I don't get calls from *live* telemarketers anymore. But those darned
recorded calls haven't stopped. "The F!B!I! reports there is a break-in
every 10 minutes" and other such foolishness. Most of the time their
names and numbers aren't displayed. So I've got no way to report them.

I've given up answering the phone. And no, I'm not going to listen to
the recording then press 1 to get a live person on the line to ask them
to stop. I seriously doubt they care. And probably don't have any way
to control it even if they did care.

However, if anyone has any suggestions about how to rid myself of these
recorded nuisance calls I would greatly appreciate it.

Jill

On May 2, 10:29*am, jmcquown > wrote:
> I don't get calls from *live* telemarketers anymore. *But those darned
> recorded calls haven't stopped. *"The F!B!I! reports there is a break-in
> every 10 minutes" and other such foolishness. *Most of the time their
> names and numbers aren't displayed. *So I've got no way to report them.
>
> I've given up answering the phone. *And no, I'm not going to listen to
> the recording then press 1 to get a live person on the line to ask them
> to stop. *I seriously doubt they care. *And probably don't have any way
> to control it even if they did care.
>
> However, if anyone has any suggestions about how to rid myself of these
> recorded nuisance calls I would greatly appreciate it.
>
> Jill

Change your phone number or just use a cell phone.

On May 2, 12:41*pm, Chemo > wrote:
> On May 2, 10:29*am, jmcquown > wrote:
>
> > I don't get calls from *live* telemarketers anymore. *But those darned
> > recorded calls haven't stopped. *"The F!B!I! reports there is a break-in
> > every 10 minutes" and other such foolishness. *Most of the time their
> > names and numbers aren't displayed. *So I've got no way to report them.
>
> > I've given up answering the phone. *And no, I'm not going to listen to
> > the recording then press 1 to get a live person on the line to ask them
> > to stop. *I seriously doubt they care. *And probably don't have any way
> > to control it even if they did care.
>
> > However, if anyone has any suggestions about how to rid myself of these
> > recorded nuisance calls I would greatly appreciate it.
>
> > Jill
>
> Change your phone number or just use a cell phone.

That is not a useful suggestion. I, for one, don't have a cell phone
and have no intention of getting one just to add another monthly cost
to my budget, and changing the number doesn't work because the number
lists are just gathered by purchasing the list, or from public
information. And it is costly to just change a number, both in money
and time.

N.

On 5/2/2013 1:38 PM, Nancy2 wrote:
> On May 2, 12:41 pm, Chemo > wrote:
>> On May 2, 10:29 am, jmcquown > wrote:
>>
>>> I don't get calls from *live* telemarketers anymore. But those darned
>>> recorded calls haven't stopped. "The F!B!I! reports there is a break-in
>>> every 10 minutes" and other such foolishness. Most of the time their
>>> names and numbers aren't displayed. So I've got no way to report them.
>>
>>> I've given up answering the phone. And no, I'm not going to listen to
>>> the recording then press 1 to get a live person on the line to ask them
>>> to stop. I seriously doubt they care. And probably don't have any way
>>> to control it even if they did care.
>>
>>> However, if anyone has any suggestions about how to rid myself of these
>>> recorded nuisance calls I would greatly appreciate it.
>>
>>> Jill
>>
>> Change your phone number or just use a cell phone.
>
> That is not a useful suggestion. I, for one, don't have a cell phone
> and have no intention of getting one just to add another monthly cost
> to my budget, and changing the number doesn't work because the number
> lists are just gathered by purchasing the list, or from public
> information. And it is costly to just change a number, both in money
> and time.

Autodialers are computerized phone call systems that automatically
work their way through every possible combination of numbers that
could be a phone number. Changing one's phone number or making it
unlisted won't stop calls from autodialers. All the best boiler room
operations have them.

On May 2, 12:00*pm, Moe DeLoughan > wrote:
> On 5/2/2013 1:38 PM, Nancy2 wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > On May 2, 12:41 pm, Chemo > wrote:
> >> On May 2, 10:29 am, jmcquown > wrote:
>
> >>> I don't get calls from *live* telemarketers anymore. *But those darned
> >>> recorded calls haven't stopped. *"The F!B!I! reports there is a break-in
> >>> every 10 minutes" and other such foolishness. *Most of the time their
> >>> names and numbers aren't displayed. *So I've got no way to report them.
>
> >>> I've given up answering the phone. *And no, I'm not going to listen to
> >>> the recording then press 1 to get a live person on the line to ask them
> >>> to stop. *I seriously doubt they care. *And probably don't have any way
> >>> to control it even if they did care.
>
> >>> However, if anyone has any suggestions about how to rid myself of these
> >>> recorded nuisance calls I would greatly appreciate it.
>
> >>> Jill
>
> >> Change your phone number or just use a cell phone.
>
> > That is not a useful suggestion. *I, for one, don't have a cell phone
> > and have no intention of getting one just to add another monthly cost
> > to my budget, and changing the number doesn't work because the number
> > lists are just gathered by purchasing the list, or from public
> > information. *And it is costly to just change a number, both in money
> > and time.
>
> Autodialers are computerized phone call systems that automatically
> work their way through every possible combination of numbers that
> could be a phone number. Changing one's phone number or making it
> unlisted won't stop calls from autodialers. All the best boiler room
> operations have them.

I've had a cell phone for years with the same number and I have never
got a call from an autodialer or even a call from a telemarketer.

On 5/2/2013 3:00 PM, Moe DeLoughan wrote:
> On 5/2/2013 1:38 PM, Nancy2 wrote:
>> On May 2, 12:41 pm, Chemo > wrote:
>>>> However, if anyone has any suggestions about how to rid myself of these
>>>> recorded nuisance calls I would greatly appreciate it.
>>>
>>>> Jill
>>>
>>> Change your phone number or just use a cell phone.
>>
>> That is not a useful suggestion. I, for one, don't have a cell phone
>> and have no intention of getting one just to add another monthly cost
>> to my budget, and changing the number doesn't work because the number
>> lists are just gathered by purchasing the list, or from public
>> information. And it is costly to just change a number, both in money
>> and time.
>
> Autodialers are computerized phone call systems that automatically work
> their way through every possible combination of numbers that could be a
> phone number. Changing one's phone number or making it unlisted won't
> stop calls from autodialers. All the best boiler room operations have them.

