Call from "Unknown Name;" "Private Number."

I have been getting 'unknown' numbers calling me up to four times a day for months.  Now I get a call from a 'private' number.  If I don't answer, the 'unknown' will call within minutes.  I have tried ignoring them, I have tried answering the phone and letting it sit.  They have gotten to the point where they put me on hold when I do that.  I have answered the phone and screamed bloody murder, shrieked, clapped my hands.  It does not stop the harassment.  My kids get harassed the same way - one of which is UNDER AGE.  Isn't THAT illegal?!?  They never leave a voice mail.  I only have a cell phone, no land line.

I don't think any company should be allowed to be 'private' or 'unknown'.  I have been plagued with phishing scams for two years now.  The fact that they hit by ex-husband, both my kids, my dad, my roommate and lord knows who else with the same BS is a bit much.  Why can't the government track down these [***] and put a stop to them?  I am so sick and tired of these people getting away with harassing calls especially if it's harassing an under aged child.

Thanks, I agree.  Just tried again 4/08 17:44.  The only thing is, maybe we could figure out who it is if they stayed on the line long enough to register so we could try to return call.

Its never as simple as we want it to be.

Again, 4/8 at 19:10 PST from private caller, no message.

My husband had a call at 200 pm,  a man who couldn't speak english very well  started talking, my husband told him he wasn't interested. This person on the other line called my husband a idiot and said he wasn't selling anything and mumbled a bit more , my husband finaly told him that he was recording the conversation and do not call again, the guy hung up. What can we do to stop people calling me from unknown name and numbers????  Please

OMG, that's the funniest thing I ever read for dealing with unknown calls!!! I don't know if I'm techie enough to figure out a soundboard, but I can make fart sounds into the phone...hahahaha!

Oh brother...

The deal is this:  If someone wants your attention, they will ASK for it.  When someone is trying to 'get over on you,', they wait for the 'pick up.'

When someone leaves a 'hang up.' they aren't getting what they want.

Get it?

In the last 24 hrs. have had 5 calls showing as "Private Caller" starting at 10:00 AM 4/14 and made the mistake of answering phone 2 our of 5 times because my elderly parent also registers as private caller and the 2 times I answered, thought it might be from my parent.  This is really getting to be really kind of scary since we have no control over our own communication lives.  I never know when it is safe to answer my phone any more and I have had the same number for so long, disconnecting or changing isn't really practical.  What can we do, since we can't report something we can't identify?

i live with my grandparents and we always get these unknown calls on the caller id and they are downright annoying. and borderline harassing. i wish they would stop!

Private caller again 4/15 10:04 AM.

First off, it's a phone. You DON'T have to answer it because it happens to be ringing. If the call is legit, they'll leave a voicemail.  Otherwise, SILENCE your phone. It's okay. Have a default greeting. Never a voicemail that identifies you.  Remember, oh, back in the day before caller ID existed? And all we had were actual answering machines?  Just ignore it, and DON'T answer!

Yes,I remember and I don't answer anything I don't recognize PERIOD, anymore.  I won't turn it off because I do still receive legit phone calls, but it would be nice if we could do something to protect ourselves.  I say, thank goodness for caller ID but find it truly frustrating that the scammers, phishers, etc. are able to by-pass the laws by blocking their identity.

I received a call from an unknown number on my cell the caller asked for my husband when I said he wasn't available he stated my address he knew I was home alone and was coming to rape me. called my cell phone provider to see if there was a way they had the number so I could give it to the police. they said the only information they have is the same that I have on my phone. they told me how to block unknown callers but I want to find this number so I can report it to the police and have this person arrested. if anyone can help that would be great. its not fun being afraid in your own home even if you do have four dogs that would do anything to protect you.

Many people get calls from this and other unsolicited numbers.  What I don't understand is what do they have to gain?  Are they getting paid just by you answering the phone?  If they hang up, they are not selling anything.  I just don't get it.  When I see a call from an area code I don't recognize, I don't answer.  But this, too, has been going on for months.  I just wish I knew why they call.

So sorry for this horrible call.  I hope you do not receive this kind of call again.  Can you let us know what information you were given to block calls?  The "National Do Not Call Registry" does not work.  I have reported numbers over and over again with no results.