Ineffective methods to stop scam/spam calls.

I think you miss the point that way too many people do NOT realize they shouldn't pick up calls from unknown numbers. That's one of the reasons this forum exists: to educate them, to inform them of a better way to deal with scammers than answering and screaming of swearing at them or asking them over and over to stop calling.

There will never be a stop to this; there will always be innocent people who are unaware of the widespread scamming by telephone that's going on. If it takes saying the same thing over and over, that's what it will take. If even one person learns from it then it's good. It's not condescension. If you infer it is, that says something about your own frame of mind.

I thought William's response to you was condescending.  But, now so are you.  Good luck with all your identifying and reporting.

Here's another one I didn't see mentioned: "Asking to speak to the caller's supervisor" while engaging on the phone with a bogus caller.  I don't know where folks get the idea to do this (I wouldn't even do that on a legitimate call!).

There is no 'supervisor!'  The callers we're talking about are criminals or spamming telemarketers, and they all have one goal - scaring or talking you into giving away your money for nothing.  If you ask to speak with a 'supervisor,' all you're going to get is another person who wants to rip you off and who, probably, is even more skilled at manipulating you on the phone than the original caller was!

Slim's list in the original post is right-on and includes everything that you should know when dealing with *any* callers on the phone.  The best practice is to use CallerID, do not answer unknown callers, and, if you want, use a message recording system to screen calls - then BLOCK repeat callers, if you want.  You can choose whether or not you let your telephone service dominate your emotions and time.

Ohhhhh a big nasty TCPA Letter of Demand.  So are you out to cleanse the World of Telemarketers or to line your own pockets?  So Public Spirited you are!

Maybe you heard about “Suing Telemarketers for Fun and Profit” from an ad in the back of a tabloid while at the supermarket?  God bless you, your silliness might help some law firm’s cash flow without endangering justice.

What were your actual damages?  Can you prove them?  (btw - Sleepless nights don’t go for much these days).  Phone rang and you were so upset you burned the toast?  4 Slot toaster? You gonnna be Rich!!  Bad hair day?  Stubbed toe? Maybe.  You might try the reliable “I was turned into a Newt” when you get to court or for a settlement conference.

You might want to check the records, the actual recorded judgements in your state.  The interwebs will lie unless you are better at legal research than I think you are.  Or look on the interwebs (I know you will) and do a good search.  Did you see that there is more and better quality information for businesses that are fighting TCPA demands made by private parties?  Read more and you will see why most of those TCPA demand cases die on the vine.  Hopeless amateurs like you lose interest. The delays and subordinate costs will beat you right down.

Your efforts, unless funded, are not even at the nuisance level.  If on the chance you can afford the time and money to advance your case, you will thoughtfully clog up a Court’s and Judge’s time on a $4 damage suit and say you won a moral victory, struck a blow for your phone use rights.  It is at the point of wasting a Court’s time that you are screwing with your neighbors.  The real needs of the few v needs of the many.

I contend you are changing nothing.  You came to this site with an axe to grind. You insult a couple of people, try to pick a fight or two and leave no wiser than before.  Outstanding!

Oh lassie, you didn't ask for advice?  But you came back expecting it or a least a reply?  Are you partaking of the blarney stone there lassie?  Or have you just spent too much time on a pub stool?

Here's one of my examples of ignoring annoying telephone calls:  A 'legitimate,' known medical debt collection company started leaving messages to call them back with their reference number.  They were trying to collect a debt.  I had had recent medical bills but none left unpaid.  The collection company never sent a bill - just the voice messages a few times a week, never naming exactly who they were looking for.

Under those circumstances, I didn't know anything about the debt they were trying to collect and felt that I was unable to help them in their efforts.  So, I didn't call back or respond in any way.  Soon, the messages and phone rings got annoying, so I blocked their number from ringing my phone or leaving their message.  Still no bill arrived in the mail, and nothing showed on my credit report.

Eventually, about five years later, the debt collection company stopped calling.  If I had spoken with them on the phone, it would have been a world of aggravation for no reason for some length of time.

Remember, if it's NOT IN WRITING it doesn't exist!  And, you're not obligated talk to anyone, or identify yourself, or answer questions, or explain anything on the telephone to *anyone*, if you choose not to - and that includes not even to law enforcement, the courts, or any government agency!  Your phone is at your service - not for the caller's service!

Fvah-udt?  Do you understand this, when you pay for my communications devices, then you may dictate how they are used on my ship! Until then, they belong to us and will be used as is proper for those of us who do own them.

As has been pointed out - each one has his or her methods of dealing with their communications devices. No amounts of insults will change this. I believe the saying is to each his or her own! Ssuaj-difv?

And where have I seen you helping humanity here in the various threads of forum and numbers ?  Are you then full of  descaey Jaeih & llhrei'sian?  Do you but go,  let others alone to do what the elements tell them to do and go do what the elements be praised, say for you to do!

Stop acting the nei'rrh to those who wish to do otherwise then what you want them to!

I thought this was about ineffective ways of stopping calls from unfamiliar numbers.

For many changing your number might be the perfect solution. But then you could end up with calls from companies looking for people that are not you. When it comes right down to it, changing your number is a gamble.

I've never used the "bury my head in the sand" defense when dealing with telephone terrorists. I answer, ask as many questions as they'll answer make complaints online, file complaints with BBB's, FTC, CFPB, and State Attorney General's. I have had good luck stopping local businesses, survey companies, charities, fundraisers, and others to stop their calling but you have to find out who's calling. Yes, there have been times that I took multiple calls to find out who was calling but I'm as persistent as they are. Works well when dealing with unprofessional and unethical debt collection calls also!

I can relate to this scenario. I changed my number after receiving calls from the same number throughout the entire and ended up with calls from debt collectors.

I just people would stop criticizing one another for how they handle these calls. Like I said, live and let live.

Now this post cracked me up!! Omg to TRUE AND FUNNY AS HELL....NOW if i get a call i dont know it goes straight to voice mail but isnt a message, it is Music with Metallics ,the whole song plays..lmao, they never call back.If they do its straight .over to music they stop

This Joe Tex song might be more apropos (first 20 seconds) :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9xD_sdLeHw
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