Even a very young Matthew Broderick in the movie 'War Games' had an
auto-dialer! LOL

Jill

On 5/2/2013 2:38 PM, Nancy2 wrote:
> On May 2, 12:41 pm, Chemo > wrote:
>> On May 2, 10:29 am, jmcquown > wrote:
>>
>>> I don't get calls from *live* telemarketers anymore. But those darned
>>> recorded calls haven't stopped. "The F!B!I! reports there is a break-in
>>> every 10 minutes" and other such foolishness. Most of the time their
>>> names and numbers aren't displayed. So I've got no way to report them.
>>
>>> I've given up answering the phone. And no, I'm not going to listen to
>>> the recording then press 1 to get a live person on the line to ask them
>>> to stop. I seriously doubt they care. And probably don't have any way
>>> to control it even if they did care.
>>
>>> However, if anyone has any suggestions about how to rid myself of these
>>> recorded nuisance calls I would greatly appreciate it.
>>
>>> Jill
>>
>> Change your phone number or just use a cell phone.
>
> That is not a useful suggestion. I, for one, don't have a cell phone
> and have no intention of getting one just to add another monthly cost
> to my budget, and changing the number doesn't work because the number
> lists are just gathered by purchasing the list, or from public
> information. And it is costly to just change a number, both in money
> and time.
>
> N.
>
Added expense aside, I gave up my cell phone two years ago because they
(pretty much any wireless device) is "iffy" where I live. I had to go
outside to get a signal. Who the heck wants to have to go outside to
make or receive a phone call? And you're right, changing the number
won't help. Even if it's not someone calling from a purchased list,
auto-dialer programs dial random numbers until they get an answer.

Jill

On May 2, 3:28*pm, jmcquown > wrote:
> On 5/2/2013 2:38 PM, Nancy2 wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > On May 2, 12:41 pm, Chemo > wrote:
> >> On May 2, 10:29 am, jmcquown > wrote:
>
> >>> I don't get calls from *live* telemarketers anymore. *But those darned
> >>> recorded calls haven't stopped. *"The F!B!I! reports there is a break-in
> >>> every 10 minutes" and other such foolishness. *Most of the time their
> >>> names and numbers aren't displayed. *So I've got no way to report them.
>
> >>> I've given up answering the phone. *And no, I'm not going to listen to
> >>> the recording then press 1 to get a live person on the line to ask them
> >>> to stop. *I seriously doubt they care. *And probably don't have any way
> >>> to control it even if they did care.
>
> >>> However, if anyone has any suggestions about how to rid myself of these
> >>> recorded nuisance calls I would greatly appreciate it.
>
> >>> Jill
>
> >> Change your phone number or just use a cell phone.
>
> > That is not a useful suggestion. *I, for one, don't have a cell phone
> > and have no intention of getting one just to add another monthly cost
> > to my budget, and changing the number doesn't work because the number
> > lists are just gathered by purchasing the list, or from public
> > information. *And it is costly to just change a number, both in money
> > and time.
>
> > N.
>
> Added expense aside, I gave up my cell phone two years ago because they
> (pretty much any wireless device) is "iffy" where I live. *I had to go
> outside to get a signal. *Who the heck wants to have to go outside to
> make or receive a phone call? *And you're right, changing the number
> won't help. *Even if it's not someone calling from a purchased list,
> auto-dialer programs dial random numbers until they get an answer.
>
> Jill

Here's another thing you can use: telemarketers, including robo
callers, are supposed to give you an option at the end of their spiel,
to press "1" or whatever, "...to be removed from this list." Some
marketers do include this option, which does seem to work....but you
have to listen to the whole message at least once, to find out if they
are giving you this option or not.

I do encourage you to record the caller's number, date and time, and
then use a reverse lookup service on the Web to find the marketing
company's name. In most cases, you will find a company name and city
where they are located. Then fill out the complaint form at the
FCC page.

I think it does work for many of the robo calls.

N.

Nancy2 > wrote in
news:f7a8e076-c130-4bcd-9b59-
:


> I do encourage you to record the caller's number, date and time,
and
> then use a reverse lookup service on the Web to find the
marketing
> company's name. In most cases, you will find a company name and
city
> where they are located. Then fill out the complaint form at the
> FCC page.
>
> I think it does work for many of the robo calls.
>
> N.
>

Won't work. In most cases, the number you see on your caller ID
screen is not the telemarketer's real number. The technology
exists, and these slimeballs use it, to make your caller ID
display any number they want it to. There's even a name for it in
telecomm jargon. It's called "spoofing".

Still, it's semi-enjoyable to fantasize about taking "Hi, I'm
<whoever> from Credit Card Services" and staking her out in the
middle of the Sahara Desert. Naked. At high noon. On an ant
hill. And drizzling her with honey.

On Thu, 2 May 2013 10:41:21 -0700 (PDT), Chemo >
wrote:

>On May 2, 10:29*am, jmcquown > wrote:
>> I don't get calls from *live* telemarketers anymore. *But those darned
>> recorded calls haven't stopped. *"The F!B!I! reports there is a break-in
>> every 10 minutes" and other such foolishness. *Most of the time their
>> names and numbers aren't displayed. *So I've got no way to report them.
>>
>> I've given up answering the phone. *And no, I'm not going to listen to
>> the recording then press 1 to get a live person on the line to ask them
>> to stop. *I seriously doubt they care. *And probably don't have any way
>> to control it even if they did care.
>>
>> However, if anyone has any suggestions about how to rid myself of these
>> recorded nuisance calls I would greatly appreciate it.
>>
>> Jill
>
>Change your phone number or just use a cell phone.

That won't achieve much. The recorded calls dials numbers
consecutively.

