Do these call blockers really cut down on scam calls (eventually)??

I am wondering if the many brands of advertised call blockers really help with cutting down on scam calls. I am considering getting one, but have heard that telemarketers just figure out how to work their way "around" them.

I guess what I really want to know is - once you get one and give it a few months to start a working list of blocked numbers, does your actual phone number end up getting sold to less of these scam artists? Maybe eventually not getting any calls at all? Or do they just keep calling you and selling your number to others regardless of whether they are able to get through or not?

I don't want to spend the money on getting one unless it will eventually be worthwhile.

Thank you for any advice.

I am especially asking since I have already gotten scam calls from 8 different "companies" today all of the sudden out of the blue.

I have an old call blocker I've used for years and it has cut down on the number of unwanted calls significantly.    Wouldn't dream of being without one.

I got a call blocker last week.  I was getting 8 calls a day from Jamaica, some very early in the morning (5 AM).  There are several ways to block calls with the device.  Ahead of time you can block an entire area code which is what I did for Jamaica.  When they call, there is a short ring, the device recognizes the area code and then the call is cut off.  I now get 2 calls a day from them.  I don't bother to get up to answer my phone unless there is a second ring. I'm hoping they will eventually give up entirely.

Another way to block a call is during the call.  You hit the big red button on the device and the number is forever blocked.  Very satisfying!

There are other types of numbers you can block ahead of time:  all "international/out of area callers", all "VOIP/Unavailable" callers, all "O" type calls, last number and all "withheld/Private" callers.  It also comes pre programmed with 200 known rogue telephone callers.

Check it out at Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/CPR-Call-Blocker-V202-Capacity/dp/B00GZM6FBU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408996803&sr=8-1&keywords=call+blocker  The $80 cost seems reasonable.  I could get call blocking from AT&T for $8.00 a month plus activation fee so I will break even on the cost in less than a year and won't have a reoccuring cost.

I guess I'm still confused about how these callers got my number on their lists in the first place?!?

I've looked up all of the numbers that have called me today (with the help of this site) and all of them are some sort of scam. Why did they all just call me for the first time today? I am assuming my number somehow got on a new list of "active numbers" that was sold to different telemarketers and they started using it as of today. I mean I've had the same phone number for 16 years and up until today,I would maybe five to ten unknown calls a year. Now, to 8 new ones in one day! And it does not seem to be the same scammer calling me from 8 different spoofed numbers.

I know from research on this site, that the best advice is to let the unidentified numbers go to my voicemail, and to NEVER call them back. I guess a call blocker is my next step?

The problem lies mostly with the fact they change numbers, not so much with some, but others do frequently. Some are used repeatedly though the scam itself may change.  Yes, they will cut down. You can block by area code as well as number - up to 1500. Newer models are also saying they can block private and unknown name & number calls now also I noticed.  

Personally I see it as a bonus that can pay for itself when compared to the relatively few numbers allowed with the phone service providers that cost monthly.  You can also get a phone with call blocking, but at this point, they don't hold as many numbers as devices do.

>> I am wondering if the many brands of advertised call blockers really help with cutting down on scam calls.  <<

Yes, I definitely believe so.
They most definitely stop =repeated calls from the same number=. At most, you will hear one ring, and then the blocker will block the call.

The hardware or app types of blockers will not stop "first time callers" not in your blacklist.  You have to add those numbers to your blacklist.

There is a service (mentioned elsewhere in this forum) that claims to stop most robocalls, but not all phone providers support that service.

Recommend you take the time to read the manuals for the types of call blockers in which you are interested, BEFORE buying one.  Suggest you get one with:
* a large memory or capability to block lots of numbers
* easy way to add numbers to the blacklist
* ability to block entire area codes or partial phone numbers

You might find one with a "whitelist" ... blocks all numbers EXCEPT those in your whitelist.

Personal observation:
I have a couple hundred blacklisted numbers in my blocker.  Those numbers VERY seldom call again (according to my log).  In fact, I get relatively few "new" scam numbers as well ... maybe the bad guys share that info as well.

Thank you to all above posters! I appreciate the help!

I have called my phone company and they only provide a service that blocks up to 12 numbers. I've gotten another "scam" call since my first post (making NINE scam callers now), so if I pay for the service from my phone company, I'm already almost wasting my time and money.

And that other "unnamed" service that claims to block callers is not currently available in my area. So that won't help me.

I guess I'm going to have to bite-the-bullet and make an investment in a call blocker.

Anyway, thanks again everyone!

In many cases, you are just being called randomly.  The scammers often use auto-dialers that can run through an entire area code calling one number after another.  They do not care how many numbers they call; all they want is for someone to answer and fall for their scam.  The fact that you received such a large number of calls in one day is most likely coincidence.

As for myself, I use a call blocking program on my PC that works pretty well in blocking the calls and it allows me to block entire area codes.  I no longer receive calls from the District of Colombia area and several parts each of the States of Washington, Florida and California.  Unfortunately the version of the software I use is no longer available from the company that produced it.

