310-626-1674

The most common mistakes made by people who receive calls from unknown numbers:

Answering the phone.
Instead of answering, let the call go to voicemail or answering machine.  Legitimate callers will leave a message.

Pressing a number "to be taken off the list"    <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
That works for legitimate telemarketers, but legitimate telemarketers would not have called you in the first place, if you were on the DNC list.  Pressing a number on a call from a telespammer merely confirms you answered the phone.

Returning the call.
At best, returning a scammer's call merely confirms your phone is "live", and your number will be added to a list that will be used by even more scammers.  At worst, the call will cost you additional fees, if it is from a foreign country, such as Jamaica (876 area code).  Also, scammers are now spoofing Caller IDs, so the number you see may not really be the number that called you.  It might belong to an innocent, third party.

Arguing with the caller:
Call center employees have probably heard your argument many times.  They may either continue to try to scam you, or they will hang up ... but will also make sure some other scammer calls your number, later.

Blowing a horn or whistle into the phone:
Will irritate the scammer.  The scammer may then add your number as a "spoofed Caller ID", so others think YOU are calling them, and YOU may hear retaliatory horns or whistles if the irritated called person calls YOU back!

Forwarding the call to a government office.
Not too swift.  All that does is tie up a line at the govt office, and record YOUR number as the forwarding number!  Realize that your congress person knows phone scams are a problem, and also knows the FCC and FTC have been assigned the task of upholding the laws concerning this problem.  Instead, you should report the problem via normal channels to the FTC or FCC.

Giving the supposed scammer's phone number to other scammers.
May not be a good idea.  The 1st scammer might have used a spoofed phone number, and, if you give it to other scammers, all you are doing is causing more calls to and problems for an innocent person.

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What you SHOULD do:
If you are disturbed by frequent calls from scammers / spammers. obtain a call blocker app, device, phone, or service.  Google is your friend.  Remember, the Do Not Call list is effective for registered telemarketers, but scammers / spammers ignore that law.

Got the call from this number; didn't recognize it so hung up on them after the second ring.  Looked on 800Notes and confirmed these are just jerks!

According to what I've read here, over 3 pages, it sounds as though this number is calling to verify a working number. Whoever is calling, then adds it to lists they sell to more scammers. Best thing to do is NEVER answer calls from number you don't know, especially when it says something as fishy as TV Service.

Do NOT press any keys if you answer, it won't do anything. So just DO NOT answer.
If you have blocking capabilities, use it.

Excellent advice. Should be on page one.

Caller claimed to be from the "United States Solar Council Organization" was checking for eligibility for government incentives. Had 5 questions. Hung up when I asked him to wait while I looked them up on the Web.

"United States Solar Council Organization" > > > Didn't they secretly try and take over the 'Stargate'? Or were they a group from 'Sanctuary'?

Been getting these a few days now.  Caller ID says TV Service.  Been getting lots of other robo-calls too even though I'm on the do not call registry.  So much for that.

IF I answer, usually because my phone & caller ID aren't in the same location (dumb arrangement, I know) & they ask for me, I always say I'm not here, can I take a message. Blocking this one for sure.

They called. I didn't answer. They didn't leave a message. I blocked them.

I have another idea.
1. Don't get mad. Keep them on the phone as long as possible.  If you've got the time keep them occupied as long a possible.
2. If it's for solar or home remodeling, have them come out for an estimate (preferably during rush hour) to give you an estimate of whatever they are selling. Then tell them to go to hell when they get there.  Or tell them the landlord isn't interested. Don't you think that will take a little wind out their business model?

I really think your second suggestion is a very bad idea.  It's inviting trouble into your home.   If these people have no business ethics, who's to say they're not robbers, thieves or worse.  It's not worth putting yourself or family at risk.

Tried to invade my home with their scam twice today!  Keep calling you jerks--you're still blocked!

This # keeps calling doesnt leave a msg and if i answer they hang up I'm on the do not call list

Has anyone here signed up for AARP? They sell your number. I never had this much trouble until I got AARP. Will not be renewing.

Spam.  Asking 4 prequalified questions.  Sounds like sales with keyword "prequalified".  Asking is address correct, are you the homeowner, your electric company and how much the bill.  Guess they hung up before call was done because I was giving them creepy single word answer, lol.

I add a new number to my blocked list every week. When will this ever end? (Rhetorical) I get more of these phone trolls calling than regular calls.

These jokers have been blocked and yet have called 6 times in the last 20 days--what a pain!  They don't give up!  BEWARE!

Dear JAMES SMITH MICHAEL HARRISON,  so sorry to inform you that you've committed the primary error in shillary.  You've called attention to your lies.  By posting your nonsense, you've forced the regulars to "call  you out."  Not a good idea. Your first mistake was calling yourself the United States Council on Solar Energy.  There is NO such organization.  Secondly,  your grammar implies that you're using Google translate.  It's not working for you. Finally, you've had the opposite of your intended effect.  Now EVERYONE who comes to 800notes or googles "solar energy scam" is going to know you're a scammer.  Poor shilly, you "screwed the pooch" on this one.   You might want to look that up.

Informational Post

Consider getting a call blocking device or phone.. You can google them and many are around $40.00 or so. If its a cell phone, some already have call blocking, if not, there are free apps on the web that will work for some. You can google this. If you have a smart phone, there is a free app called call control. Iphones appear to have apps also. Another one is called Mr. Number.

Report your callers here, not just to the DNC alone:

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#&panel1-1
https://esupport.fcc.gov/ccmsforms/form1088.action
https://complaints.donotcall.gov/complaint/complaintcheck.aspx?panel=2

For text messages: forwarding any text message spam you get to the short code  “7726,” which spells “spam” on most phones, to alert your network operator to the abuse. ATT won't accept 7726 But they will accept BLOCK and return a message that the web site is blocked. forward the texts to 7726 or BLOCK, depending on your phone carrier.

By State DNC lists:
https://800notes.com/faq/state-do-not-call

FCC Abandoned Calls Complaint form:
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/1088D-R.pdf
email:  fccinfo@fcc.gov

To file complaints on Foreign company's:
eConsumer.gov: Report Your Complaint
E-mail: econsumerwb@ftc.gov

Received call, did not answer, no message left.