them.

Beyond that, what does get through: We rarely answer if we don't recognize the number. That helps cut it down a bit, too, because then you don't get listed as an "easy mark."

One got through this morning, though. I was expecting a call, so I grabbed it.

Me: "Ensigmatic here."
Telespammer: "William?"
Me: "I'm afraid you have the wrong number."
TS: "Well, maybe you can help me. My name is Paul and I'm calling on behalf of the Disabled Veterans of America ..."
Me: "No, I can't help you." <click>

I do not care who you represent. If you telespam me, and particularly if you try to screw with me: You're toast. You'll never see a dime from me in business or charity.

I have these phones to serve my needs, not yours.

I've been having the same problem over the last couple of days (my old area code + the same prefix). Given my old area code, I used to think it was drug dealers who'd mixed my phone number up with their contact's phone number, but I guess that even those guys don't make mistakes that consistently.

It's tapered off a bit, but I was getting 3-5 a day for the last few weeks. From about 9a-4p CST.

Got to the point I didn't answer any calls & my dealership service dept had to leave a VM for me to call back.

Even tougher since Houston now has 4 area codes, but 2-3 more for the surrounding areas.

I have experienced the same problem, most credit card upgrades.
I decided to do the one thing they hate, waste THERE time.
I now string them along as long as possible, then insult them until they hang up.
Most callers voice accents sound like they are from India.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
I work nights, so I sleep in the morning, or try to. You cannot begin to imagine how much I HATE these people. Public execution and dismemberment is too good for them. I'd be 100% behind the government putting together a task force to track them to whatever third-world shithole they are operating from and sending predator drones to lauch missiles up their ass. Or just nuke 'em from orbit, if that's what it takes. I'm well beyond caring.

It makes it all that much worse that you can't trace them, or even pick up the phone and screw with them because it's all automated recordings. It doesn't even work to block the number, since they never spoof the same one twice.

What he said, maybe a little more aggressive and painful if possible. Possibly low yield or dirty bomb so they have a few weeks to think about their actions before their organs melt.

I ask them if they are wearing panties.... CLICK

I was getting some of those calls.

Several months ago, I discovered that you can buy telephones that have blocking. It was about time to replace our aging wireless units, so I bought these Panasonic units, plugged them in and gradually blocked numbers as the calls came. I can’t say we never get such calls anymore, but they have become mighty rare.

Panasonic KX-TGD533W Expandable Cordless Phone with Call Block and Answering Machine - 3 Handsets

If I don't recognize the number, I don't answer the phone. If it's legit, they'll leave a message and I'll them back.

I never get to talk to Jerry Smith from Mumbai. Screen all calls.

Here is the absolute best-- most hilarious-- response to a telemarketer imaginable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7OgWcwgB50

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
If I don't recognize the number, I don't answer the phone. If it's legit, they'll leave a message and I'll them back.

I never get to talk to Jerry Smith from Mumbai. Screen all calls.

This my policy. I do make rare exceptions when I'm expecting an important call from an unknown number, but otherwise, screen all calls.

I do the same with my desk phone at work, and don't return calls from solicitors. It's amazing how persistent some of them are and can at times come down to a battle of wills regarding how many messages over how many weeks are they willing to leave vs. how many messages I'm willing to delete. My resolve only grows!

You guys are talking like there are some form of human calling you. I get the same kind of calls but there all robots using a networked SIPP line where they can change the caller ID information to whatever is in style this time around. I can’t even screw with these, so I mostly don’t answer them.

I also do not answer calls from names/numbers I do not recognize. I do have VoiceMail, but seldom actually check it. Folks that really need to contact me have been advised to use e-mail. (I check e-mail often enough to almost carry on a conversation that way.)

I've been getting calls lately from "INVALID NUMBER", which I of course ignore. I have in the past gotten calls from 200-000-0000, and "200" is not a valid Area Code, even.

flashguy

We use an older version of the Panasonic JALLEN recommends, and it's a decent phone.

With his, you can block up to 150 callers, ours is only good for 40 or so. It's a start, but since we ran out of blocks a couple years ago, I'll guess that the 150 will only last most people about a year.

When I access the list of blocked calls, which in itself is not simple, I can't tell if they are stored in chronological order, so I can't delete some to make room for more.

For the moment, ignoring calls is the only option. When I win the lottery, I'm going to establish a mercenary group that will trace these callers throughout the world. Their task will be to burn down their villages and kill them all, along with their spouses, children, parents, friends, and anybody who is unlucky enough to live in their village! Like the A-Bomb in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, maybe a couple expeditions like this will stop these calls.

You're welcome!

^^^ Welcome hell, where do I apply for a job?

quote:

Originally posted by rusbro:
...It's amazing how persistent some of them are and can at times come down to a battle of wills regarding how many messages over how many weeks are they willing to leave vs. how many messages I'm willing to delete. My resolve only grows!

And who in their right mind could think that anybody would want to do business with these people? Do they seriously think that I'd spend money on their product or service if they just annoy me enough?

quote:

Originally posted by Il Cattivo:
^^^ Welcome hell, where do I apply for a job?

Don't worry, when I win I'll post the jobs here. I imagine I'll get about 80,000 applications from qualified, motivated and equipped members willing to start immediately. Thank you for your interest, your application will be kept on file.

Simple. If the caller isn't in my cellphone's contact list it gets muted and unanswered. Mine is an android but regardless most all cellphones these days have that feature.

As for landlines, I dumped mine 20+ years ago along with an answering machine. 99% of the calls were spam and I no longer saw the benefit of a landline.