On Thursday, May 2, 2013 11:29:28 AM UTC-6, jmcquown wrote:
> I don't get calls from *live* telemarketers anymore. But those darned
>
> recorded calls haven't stopped. "The F!B!I! reports there is a break-in
>
> every 10 minutes" and other such foolishness. Most of the time their
>
> names and numbers aren't displayed. So I've got no way to report them.
>
>
>
> I've given up answering the phone. And no, I'm not going to listen to
>
> the recording then press 1 to get a live person on the line to ask them
>
> to stop. I seriously doubt they care. And probably don't have any way
>
> to control it even if they did care.
>
>
>
> However, if anyone has any suggestions about how to rid myself of these
>
> recorded nuisance calls I would greatly appreciate it.
>
>
>
> Jill

IF I had a solution I would be a millionaire. Our dominant telephone company doesn't help either. If we phone Telus for any reason such as adding a service
like call display...the next day or so after that call we get a call from
India asking if the quality of service was to our satisfaction. Apparently
they contract out for these follow-up calls which everyone complains
about.

On 5/2/2013 1:46 PM, Roy wrote:
> On Thursday, May 2, 2013 11:29:28 AM UTC-6, jmcquown wrote:
>> I don't get calls from *live* telemarketers anymore. But those darned
>>
>> recorded calls haven't stopped. "The F!B!I! reports there is a break-in
>>
>> every 10 minutes" and other such foolishness. Most of the time their
>>
>> names and numbers aren't displayed. So I've got no way to report them.
>>
>>
>>
>> I've given up answering the phone. And no, I'm not going to listen to
>>
>> the recording then press 1 to get a live person on the line to ask them
>>
>> to stop. I seriously doubt they care. And probably don't have any way
>>
>> to control it even if they did care.
>>
>>
>>
>> However, if anyone has any suggestions about how to rid myself of these
>>
>> recorded nuisance calls I would greatly appreciate it.
>>
>>
>>
>> Jill
>
> IF I had a solution I would be a millionaire.

You and me, both!

> Our dominant telephone company doesn't help either. If we phone Telus for any reason such as adding a service
> like call display...the next day or so after that call we get a call from
> India asking if the quality of service was to our satisfaction. Apparently
> they contract out for these follow-up calls which everyone complains
> about.
>
Oh, absolutely! But see, you're doing *business* with Telus, so they're
allowed to contract with someone to take surveys on their behalf.

But those pre-recorded calls... major irritant! So, I just don't answer
the phone unless I know who is calling.

Jill

On Thu, 02 May 2013 13:29:28 -0400, jmcquown >
wrote:

> I don't get calls from *live* telemarketers anymore. But those darned
> recorded calls haven't stopped. "The F!B!I! reports there is a break-in
> every 10 minutes" and other such foolishness. Most of the time their
> names and numbers aren't displayed. So I've got no way to report them.
>
> I've given up answering the phone. And no, I'm not going to listen to
> the recording then press 1 to get a live person on the line to ask them
> to stop. I seriously doubt they care. And probably don't have any way
> to control it even if they did care.
>
> However, if anyone has any suggestions about how to rid myself of these
> recorded nuisance calls I would greatly appreciate it.
>

Screen your calls with an answering machine.


--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On 5/2/2013 2:16 PM, sf wrote:
> On Thu, 02 May 2013 13:29:28 -0400, jmcquown >
> wrote:
>
>> I don't get calls from *live* telemarketers anymore. But those darned
>> recorded calls haven't stopped. "The F!B!I! reports there is a break-in
>> every 10 minutes" and other such foolishness. Most of the time their
>> names and numbers aren't displayed. So I've got no way to report them.
>>
>> I've given up answering the phone. And no, I'm not going to listen to
>> the recording then press 1 to get a live person on the line to ask them
>> to stop. I seriously doubt they care. And probably don't have any way
>> to control it even if they did care.
>>
>> However, if anyone has any suggestions about how to rid myself of these
>> recorded nuisance calls I would greatly appreciate it.
>>
>
> Screen your calls with an answering machine.
>
I do that. But having the phone ringing many times a day only to hear
<click> when the machine kicks in is driving me to distraction.

OB Food: Ground chuck roast... decisions, decisions.

Jill

jmcquown wrote:
>sf wrote:
>>
>> Screen your calls with an answering machine.
>>
>I do that. But having the phone ringing many times a day only to hear
><click> when the machine kicks in is driving me to distraction.

An answering machine can't screen calls unless the caller leaves a
message... many people, including me, don't always leave a message
unless they have something important to say because they hate playing
telephone tag... and too many people do not return calls for days only
to assert dominance. You need to look at your caller ID and if a
number is displayed that you recognize as someone you know then you
would be wise to answer your phone, or they will likely make more
attempts. If I see a number of someone I know I always answer my
phone... If I can't talk at the moment I simply say I will call back
at a particular time and then I do... I don't play telephone games,
especially pretending I'm not there. Before I give out my phone
number I decide if it's someone I value enough to answer when they
call and that they will respect me enough to answer when I call. I
take the telephone seriously, it's an important tool, not a toy for
playing infantile mind games.

On 5/2/2013 4:16 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
> jmcquown wrote:
>> sf wrote:
>>>
>>> Screen your calls with an answering machine.
>>>
>> I do that. But having the phone ringing many times a day only to hear
>> <click> when the machine kicks in is driving me to distraction.
>
> An answering machine can't screen calls unless the caller leaves a
> message... many people, including me, don't always leave a message
> unless they have something important to say because they hate playing
> telephone tag... and too many people do not return calls for days only
> to assert dominance. You need to look at your caller ID and if a
> number is displayed that you recognize as someone you know then you
> would be wise to answer your phone, or they will likely make more
> attempts. If I see a number of someone I know I always answer my
> phone... If I can't talk at the moment I simply say I will call back
> at a particular time and then I do... I don't play telephone games,
> especially pretending I'm not there. Before I give out my phone
> number I decide if it's someone I value enough to answer when they
> call and that they will respect me enough to answer when I call. I
> take the telephone seriously, it's an important tool, not a toy for
> playing infantile mind games.
>
I'm not talking about pretending I'm not home, although it is certainly
my right not to answer if I don't feel like it. I'm not a slave to the
telephone.

I was talking about auto-dialed phone calls. They don't display a
number or name. The systems disconnect if they get a machine or
voicemail. They'll auto-dial again periodically. This is particularly
true when elections are going on.

