OVER 50% OF THE CALLS YOU RECEIVE ARE SPAM OR SCAM AND THE NUMBER WILL KEEP INCREASING. THE MAIN PURPOSE OF SUCH CALLS IS TO DETERMINE IF YOU A “LIVE” NUMBER. IF SO, YOUR NUMBER WILL BE SOLD TO SCAMMERS AND TELEMARKETERS.
HERE ARE SOME TIPS FROM AARP TO AVOID BEING TAGGED AS “LIVE.”
1. Be Silent. If you do, most robocalls disconnect and don’t call back.
2. Use a Small Tape Recorder. Record the message “this is not a working number” and play it into the handset. THe recommender says he’s never gotten a callback with this technique.
3. Use a Call Block App or *77 On Your Landline to Block “Private” or “Unknown” Caller ID. Be aware that sometimes the call could be from a doctor or someone else you want.
4. Never Bite on the One Ring Trick By Calling Back to See Who It Is.
5. If It Is a Live Caller Making a Sales Pitch or Appeal and You Answered Simply Cut Them Off By Saying “I don’t respond to sales calls” and Hang Up Immediately.
If these are too much, simply do what I do. Change your voicemail greeting to say “Due to the Volume of SPAM Calls I Do Not Answer Unrecognized Numbers. If You Wish to Speak to Me Leave a Voicemail Message and I Will Return Your Call.”