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Bird Lady

(1,922 posts)
Fri Mar 11, 2022, 02:41 PM Mar 2022

Please help, I'm losing my mind.

I get ten or more calls a day from companies who are trying to sell me health insurance, medicare supplemental, auto claims saying my car warranty needs these people to renew my warranty. I have never signed up for any of this. There are more that I can't remember.
How do I get rid of these calls. At first I was a calm and spoke to them like they were not the blood suckers they are. Now I am nothing but rude and angry because I use this phone for business and do not appreciate the harassment.

If you have found a way to stop them, please tell me the secret.

Thanks

14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Please help, I'm losing my mind. (Original Post) Bird Lady Mar 2022 OP
I've heard that if you answer the phone, it becomes a "viable" number for them Wingus Dingus Mar 2022 #1
We get them as well... orwell Mar 2022 #2
... Faux pas Mar 2022 #3
I have my phone set I_UndergroundPanther Mar 2022 #4
I don't know how to stop them but one way to avoid them is Runningdawg Mar 2022 #5
We use an app called Hiya. redstatebluegirl Mar 2022 #6
Have you tried this? werdna Mar 2022 #7
When you have spare time to kill.... (Entertainment value only) keithbvadu2 Mar 2022 #8
Maybe I shouldn't have done this but.... XiJung Mar 2022 #9
I only pick up if it's from one of my contacts. Phoenix61 Mar 2022 #10
I changed my phone number. Tetrachloride Mar 2022 #11
I don't usually answer calls where I don't know the number or... Spazito Mar 2022 #12
now that is a great idea. Bird Lady Mar 2022 #13
We do too..At this point, we only answer the phone when whathehell Mar 2022 #14

Wingus Dingus

(8,407 posts)
1. I've heard that if you answer the phone, it becomes a "viable" number for them
Fri Mar 11, 2022, 02:44 PM
Mar 2022

to use and sell. Perhaps don't answer the calls anymore. Screen calls and voicemail.

orwell

(7,969 posts)
2. We get them as well...
Fri Mar 11, 2022, 02:44 PM
Mar 2022

...they generally target people over 50.

I just hang up as soon as the spiel starts.

Faux pas

(15,373 posts)
3. ...
Fri Mar 11, 2022, 02:45 PM
Mar 2022

Call block. If you have a phone that has a phone log you can put those unwanted numbers in call block. I feel for you. I have to block at least 10 calls a day.

I_UndergroundPanther

(12,934 posts)
4. I have my phone set
Fri Mar 11, 2022, 03:22 PM
Mar 2022

To receive calls from contacts only
And if a spam does gets through I dont answer it. My phone ID's the call as spam or scam and I block the number immediately after it quits ringing.

I get very few calls from assholes now.

But if you want my number I ask for yours so you wont get blocked from my phone if you call.

Thats how I manage that shit.

Runningdawg

(4,618 posts)
5. I don't know how to stop them but one way to avoid them is
Fri Mar 11, 2022, 04:02 PM
Mar 2022

give everyone you WANT to talk to a different ring tone. When you hear the default, you know its spam.

redstatebluegirl

(12,482 posts)
6. We use an app called Hiya.
Fri Mar 11, 2022, 04:17 PM
Mar 2022

My husband got it when I was getting inundated with medicare supplement calls when I first went on medicare. It catches most of them, but not all.

keithbvadu2

(40,169 posts)
8. When you have spare time to kill.... (Entertainment value only)
Fri Mar 11, 2022, 08:05 PM
Mar 2022

When you have spare time to kill....
(Entertainment value only)
-----------------------------

How to answer spam phone calls...

Keep asking: What is your name?
... until you get an answer.

What is your company/org name?
... until you get an answer.

What is your company/org address?
... until you get an answer.

What is your company/org phone number?
... until you get an answer.

What number can I get in contact with you?
... until you get an answer.

So what if they lie?
You're just going to hang up on them anyway.
Even better if you say 'sorry, not interested'.
.
Their time is also important to them.

 

XiJung

(81 posts)
9. Maybe I shouldn't have done this but....
Sat Mar 12, 2022, 01:20 AM
Mar 2022

I once answered a call of a known scammer with:

"Cruz County Sheriff's office, fraud division.......Who is this?! What is your name?! Do not hang up!"

Never called back

Phoenix61

(17,663 posts)
10. I only pick up if it's from one of my contacts.
Tue Mar 15, 2022, 09:20 PM
Mar 2022

If it’s legit, they leave a message and I call them right back.

Tetrachloride

(8,453 posts)
11. I changed my phone number.
Thu Mar 17, 2022, 11:35 AM
Mar 2022

As a bonus, answer messages in a foreign language. I like “moshi moshi” (Japanese)

Some countries do a lot better at blocking spam than others. Its been several weeks since i received any unwanted or accidental phone call.

Spazito

(54,405 posts)
12. I don't usually answer calls where I don't know the number or...
Tue Mar 22, 2022, 11:53 AM
Mar 2022

there is no name but sometimes, if the number calls over and over again, I answer it and when they begin their con, I simply say 'this call is being recorded' and, boom, they quickly hang up and the con calls stop for a while.

Bird Lady

(1,922 posts)
13. now that is a great idea.
Tue Mar 22, 2022, 01:40 PM
Mar 2022

I don't know what I did but the calls have stopped and my phone is peaceful.
Thank everyone for your assistance.

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