As far as "telephone games", I'll say this. I'm sure as hell not
rushing to check the caller ID if I hear the phone and I'm in the
shower. I don't feel like slipping and breaking my neck because chances
are it's not important. If it is, the person will leave me a message.
Many a time I've been unloading bags of groceries and the phone rings.
They can wait, I'm busy. Then again, I also consider myself busy if I'm
simply sitting outside enjoying a book. Or cooking or eating.

If someone *really* needed to reach me in an emergency, they know how.
But really, nothing short of an evacuation is that much of an emergency.

Jill

On May 2, 2:06*pm, jmcquown > wrote:
> On 5/2/2013 4:16 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > jmcquown wrote:
> >> sf wrote:
>
> >>> Screen your calls with an answering machine.
>
> >> I do that. *But having the phone ringing many times a day only to hear
> >> <click> when the machine kicks in is driving me to distraction.
>
> > An answering machine can't screen calls unless the caller leaves a
> > message... many people, including me, don't always leave a message
> > unless they have something important to say because they hate playing
> > telephone tag... and too many people do not return calls for days only
> > to assert dominance. *You need to look at your caller ID and if a
> > number is displayed that you recognize as someone you know then you
> > would be wise to answer your phone, or they will likely make more
> > attempts. *If I see a number of someone I know I always answer my
> > phone... If I can't talk at the moment I simply say I will call back
> > at a particular time and then I do... I don't play telephone games,
> > especially pretending I'm not there. *Before I give out my phone
> > number I decide if it's someone I value enough to answer when they
> > call and that they will respect me enough to answer when I call. *I
> > take the telephone seriously, it's an important tool, not a toy for
> > playing infantile mind games.
>
> I'm not talking about pretending I'm not home, although it is certainly
> my right not to answer if I don't feel like it. *I'm not a slave to the
> telephone.
>
> I was talking about auto-dialed phone calls. *They don't display a
> number or name. *The systems disconnect if they get a machine or
> voicemail. *They'll auto-dial again periodically. *This is particularly
> true when elections are going on.
>
> As far as "telephone games", I'll say this. *I'm sure as hell not
> rushing to check the caller ID if I hear the phone and I'm in the
> shower. *I don't feel like slipping and breaking my neck because chances
> are it's not important. *If it is, the person will leave me a message.
> Many a time I've been unloading bags of groceries and the phone rings.
> They can wait, I'm busy. *Then again, I also consider myself busy if I'm
> simply sitting outside enjoying a book. *Or cooking or eating.
>
> If someone *really* needed to reach me in an emergency, they know how.
> But really, nothing short of an evacuation is that much of an emergency.
>
> Jill

I thought if you told them to take you off of their list, they had to.

On Thu, 02 May 2013 17:06:15 -0400, jmcquown >
wrote:

>On 5/2/2013 4:16 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
>> jmcquown wrote:
>>> sf wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Screen your calls with an answering machine.
>>>>
>>> I do that. But having the phone ringing many times a day only to hear
>>> <click> when the machine kicks in is driving me to distraction.
>>
>> An answering machine can't screen calls unless the caller leaves a
>> message... many people, including me, don't always leave a message
>> unless they have something important to say because they hate playing
>> telephone tag... and too many people do not return calls for days only
>> to assert dominance. You need to look at your caller ID and if a
>> number is displayed that you recognize as someone you know then you
>> would be wise to answer your phone, or they will likely make more
>> attempts. If I see a number of someone I know I always answer my
>> phone... If I can't talk at the moment I simply say I will call back
>> at a particular time and then I do... I don't play telephone games,
>> especially pretending I'm not there. Before I give out my phone
>> number I decide if it's someone I value enough to answer when they
>> call and that they will respect me enough to answer when I call. I
>> take the telephone seriously, it's an important tool, not a toy for
>> playing infantile mind games.
>>
>I'm not talking about pretending I'm not home, although it is certainly
>my right not to answer if I don't feel like it. I'm not a slave to the
>telephone.

If you feel like a slave to the telephone then maybe you need to
reconsider having a phone... in this high tech world you really can't
have a phone where you get to choose who calls you and when. You
either go along with teh program or suffer the consequences of
receiving an inordinate number of annoying calls... remember, you're
the one who started this thread, you're the one with tha problem,
you're the one who asked for help... so don't pull a Julie.

No, you're not compelled to answer your phone, but if you don't then
you're setting yourself up for receiving an extra ordinary dose of
annoying phone calls, especially with your phone number in your
answering machine message. If you're there you do yourself a big
favor by picking up before your answering machine comes on, and it
just may be someone you know who's calling, then you can either talk
to them or head them off at the pass by saying you're busy and will
call them back... otherwise they may keep trying to get you. I very
often receive calls from people I know when I am unable to talk (and
you know why), it's better for me to call back when it's convenient
for me talk... and when I say I will call back at a particular time I
do, it's very rude not to.

>I was talking about auto-dialed phone calls. They don't display a
>number or name.

That's not true, I get lots of auto-dialed calls that display a phone
number and many a name as well... my mail order pharmacy auto-dials
several times a week, I see the number and the state(s), they have
offices in I think five states but all with the same 800 number...
those calls are to say an Rx was sent, then again to ask if I have
questions about the medicine to call their phamacist, another call to
apprise me that it's my last renewal and to explain the several
procedures for renewal, and other calls too... can be annoying but I
need to answer or the robot keeps dialing, and naturally I need the
Rx. My local Rite Aid also does auto-dial, they display their phone
number but not their name... I always pick up when I see that number
because the instructions are almost always important and if I ignore
it the robot keeps dialing. My doctors the same... in these high tech
times nearly every business auto-dildoes.

>The systems disconnect if they get a machine or
>voicemail. They'll auto-dial again periodically. This is particularly
>true when elections are going on.

For some strange reason I don't ever get political/survey calls

>As far as "telephone games", I'll say this. I'm sure as hell not
>rushing to check the caller ID if I hear the phone and I'm in the
>shower. I don't feel like slipping and breaking my neck because chances
>are it's not important. If it is, the person will leave me a message.
>Many a time I've been unloading bags of groceries and the phone rings.
>They can wait, I'm busy.

