Robocall Increase!

[ossiblue]

Well, something has happened and it ain't good

We have caller ID and never answer an unknown number due to scammers and robocallers. Typically, we'd get 1-2 per day, sometimes more, never less. Most of the time they were spoofed numbers from my area code.

Then, Jan. 1st came along and we are getting calls every 10 minutes or so, all from sources with no numbers, ie. "Incoming Call." These calls are starting at 7 am and go on until nearly 9 pm.

A quick check reveals that the new federal legislation applies to calls that can be identified by number but now all the calls are unidentifiable by my caller ID and, I suspect, by the phone company's as well. I am assuming the robocallers have shifted their tactics for a last ditch assault on the public and now only use hidden numbers.

Anyone else notice the major uptick and annoyance? I have had three robocalls since I started this post. I have reset my call blocker to block any call without a number, but it still rings once to identify that a call has been attempted.

I hate robocallers!

[wdfifteen]

My experience has been just the opposite.
I bought an iPhone Xr and switched from Verizon to Consumer Cellular on December 14th. I don't know if it's the phone or CC, but I haven't gotten a single robo call since I switched. I have the same phone number. Used to get 4-5 calls a day, mostly trying to sell health insurance.

[Evans, Marv]

We have only a land line, since we don't have a cell signal where we live. We have gotten maybe one or two calls every day or two from spoofed numbers. It doesn't seem to have changed over the few days since the first.

[Sooner or later]

Mine have almost stopped.

No more Medicare calls
No more "Your SS has been compromised. Czll now!"
No more from the sweet sounding girl that said my business loan has been approved. Even though I never applied for a business loan.

[stevej37]

I just now checked the caller ID on my home phone.
The last robocall was on Dec. 27

[ossiblue]

Boy, you guys are lucky.

And my phone is a land line because of reception. Seriously, the number of calls was dropping off like many of you have stated, but then...WHAM!

I was thinking it was regional, but Marv is from SoCal too. No more spoofed numbers, just "Incoming call" or "Out of Area."

Just checked the Nomorobo website. AT&T land line doesn't support their services. What luck.

[BeyGon]

I have Consumer Cellular and I think my call blocking is doing a good job. I got one call like that yesterday.

[fastfredracing]

I got one today. The number showed on my ID, and it mimicked a number that has called me in the last week.
This may have been my only one this week. I love it. I can once again take the phone seriously

[Skip Newsom]

They ebb and flow like the tide here in the PNW, we still have a landline and beginning back in August we got up to 6 a day. They've tapered off , a quick look shows only 3 since Dec 30th. 2 of which show on caller ID as "potential spam"
I'm not enamored of Spam anyway.

I get a few on my cell, rare though... most recent was an excitable sounding Asian woman using a language I'm really terrible at.

[dan88911]

Just a few for me on the land line, one on the cell.
One of reason I keep the land line is to avoid giving my cell number to people other than family & friends.
Hopefully to have some control.
However, I get the "Asian woman using a language I'm really terrible at"
about every blue moon. Even after blocking.
Other occasional calls to the cell that I do not know, I don't answer.
And if there is no message I block the number.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

I get a really interesting one every so often at work. It is either a hang up (most often) or they are wondering if I need more cocaine. The number goes back to a real estate company in New York City. They claim they are not calling me. Most of the calls come in between 10PM and 4AM.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

There’s a setting on iOS that allows you to send all calls not on your contacts list straight to VM.

Maybe not practical for some businesses but I like it!

[Baz]

L.J. -

Is this issue happening on your landline?

If so....have you ever considered getting a Magic Jack?

$50 to purchase device which includes your first year of service.

Then after the first year it's $40 per year to maintain service.

But the best part is their telemarketing screening option - when selected the caller gets a message saying they need to press one more digit in order for the call to get through. I use this option and can tell you it has eliminated 100% of all telemarket/robo calls for me.

But I do get calls from those I do want to hear from.

It's truly remarkable for that purpose and on top is very cost effective.

https://www.magicjack.com/

Good luck!

[GH85Carrera]

We have a land line only because my wife insists. Happy wife = happy life.

I was getting 15 call a per day, and I never answer the phone. If they don't leave a message, it ain't important. Only my MIL and a few of my wife's friends even call that number, so it is never for me.

In recent weeks, the call volume has dropped a ton. I can actually go days and not get calls.

The only calls I received recently was for the warranty on my cars that were about to expire, and they were going to "close the books" on my warranty if I don't call. I was bored one day so I called them back. I asked which car warranty was about to expire. And I kept asking what they new warranty would cover, if it was drive line only or a bumper to bumper and they kept asking what my car was. I kept them on the line for several minutes asking stupid questions. They finally were insistent I tell them what car I have, and I told them I have two. That made them feel better. Then I told them the 1986 El Camino was at 369,000 miles and the 1985 Porsche 911 was at 175,000 miles I really want a warranty. They suckers just hung up.

[SiberianDVM]

3 months ago I was getting 10 robocalls a day. About the beginning of December, they have dropped off to nothing.

[ossiblue]

Update

First, thanks to all who posted as I wanted a sense of how widespread my issue might be.

I've come to believe that I had one overly aggressive robocall machine that interpreted my answer machine as a viable contact. Within two hours of blocking all calls without identifiable numbers, the phone stopped ringing--all day and all night--except for identifiable callers. I haven't had this much quiet in years.

I'm beginning to think the robocall machines, used by various outfits, are somehow "connected" and share a large data base of numbers known to be active. Now that I've blocked all but spoofed numbers, my own number is out of play. I hope. At least that would explain the abrupt stopping of all incoming calls listed as "Incoming", "Out of Area," "Private Caller," "Unknown Number," etc.

[Por_sha911]

I found this in an article. I wonder if anyone has tried it?

If you really want to get someone’s attention, file a lawsuit. For years, robocallers have hidden behind the first amendment but recipients are starting to fight back, as are carriers, government agencies and third-party companies.

Far more powerful than a “do not call” registry, Robo Revenge is an app that is specifically designed to threaten callers with legal action. The app uses a fake credit card number to mislead robocallers and then identify them, allowing plaintiffs to sue for up to $3,000 per call.

https://www.komando.com/security-privacy/trick-robocallers-with-a-fake-phone-number/579296/

[GH85Carrera]

I will tell any of the other geezers, as you get to age 64.5 years old, you will get tons of call and mail about Medicare Part B coverage options. 12 calls a day is not unusual. Once you roll over to 65 those calls stop.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

I found this in an article. I wonder if anyone has tried it?


https://www.komando.com/security-privacy/trick-robocallers-with-a-fake-phone-number/579296/

sounds too good to be true.

[Por_sha911]

Kim Komando is legit and I've gotten many great tech ideas from her.