The hardware blocker that Sharon describes would probably serve you well, but look around; you may find something that you like more.  And then again, this sudden surge in calls might just be a fluke and tomorrow you may be back to less than one unknown call a month.

I keep thinking of something my dear lady said recently about observing primates living behind iron bars and glass walls at the zoo. Chimps in particular, the most bratty and unruly of the apes and the ones most like humans, make it a personal mission to test every bar, every lock, every door, every crevice, every possible weakness in their mini-fortress. They do this repeatedly for days and weeks and months and never give up.

I'm found repeating that call blocking is an arms race. There are more discarded and obsolete call block gadgets in recent memory than those in use now. The enemy gets shut out, they adapt, we try another strategy, they adapt again, new technology changes the rules, the measures and countermeasures and responses continue. The fraud-peddling monkeys will keep trying to call us no matter what we build to stop them.

Nuisance call management at a tech level is a personal choice with multiple approaches. We have standalone devices, software for PCs and mobiles, VOIP account "rule" features, and internet filtering services. People have to choose the methods which suit their needs and patience. You can make a very careful selection of hardware if that's your way, and it may help quiet your phones, but don't think of it as one-stop shopping. The frauds are using multiple attack vectors; it follows that no single response can beat them all.

I used the term "strategy" before, and strategic thinking is key to my own methods. But rather than wait for intrusive calls, I take privacy protection steps to prevent the lawbreakers from calling me in the first place. Those which still reach me get, whenever possible, reported to authorities, swatted with cease-comm letters, and named as my defendants. I'm pleased to report there's something I'm doing right, since annually I can count my inbound illegal sales calls on two hands -- pause for effect -- without the use of any call blocking.

But then I'm very hands-on with control of my personal data and my communications. Others may not have the same luxury or disposition. If you put a call blocker in play, there is no question it will help, with the proper care and feeding. The questions as with all approaches are how much, how often, how well, and for how long. There is no one who can answer those reliably for you. Again, personal choice for personal circumstances, a choice which invariably rests on the kind of compromise you're willing to endure.

Years ago I moved to another city & decided to get a new number, from a 3rd party provider. As soon as the line was connected the junk calls started at 7am & went through the day. Anywhere between 10 & 20. It seems my new number belonged to a debtor & the collectors were calling. So - this is not for everyone, but here's what I did:
(1) Got a voip phone line & switched all banking, utility (& whenever asked for) over to that number.
(2) Set up PhoneTray Free & an old Windows XP computer, with a very clever call blocking sound file I made. I blocked every area code & 'whitelisted' (alowed) numbers to ring as needed.
I have gone for weeks without getting a junk call, but find they come in bunches. As others have mentioned, scammers hit an area code & blanket it from 000 to 999. I am realistic & know that I will never be 100% junk call free. Myself, I measure success in never having the same number call twice. So find something that works for YOU, & as kitchen gadget guru Ron Popeil's says - 'Set it & forget it!'

I just got the tel-sentry, and its working very well.   It forces callers to enter a 0 - which blocks most machine calls right off the bat.   The phone rings once - then I decide to pick it up or not.   They can not leave a message.   I can put the number on the white list, or black list.   White list rings through, can leave message - black list, I don't ever hear from again.   9999 numbers on black list, so it'll be a long time before its full.   Yes, I still get one ring, but total control after that.   Usually 80 bucks, I just got it for 40 with free shipping.   I'm loving it, nice and quiet!

100% on with this!  After hundreds of junk calls to my home number and the very reason I found 800notes to start with, I installed phonetray at least five years ago and slowly trained it for my particular brand of calls. First I started with the non-spoofed common numbers that would endlessly call. From there, on to the fake area codes or numbers that were more/less than seven digits or even just symbols like   - - - - - - -.  Next, on to keywords in the caller-id: Merchant, Credit, Benefits, Payroll, Donation etc.  After that, cities that would constantly come up where I had no association with, usually small towns or suburbs in states far away. The phonetray history, searchable and sortable helped me find the troublemakers that eluded all filtering. It did take a number of years but its now stopped the intrusive calls by maybe 98%

I moved to voip only a year and half ago. The voip company had additional filters to totally block the problem callers like local numbers or ones coming up on the caller-id as completely blank. In this case, I did a *67 which assigns a default number that originates from the voip company itself. Now, the home phone (and business line which also has its own watered-down phonetray) are much more quiet.

Its very easy to set up. An old desktop or laptop with a dial-up modem and an unused phonejack or in my case, voip box.

It occurred to me that perhaps the robocalls are initiated by phone service providers and/or phone blocking machines or services as a lure to get someone to buy such products. Such purchases would increase use or purchase of same.  Additionally, these companies/telcos are the ones who most likely have the technology to defeat the service/devices they peddle.

That idea has been floated and sunk before. There isn't nearly enough profit in the development and sale of call management gadgets to inspire collusion with the sources of illegal sales calls. Telcos are meantime operating under a mandate to not act without instruction to interfere with the traffic they carry.