Naturally if you're truly indisposed it's a given you're not going to
answer a call.

>Then again, I also consider myself busy if I'm
>simply sitting outside enjoying a book. Or cooking or eating.

I don't consider those situations such that I can't answer a call...
it's far better to answer and say you just sat down to dinner and
you'll call back in an hour... I'd not have the nerve to tell a friend
I can't talk now, that reading a book is more important then our
friendship.

>If someone *really* needed to reach me in an emergency, they know how.

In a *real* emergency no one will call you, you're the last person
they'd think to call, they'll dial 911.

On Thu, 02 May 2013 17:06:15 -0400, jmcquown >
wrote:

> On 5/2/2013 4:16 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
> > jmcquown wrote:
> >> sf wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Screen your calls with an answering machine.
> >>>
> >> I do that. But having the phone ringing many times a day only to hear
> >> <click> when the machine kicks in is driving me to distraction.
> >
> > An answering machine can't screen calls unless the caller leaves a
> > message... many people, including me, don't always leave a message
> > unless they have something important to say because they hate playing
> > telephone tag... and too many people do not return calls for days only
> > to assert dominance. You need to look at your caller ID and if a
> > number is displayed that you recognize as someone you know then you
> > would be wise to answer your phone, or they will likely make more
> > attempts. If I see a number of someone I know I always answer my
> > phone... If I can't talk at the moment I simply say I will call back
> > at a particular time and then I do... I don't play telephone games,
> > especially pretending I'm not there. Before I give out my phone
> > number I decide if it's someone I value enough to answer when they
> > call and that they will respect me enough to answer when I call. I
> > take the telephone seriously, it's an important tool, not a toy for
> > playing infantile mind games.
> >
> I'm not talking about pretending I'm not home, although it is certainly
> my right not to answer if I don't feel like it. I'm not a slave to the
> telephone.
>
> I was talking about auto-dialed phone calls. They don't display a
> number or name. The systems disconnect if they get a machine or
> voicemail. They'll auto-dial again periodically. This is particularly
> true when elections are going on.
>
> As far as "telephone games", I'll say this. I'm sure as hell not
> rushing to check the caller ID if I hear the phone and I'm in the
> shower. I don't feel like slipping and breaking my neck because chances
> are it's not important. If it is, the person will leave me a message.
> Many a time I've been unloading bags of groceries and the phone rings.
> They can wait, I'm busy. Then again, I also consider myself busy if I'm
> simply sitting outside enjoying a book. Or cooking or eating.
>
> If someone *really* needed to reach me in an emergency, they know how.
> But really, nothing short of an evacuation is that much of an emergency.
>
That's why I said to screen your calls. Pick it up if you recognize
the number, let the machine take it if you don't. If you don't feel
like looking at the answering machine, then you certainly shouldn't
care if they hang up without leaving a message. I certainly don't.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> I do that. But having the phone ringing many times a day only to hear
> <click> when the machine kicks in is driving me to distraction.
>
> OB Food: Ground chuck roast... decisions, decisions.

Same here. Even if I know who it is and don't want to take the call, this
one person will leave long winded messages on my answering machine and I am
forced to have that going on, even if it's in the background. And this
person will call again and again, repeatedly. It's to the point where I
don't even listen to the messages. They aren't saying anything of value. I
just wait till the calls stop and then erase them all.

On 5/3/2013 7:47 AM, heyjoe wrote:
> On Thu, 02 May 2013 14:23:21 -0400, jmcquown wrote:
>
>> having the phone ringing many times a day only to hear
>> <click> when the machine kicks in is driving me to distraction.
>
> So . . . turn the ringer on the telephone off. You'll still be able to
> hear the <click> and your intro message to alert you that someone is
> calling.
>
> Go the extra mile and start off your answering machine intro message
> with the phone company's tone that indicates the phone has been
> disconnected, then dead air for about five seconds before your message
> starts (google for the "phone has been disconnected" tone"). A couple
> of months of that will get you off a lot of call lists, with no effort
> on your part.
>
>
Now that's a good idea!

Jill

On 5/3/2013 10:09 AM, barbie gee wrote:
>
>
> On Fri, 3 May 2013, jmcquown wrote:
>
>> On 5/3/2013 7:47 AM, heyjoe wrote:
>>> On Thu, 02 May 2013 14:23:21 -0400, jmcquown wrote:
>>>
>>>> having the phone ringing many times a day only to hear
>>>> <click> when the machine kicks in is driving me to distraction.
>>>
>>> So . . . turn the ringer on the telephone off. You'll still be able to
>>> hear the <click> and your intro message to alert you that someone is
>>> calling.
>>>
>>> Go the extra mile and start off your answering machine intro message
>>> with the phone company's tone that indicates the phone has been
>>> disconnected, then dead air for about five seconds before your message
>>> starts (google for the "phone has been disconnected" tone"). A couple
>>> of months of that will get you off a lot of call lists, with no effort
>>> on your part.
>>>
>>>
>> Now that's a good idea!
>
> but what about legitimate callers? won't they think your phone is
> disconnected, if they don't listen to the rest of the message?
>
Hmmm, yeah. Cute idea but it could confuse legitimate (business)
callers. Sometimes I do get out of state calls that are related to
banking, etc. and they wouldn't know what to make of it.

Jill

On Thu, 02 May 2013 11:16:32 -0700, sf > wrote:

>On Thu, 02 May 2013 13:29:28 -0400, jmcquown >
>wrote:
>
>> I don't get calls from *live* telemarketers anymore. But those darned
>> recorded calls haven't stopped. "The F!B!I! reports there is a break-in
>> every 10 minutes" and other such foolishness. Most of the time their
>> names and numbers aren't displayed. So I've got no way to report them.
>>
>> I've given up answering the phone.

That's silly... especially since your answering machine message gives
your phone number. If you are ascared to answer your phone then you
may as well unplug it and toss it in the trash.

>>And no, I'm not going to listen to
>> the recording then press 1 to get a live person on the line to ask them
>> to stop. I seriously doubt they care. And probably don't have any way
>> to control it even if they did care.
>>
>> However, if anyone has any suggestions about how to rid myself of these
>> recorded nuisance calls I would greatly appreciate it.
>
>Screen your calls with an answering machine.

