What people don't realize about this site.

You can complain all you like in here but telling a number not to call you again or trying to let them know in here that you're on the DNC list in here does you no good. Most often with the exception of those scammers trying to convince you that a scam site is a real one do not know anything about this site and don't check in on a regular basis.
Replies like "DO NOT CALL ME AGAIN!" does no good at all. We regular members don't know your phone number so how could they if they came in here?
Just a little food for thought.

Sadly, the proliferation of posters here who demand that the calls stop, and even give their phone numbers, is ample evidence of why phone scams are so successful. The regulars here are internet- and scam-savvy, but there are still so many people who have no idea how to ascertain the use of a site like this or even use Google effectively. It's no wonder they fall prey to scams or give our their phone numbers and other personal information to any website that asks and then can't understand why they're bombarded with calls or have money stolen.

The best we can hope for is to keep reminding them of the site's purpose, keep giving them proper information and what to do and what not to do, and outing the trolls who like to slink around. I still shake my head at the number of people here who say things like, "I called the number back and it was disconnected. That's impossible," or "How can they call from India when long distance is so expensive?" For regulars, caller ID spoofing and Voip are basic concepts. For too many others, we might as well be speaking in Martian when we discuss them.

Those poster are dwarfed by the:
"My name is Blah Blah, from 1313 somewhere street, some-town&state. My phone number is blahblah, and my SSN is blahblah. I keep getting calls from people who know all of my personal info, how do they get it? Please reply to my email, blah@blah.blah on how to stop them"

I've seen that too and thought it was strange. I especially like it when people think that because the number is listed on this site that this is where the call is coming from. Oh do calm down really. I just block the calls and get on with my day.

Don't  you want to smack some of these people?  Just want to scream "DUH! Stop giving your information on the internet if you don't want to be contacted!"  

Not yelling at anyone, but really, the stupidity of some people is amazing

Also unhelpful are posts that just say "I never answer these calls!"  Unless you have information about the caller, you are not adding to the discussion. As for bragging about being so clever as to blow a whistle, that works two ways--they have your phone number, you don't have theirs.

Seems we know the simple rules like if you don't know the number, don't call back. If a solicitor or listed here, block it. Etc. I admit I have friends who complain and I tell them to look it up on 800notes and it's like, "that means I would have to do something, it's easier to just complain." In addition to the dummies out there.
Speaking of which, if your convo contains phrases like
“I don’t mean to be rude...”
“I don’t mean to be racist...”
“I don’t mean to be insulting...”
" I don't want this to be confused with the horrific crimes of the Nazis."
Best to just STFU!

I read what seems to be a reasonable way to deal with callers.  Answer the call - say nothing else - lay down the phone (with the open line) and go about your business.

I paid into the DO NOT CALL list many years ago, at least 15 or so.  It doesn't work PERIOD no matter where you post it.  Just another government band aid on a mortal wound.  These people call and spoof numbers, sometimes from overseas.  There is no way to track them down.  One thing you can do is ask where to mail the check and then send a cease desist letter warning that you are retaining an attorney.  That works.

Then why are you on this forum Mr. Smarter than everybody else?  Is you tube down?

I agree :)

The DNC list DOES work.
It does stop legitimate telemarketing calls.
It is enforced.
It has resulted in billions in fines and federal action taken against the violators.

Stop signs DO work.
Law abiding people will stop.
It is enforced.
It has resulted in mutli-billions in fines and legal action taken against the violators.

Both are still ignored by criminals.

Shall we remove both "band-aids"?

Actually I love this site.  Without it I would be wondering if I was missing an important call.  I look up a number here and straight away I can tell if its a loser calling me or something I might want to pick up the next time the phone rings.  I love it!

Great point! Knowing is better than not knowing......

How do we get people to realize that what they see on their caller ID is probably fake, in these cases? I see people reporting who the call came from (probably an innocent bystander whose number has been hijacked by the scammer) and thinking they're doing a good thing.

It's tedious but thanks to copy and paste it's not too hard to repeat the same messages over and over. I guess if even one person learns what's going on, then we've done a good thing. It does get discouraging to read messages like emily ann's, about how the DNC is a waste of time, because it shows she really does not understand how these scams work. Again: just keep repeating the truth, like DaFox did, and maybe she and others like her will learn.

I come here to try to educate others. Ironically, although my (cell) phone was "ringing off the hook" (I know: cell phones don't have hooks. It's an expression! :) ) since I installed the call blocking app CALLER ID the calls have dropped to fewer than once a week, and even then they get pre-tagged as Probable Spam, and the caller gets a "quick hangup" instead of even going to voice mail.

Anyway, keep up the work, people. It's a big world to educate!