I don't answer phone numbers that I don't recognize.

Nope neither do I...it's almost always a cold call.

My landline is Ex directory so I rarely get any calls on there from unknown sources..but on the odd occasion they've managed to get through I don't answer..

It's the same on my mobile I just block any number as soon as I realise it's a Spam call..
 
You're not the only one, I've been getting so many spam calls lately, that I often either don't answer or answer and hang up immediately. Sometimes when I do answer, I get nothing but dead air on the other end. At times it's someone trying to sell me a medical device, don't know where they get my number, as it's unlisted and I haven't bought any of those types of things at all. Then there's jokers who claim to be from the IRS trying to bully me into sending them money. It's crazy anymore, and that is on my landline. I hear some people get these spammers/scammers on their cell phones, and are actually being charged for the air time. :rolleyes:
 

Sea...don't you have system where you can register to stop nuisance calls on your landline? We have the TPS ... http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/index.html which will prevent the majority of calls getting through, only very rare randomly selected by a computer gets passed the TPS block.

Do remember if you answer your phone, even tho' you may immediately put it down again without saying a word the computer generated system that called you will register that your number is ''live'' and they will sell your number on to hundreds or even thousands of other cold calling companies
 
Those stray calls that get through are on a rotary. They start with the first number in whatever series and just keep dialing the next one up. And Holly is right about answering because they will absolutely determine it's a live number and sell it.

I don't have a land line, only my cell, so at least I get bothered a little less.
 
Oh, I do. We have an answer phone and when I identify them as cold callers I lift the phone and do a Blondie.
 
Nope, never. I have no use for the landline, I'd get rid of it but the wife can't let it go...

Anyone that wants to get a hold of me(family, friends,business) will call my cell phone.
 
I usually answer my phone. I do occasionally get a stray call or a wrong numbe, or a sales call - I just end the call quickly. My calls come on my cell (l have a landline but I turn the ringer off – only use that phone for outgoing if I'm expecting a call on my cell….and that’s rare.)

What REALLY exasperates me are people who have answering machines and never answer their phone. The screen all calls and sit and listen to messages, then call people they want to talk to. I don’t like the idea of hiding/dodging phone calls. I may be in the minority, but it just doesn’t sit well with me.

Also, I never hang up if I reach voice mail or an answering machine, or a wrong number. That is so rude.:mad: I leave a short message OR say ‘sorry, I misdialed’. I really don’t like it when people hang up if they reach my voice mail.

Many years ago there was a big brouhaha with several relatives – they kept dialing my number and hung up (at the time I had an answering machine). There was an important family situation which they should/could have told me about. But they kept calling and hanging up (I was at work and also out a lot at the time). They didn’t bother to just say “This is xxx, call me.” It evolved into quite a mess and there was anger and hurt feelings on both sides that took a long time to heal.
 
I'm on the do not call list and it's super helpful. I have free caller ID with my Comcast account but I don't have a caller ID phone.
 
Re: “Do not call” list, I’m on it, too. Unfortunately some sales calls still get thru. I’ve also gotten calls for someone who apparently had my phone number several years ago. I still don’t see it as a reason not to answer my phone. I see it as an occasional annoyance. Life is full of those. :shrug:

It’s understandable to not answer the phone when in the shower/bathroom, or if one has a pot of hot food in their hands, but many people just want to avoid certain people – then think of some excuse to give later.
 
One way we can avoid scammers is not to answer those calls you don't know. I usually ans calls that are locally dialed. I have yet to get one from police
saying I owe a fine and unless I mail money to an addr that they give me, I am going to jail. Or from the IRS. I would get all the info from caller to give to the police. These type of scanners prey on seniors. I am on the DNC list, but I still get unwanted calls. It may be time to renew my subscription. It seems that the unk callers are getting really frequent.
 
There are calls that come from offshore that start charging the person being called, they are VERY expensive, and they appear to come from US area codes. There are also threatening calls from scammers that I'm not the least bit interesting in accepting. The people who know me have my number and are in my directory; those are the calls that I answer. Otherwise, anybody who's legit and thinks they need to be in touch with me can email me or send me snail mail.

BTW, I wouldn't dream of dialing a wrong number and not apologizing for misdialing, nor would I hang up on an unanswered call that I initiated without leaving voice mail. My not answering unknown numbers isn't because I'm rude; it's because I'm cautious.
 
It's true, the do not call registry does not stop everything. I'll let my voice mail get many of my calls. I did pick up a call a few weeks ago and it was someone who had my name and stated they were calling from microsoft or some computer place. I stated back "no this is the ______ (made up name) residence" The guy stated he was sure he had the right number and person so I just repeated "no this is the ______ residence" and he ended the call. Hasn't called back.

I've also checked the last incoming call with my voice mail and then put the numbers in google and find a lot of people are getting calls from these numbers. Or sometimes the voice mail will say the number can't be identified.
 
I don't answer the phone unless I recognize the caller. I HATE advertising calls and I value my privacy. I don't enjoy spending a lot of time on the telephone, so I don't do it. I also have an answering machine, and I check it regularly to see if anyone I should call back has called.
 
I had a strange situation happen last year. A contractor and his helper had been scheduled to work on my sink/drain. He called to confirm, then I had to call him back to change the time.

A few days later my phone rang, and a woman said “Our phone shows you called this number”. I asked who she was, and I didn’t recognize the name right away. Then she said her husband was helping a plumber. I asked “And why are you calling?”

Pause.

She said “I just wanted to see if there was something I needed to follow up on.” :pfff: I replied “Well, now you’ve followed up. Goodbye.”

I hate it when suspicious spouses/partners have to check up on their partners by bothering other people. Ugh. :rolleyes:
 
The very few times my hubby answers the home phone,it's usally around tea/ dinner time, and you can bet your last dollar it's a scammer/ cold call.....He answers with City Mourge and they hang up ....
 
We are on do not call, yet we receive 5 to 6 calls daily. I have a air powered boat horn that I use on these callers. I had one solicitor call Thursday. Me, "You are interrupting my dinner!" Slime on the other end, "I will try to be quick then." I don't know how long he was there, I laid the phone on the counter and finished my supper
 
hollydolly said:
Sea...don't you have system where you can register to stop nuisance calls on your landline? We have the TPS ... http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/index.html which will prevent the majority of calls getting through, only very rare randomly selected by a computer gets passed the TPS block.

Do remember if you answer your phone, even tho' you may immediately put it down again without saying a word the computer generated system that called you will register that your number is ''live'' and they will sell your number on to hundreds or even thousands of other cold calling companies
Click to expand...

We have put our number on the Do Not Call list, that was years ago. I know it's better just not to pick up at all, have to work on that.
 
I had my phone number blocked and it helped. But a lot of calls were still getting through. The reason? Charitable organizations are exempt. I donate to several deserving groups which don't use telemarketing, but the sheer volume of calls was overwhelming.
 
I have my phone set so that it doesn't ring if the number isn't in my phone book. It goes straight to voicemail.
 

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