Crank callers typically don't leave a message.

Most folks nowadays have their phone company add the feature that
insists callers press *82 before dialing your number so that their
number is displayed in your caller ID window. If your phone has no
caller ID then it's time to buy a new phone... my desk phone was 30
years old, had no caller ID and I was getting tired of having to look
over to the other side of the room to check the caller ID on my
cordless phone so I just two days ago bought this great phone, has
wonderful sound too:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

On May 2, 1:53*pm, Brooklyn1 > wrote:
> On Thu, 02 May 2013 11:16:32 -0700, sf > wrote:
> >On Thu, 02 May 2013 13:29:28 -0400, jmcquown >
> >wrote:
>
> >> I don't get calls from *live* telemarketers anymore. *But those darned
> >> recorded calls haven't stopped. *"The F!B!I! reports there is a break-in
> >> every 10 minutes" and other such foolishness. *Most of the time their
> >> names and numbers aren't displayed. *So I've got no way to report them.
>
> >> I've given up answering the phone.
>
> That's silly... especially since your answering machine message gives
> your phone number. *If you are ascared to answer your phone then you
> may as well unplug it and toss it in the trash.
>
> >>And no, I'm not going to listen to
> >> the recording then press 1 to get a live person on the line to ask them
> >> to stop. *I seriously doubt they care. *And probably don't have any way
> >> to control it even if they did care.
>
> >> However, if anyone has any suggestions about how to rid myself of these
> >> recorded nuisance calls I would greatly appreciate it.
>
> >Screen your calls with an answering machine.
>
> Crank callers typically don't leave a message.
>
> Most folks nowadays have their phone company add the feature that
> insists callers press *82 before dialing your number so that their
> number is displayed in your caller ID window. *If your phone has no
> caller ID then it's time to buy a new phone... my desk phone was 30
> years old, had no caller ID and I was getting tired of having to look
> over to the other side of the room to check the caller ID on my
> cordless phone so I just two days ago bought this great phone, has
> wonderful sound too: *http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ils_o01_s00_i0...

Here, Caller ID is a premium feature from the local phone company. I
pay extra for it. My answering machine (new) doesn't display a number
without the Caller ID feature being activated.

N.

On Thu, 2 May 2013 13:59:51 -0700 (PDT), Nancy2
> wrote:

>On May 2, 1:53*pm, Brooklyn1 > wrote:
>> On Thu, 02 May 2013 11:16:32 -0700, sf > wrote:
>> >On Thu, 02 May 2013 13:29:28 -0400, jmcquown >
>> >wrote:
>>
>> >> I don't get calls from *live* telemarketers anymore. *But those darned
>> >> recorded calls haven't stopped. *"The F!B!I! reports there is a break-in
>> >> every 10 minutes" and other such foolishness. *Most of the time their
>> >> names and numbers aren't displayed. *So I've got no way to report them.
>>
>> >> I've given up answering the phone.
>>
>> That's silly... especially since your answering machine message gives
>> your phone number. *If you are ascared to answer your phone then you
>> may as well unplug it and toss it in the trash.
>>
>> >>And no, I'm not going to listen to
>> >> the recording then press 1 to get a live person on the line to ask them
>> >> to stop. *I seriously doubt they care. *And probably don't have any way
>> >> to control it even if they did care.
>>
>> >> However, if anyone has any suggestions about how to rid myself of these
>> >> recorded nuisance calls I would greatly appreciate it.
>>
>> >Screen your calls with an answering machine.
>>
>> Crank callers typically don't leave a message.
>>
>> Most folks nowadays have their phone company add the feature that
>> insists callers press *82 before dialing your number so that their
>> number is displayed in your caller ID window. *If your phone has no
>> caller ID then it's time to buy a new phone... my desk phone was 30
>> years old, had no caller ID and I was getting tired of having to look
>> over to the other side of the room to check the caller ID on my
>> cordless phone so I just two days ago bought this great phone, has
>> wonderful sound too: *http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ils_o01_s00_i0...
>
>Here, Caller ID is a premium feature from the local phone company.

Obviously, but it's rather inexpensive, and worth it if one doesn't
want to be hassled with crank calls.

On Thu, 2 May 2013 13:59:51 -0700 (PDT), Nancy2
> wrote:

> Here, Caller ID is a premium feature from the local phone company. I
> pay extra for it. My answering machine (new) doesn't display a number
> without the Caller ID feature being activated.

AFAIC, it's worth every cent.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 02 May 2013 13:29:28 -0400, jmcquown >
> wrote:
>
>> I don't get calls from *live* telemarketers anymore. But those darned
>> recorded calls haven't stopped. "The F!B!I! reports there is a break-in
>> every 10 minutes" and other such foolishness. Most of the time their
>> names and numbers aren't displayed. So I've got no way to report them.
>>
>> I've given up answering the phone. And no, I'm not going to listen to
>> the recording then press 1 to get a live person on the line to ask them
>> to stop. I seriously doubt they care. And probably don't have any way
>> to control it even if they did care.
>>
>> However, if anyone has any suggestions about how to rid myself of these
>> recorded nuisance calls I would greatly appreciate it.
>>
>
> Screen your calls with an answering machine.

That's really the only way, or if I happen to be close by the phone and
don't recognize the number, I just pick the phone up and immediately hang
up.

Cheri

"Cheri" wrote:
>>
>> Screen your calls with an answering machine.
>
>That's really the only way,

You can't screen calls with an answering machine if the caller doesn't
leave a message, and those computer calls Jill is referring to don't
leave messages.

>or if I happen to be close by the phone and
>don't recognize the number, I just pick the phone up and immediately hang
>up.

Well, that's sorta silly, you need to pick up and find out who is
calling from that number at least once, it could be important...
doctor's offices call with computer to confirm appointments and they
only display a number, no name... and the number displayed is likely
not their usual office number. I often receive computer calls from
pharmacies to apprise me that my Rx is ready for pick up.. it'd be
dumb to not pick up such calls. Medical calls don't identify
themselves for privacy reasons. I just can't fathom why of late folks
are so ascared to answer their phone.

On Thursday, May 2, 2013 4:29:54 PM UTC-4, Cheri wrote:
>
>
>
> if I happen to be close by the phone and
>
> don't recognize the number, I just pick the phone up and immediately hang
>
> up.
>

WRONG!!!! This tells them there IS a live body at that number and you're less likely to be deleted from their lists. Aw, heck, on 2nd thought, I doubt they have sucker lists. Their equipt. just dials thru entire exchanges and hope for some schnook to pick up.

On Thu, 2 May 2013 17:47:04 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia
> wrote:

> On Thursday, May 2, 2013 4:29:54 PM UTC-4, Cheri wrote:
> >
> > if I happen to be close by the phone and
> >
> > don't recognize the number, I just pick the phone up and immediately hang
> >
> > up.
> >
>
> WRONG!!!! This tells them there IS a live body at that number and you're less likely to be deleted from their lists. Aw, heck, on 2nd thought, I doubt they have sucker lists. Their equipt. just dials thru entire exchanges and hope for some schnook to pick up.

Correct. Computers auto-dial all the possible number combinations
123-234-4567, 123-234-4568, 123-234-4569 etc.

What I've gotten a couple of times on my cell phone is a machine that
calls and asks me to wait on the line until a real person can get to
me. Huh, WHAT? That's what I call chutzpah. It takes brass balls to
robo-call ME and then tell me to wait when I didn't ask them to call
in the first place. Click!

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 2 May 2013 17:47:04 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia
> > wrote:
>
>> On Thursday, May 2, 2013 4:29:54 PM UTC-4, Cheri wrote:
>> >
>> > if I happen to be close by the phone and
>> >
>> > don't recognize the number, I just pick the phone up and immediately
>> > hang
>> >
>> > up.
>> >
>>
>> WRONG!!!! This tells them there IS a live body at that number and you're
>> less likely to be deleted from their lists. Aw, heck, on 2nd thought, I
>> doubt they have sucker lists. Their equipt. just dials thru entire
>> exchanges and hope for some schnook to pick up.
>
> Correct. Computers auto-dial all the possible number combinations
> 123-234-4567, 123-234-4568, 123-234-4569 etc.
>
> What I've gotten a couple of times on my cell phone is a machine that
> calls and asks me to wait on the line until a real person can get to
> me. Huh, WHAT? That's what I call chutzpah. It takes brass balls to
> robo-call ME and then tell me to wait when I didn't ask them to call
> in the first place. Click!

I got a call today from a security company and since I know I'm listed as a
contact for my best friend, I answered. They said...don't hang up, this is
not a telemarketing call, and then they proceeded to tell me that someone
had given my name to them and they wanted to sell me a home security, which
is a telemarketing call. Lots of cheek, and I did hang up.

Cheri

On May 2, 7:47*pm, Kalmia > wrote:
> On Thursday, May 2, 2013 4:29:54 PM UTC-4, Cheri wrote:
>
> > *if I happen to be close by the phone and
>
> > don't recognize the number, I just pick the phone up and immediately hang
>
> > up.
>
> WRONG!!!! *This tells them there IS a live body at that number and you're less likely to be deleted from their lists. *Aw, heck, on 2nd thought, *I doubt they have sucker lists. *Their equipt. just dials thru entire exchanges and hope for some schnook to pick up.

I hit the answer/off buttons "click, click," that fast, and apparently
it makes their system think something is wrong with the number,
because so far none of those have called again.

N.

"Kalmia" > wrote in message
...
On Thursday, May 2, 2013 4:29:54 PM UTC-4, Cheri wrote:
>
>
>
> if I happen to be close by the phone and
>
> don't recognize the number, I just pick the phone up and immediately hang
>
> up.
>

WRONG!!!! This tells them there IS a live body at that number and you're
less likely to be deleted from their lists. Aw, heck, on 2nd thought, I
doubt they have sucker lists. Their equipt. just dials thru entire
exchanges and hope for some schnook to pick up.

========

Oh well, I'm not that often by the phone, and if they persist, I put them in
the reject file of my Caller ID that I purchased from Radio Shack years ago
for a hundred dollars, a wonderful invention worth every penny (but no
longer made) that cuts them off at 1 1/2 rings so they don't even reach my
answering machine.

Cheri

On 5/2/2013 12:29 PM, jmcquown wrote:
> I don't get calls from *live* telemarketers anymore. But those darned
> recorded calls haven't stopped. "The F!B!I! reports there is a
> break-in every 10 minutes" and other such foolishness. Most of the
> time their names and numbers aren't displayed. So I've got no way to
> report them.

These are criminal enterprises that are trying to swindle people with
fraudulent products or services. Meaning, they pay no attention at all
to the Do Not Call list, no more than a burglar would pay attention to
a No Solicitors sign on your door. Many of these firms are operating
outside the US, so they're outside the federal government's
jurisdiction. They have a habit of spoofing their caller ID, using
either phony phone numbers/names, or ones that don't belong to them.
They also frequently change their number(s) to get around being placed
on call block lists.

> I've given up answering the phone. And no, I'm not going to listen to
> the recording then press 1 to get a live person on the line to ask
> them to stop. I seriously doubt they care.

Actually, that's one thing you don't want to do. Doing so tells them
you're a person just gullible enough to think that that will have an
effect. Gullible people's numbers get shared/sold to other con artists.

> However, if anyone has any suggestions about how to rid myself of
> these recorded nuisance calls I would greatly appreciate it.

At this point, there's not much beyond using a call block service
(some phone companies provide it as a service, some phones can do it
on their own).

If you can't block, you can change the caller ID in your phone list to
label each of the nuisance numbers as 'CROOK' or 'SPAM' or some
similar don't-bother-answering clue. Not as good as a block, but
you'll recognize it as a worthless caller. The problem with either of
these approaches is that they keep spoofing their numbers, so pretty
soon you fill up your caller ID or block list and yet keep getting the
same calls from new numbers.

This is why the feds recently held that contest offering a $50K prize
to whoever could come up with a workable solution. Two winners are
sharing the prize money to help them commercially develop their
solutions.

On May 2, 1:54*pm, Moe DeLoughan > wrote:
> On 5/2/2013 12:29 PM, jmcquown wrote:
>
> > I don't get calls from *live* telemarketers anymore. *But those darned
> > recorded calls haven't stopped. *"The F!B!I! reports there is a
> > break-in every 10 minutes" and other such foolishness. *Most of the
> > time their names and numbers aren't displayed. *So I've got no way to
> > report them.
>
> These are criminal enterprises that are trying to swindle people with
> fraudulent products or services. Meaning, they pay no attention at all
> to the Do Not Call list, no more than a burglar would pay attention to
> a No Solicitors sign on your door. Many of these firms are operating
> outside the US, so they're outside the federal government's
> jurisdiction. They have a habit of spoofing their caller ID, using
> either phony phone numbers/names, or ones that don't belong to them.
> They also frequently change their number(s) to get around being placed
> on call block lists.
>
> > I've given up answering the phone. *And no, I'm not going to listen to
> > the recording then press 1 to get a live person on the line to ask
> > them to stop. *I seriously doubt they care.
>
> Actually, that's one thing you don't want to do. Doing so tells them
> you're a person just gullible enough to think that that will have an
> effect. Gullible people's numbers get shared/sold to other con artists.
>
> > However, if anyone has any suggestions about how to rid myself of
> > these recorded nuisance calls I would greatly appreciate it.
>
> At this point, there's not much beyond using a call block service
> (some phone companies provide it as a service, some phones can do it
> on their own).
>
> If you can't block, you can change the caller ID in your phone list to
> label each of the nuisance numbers as 'CROOK' or 'SPAM' or some
> similar don't-bother-answering clue. Not as good as a block, but
> you'll recognize it as a worthless caller. The problem with either of
> these approaches is that they keep spoofing their numbers, so pretty
> soon you fill up your caller ID or block list and yet keep getting the
> same calls from new numbers.
>
> This is why the feds recently held that contest offering a $50K prize
> to whoever could come up with a workable solution. Two winners are
> sharing the prize money to help them commercially develop their
> solutions.

As I mentioned earlier.

N.

Here's my strategy.
I have caller id. If the phone rings, I
a. never run to it, esp. if hands in water, I'm in shower or eating.
b. caller id tells me if I want to answer it. If it's really important, the caller can leave a message. The nuisance callers never get to that point..
c. unplug phone if want to nap or just not be interrupted.

I don't get too many nuisance calls. Changing to a new unlisted number only means you a. get a lot of misdirected calls ( as I doubt there are any virgin numbers being assigned) and b. you have to notify ppl and, sure as shootin', you'll forget someone you'd like to hear from.

I also have anonymous caller block, but I doubt it works.

On 5/2/2013 3:06 PM, Kalmia wrote:
> Here's my strategy.
> I have caller id. If the phone rings, I
> a. never run to it, esp. if hands in water, I'm in shower or eating.
> b. caller id tells me if I want to answer it. If it's really important, the caller can leave a message. The nuisance callers never get to that point.
> c. unplug phone if want to nap or just not be interrupted.
>
> I don't get too many nuisance calls. Changing to a new unlisted number only means you a. get a lot of misdirected calls ( as I doubt there are any virgin numbers being assigned) and b. you have to notify ppl and, sure as shootin', you'll forget someone you'd like to hear from.
>
I don't talk with a lot of people on the phone. But you're right, it's
a hassle to change your phone number. I've had to do it a few times
when I moved in the past. I wouldn't voluntarily do it again. As you
say, you have to notify everyone who matters. Not just friends and/or
relatives but everyone you do business with. The bank, the electric/gas
company, the insurance company... darn, did I forget someone? It's a PITA.

As for recycling numbers, once I changed mine when I moved and they gave
me a number ending in 00 (zero zero). In years past mostly only
businesses got phone numbers like that. Well, I got one of those
numbers. For a while I was getting calls for a plumbing company.

Jill

On Thu, 2 May 2013 12:06:01 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia
> wrote:

> I also have anonymous caller block, but I doubt it works.
>
It worked for me... but I haven't had a landline in years, so maybe
it's different now.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

jmcquown wrote:
>
>I don't get calls from *live* telemarketers anymore. But those darned
>recorded calls haven't stopped. "The F!B!I! reports there is a break-in
>every 10 minutes" and other such foolishness. Most of the time their
>names and numbers aren't displayed. So I've got no way to report them.

You can still report them to the Do Not Call Registry, all you need is
the date and time of the call.

>I've given up answering the phone.

Then you will miss calls from people you know.

>And no, I'm not going to listen to
>the recording then press 1 to get a live person on the line to ask them
>to stop. I seriously doubt they care. And probably don't have any way
>to control it even if they did care.

You shouldn't be listening to a computer call that doesn't display at
least their phone number long enough to hear about pressing 1... If I
don't see a phone number I hang up as soon as I hear that robotic
voice.

>However, if anyone has any suggestions about how to rid myself of these
>recorded nuisance calls I would greatly appreciate it.

The first thing you need to do is eliminate giving out your phone
number in your answering machine message, that's very likely how the
cranks got your phone number. What is your reason for including your
phone number in your answering machine message... whoever calls
already knows your phone number. Most private residence answering
machine messages simply say to leave your name, phone number, and
brief message at the beep... many include their last name ("You've
reached the Mc Quown residence") but I don't know of anyone but you
that gives their phone number.

On 5/2/2013 3:40 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
> The first thing you need to do is eliminate giving out your phone
> number in your answering machine message, that's very likely how the
> cranks got your phone number. What is your reason for including your
> phone number in your answering machine message... whoever calls
> already knows your phone number. Most private residence answering
> machine messages simply say to leave your name, phone number, and
> brief message at the beep... many include their last name ("You've
> reached the Mc Quown residence") but I don't know of anyone but you
> that gives their phone number.

That's silly. Auto-dialed recorded calls don't know if I'm saying my
name or my phone number or reciting the alphabet. The program isn't
listening to my greeting, it's simply determining it has reached a
machine before it disconnects.

Jill