France with the best idea since supporting the Colonies..

I would at least like to see them ban location spoofing. I need to answer the phone for my job. I get so many spam calls showing from my area that are not at all from my area.

Make business list their name on caller ID, or at least show where the call is actually coming from.

I want to say it was DCD that recommended Active Armor. I downloaded that app and it reduced my spam calls probably 80%.

dorndawg said:

I want to say it was DCD that recommended Active Armor. I downloaded that app and it reduced my spam calls probably 80%.

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I can cosign this, it does a good job

The few I get are very few and very far between. I think the reason I don't get many is I have had a Google Voice number for years that I use as my phone number when I apply for a credit card, when I am buying a vehicle and the salesman insists on getting a phone number, when I order take out, if I buy a raffle ticket from an organization, when I buy tickets of any kind anywhere (even at MSU Ticket Office), etc etc etc. It is set 24/7 to "DO NOT DISTURB" so all calls and texts go straight to Voice Mail where Google translates the voicemail using AI and emails me the transcription of the voicemail. If I feel it vibrate I'll look down and read the email. I actually don't get very many calls on that number either and I think its because my voicemail there says something like "you've reached my voicemail because I'm busy or you aren't in my contacts. If you are a contact leave a message and I'll call you back, if you aren't a contact I'll call back only if you have a legitimate reason to call me" Most scammers don't bother to leave a message and don't call back because at that point they know I'm not answering anyway. I highly recommend GV, and its free if you are just an individual but $10/mo for a business line w/ more features. My actual cell phone # only goes out to friends and family

My favorites are when one makes it past ActiveArmor and it looks like it might be legit and then its somebody pretending to work for my company and I start talking to them like we're old friends, who do you work for, where are you, that sort of thing, and seeing how quick they hang up.

vhdawg said:

I can cosign this, it does a good job

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Active Armor is what AT&T uses as a free service for their phones. You can also download it in Google Play store

Xenomorph said:

It’s to the point if I don’t recognize the number there’s a good chance I’m not answering.

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More like 100% chance, for me.

I’m shocked that anyone answers a number that’s not in their contacts. I take the approach of seeing if they leave a voicemail. If they do, I can verify the number and save it for the future.

Perd Hapley said:

More like 100% chance, for me.

I’m shocked that anyone answers a number that’s not in their contacts. I take the approach of seeing if they leave a voicemail. If they do, I can verify the number and save it for the future.

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Same here. I just let my iPhone block unknown callers. What few do get through I ignore unless it's someone I know. If they leave a voicemail, I either call back or just delete it. Exception, when I'm expecting a call from a plumber, tree service, Dr. office, etc. I'll unblock unknown callers & will answer if it looks like it might be the call I'm expecting.

Here's my question. France or the USA or anybody can make all the laws they want about no number spoofing and listing your business name, but how are they going to enforce it for some spam call center in downtown Karachi?

Serious question. Do we even have old telephone lines anymore or is it all (VOIP) Voice over IP?

We just purchased a new construction home that the builder built as a spec. It’s hardwired for cable and telephone. I asked the builder why it was hardwired for telephone and cable and his answer surprised me. It’s his policy that if cable is offered in the area then he automatically wires it for cable and as far as the phone line, he said that it’s starting to trend that parents aren’t allowing kids cell phones at younger ages but do allow private phones so he just automatically wires every house for a landline.

Bulldog Bruce said:

Serious question. Do we even have old telephone lines anymore or is it all (VOIP) Voice over IP?

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Yes but they are expensive to maintain and unprofitable and companies would like to decommission that old copper as soon as possible.

Faustdog said:

I would at least like to see them ban location spoofing. I need to answer the phone for my job. I get so many spam calls showing from my area that are not at all from my area.

Make business list their name on caller ID, or at least show where the call is actually coming from.

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I feel your pain, brother. I own a plumbing business and i literally rely on this thing to eat. It’s the most annoying thing in the world to be on a job and a local number calls and I answer and it’s someone “with Google verification” wanting to verify my Google that’s been verified for 8 years.

Then, I’ll get a call from a Tulsa number and it’ll be an actual client.

Something needs to be done!

Dawgbite said:

We just purchased a new construction home that the builder built as a spec. It’s hardwired for cable and telephone. I asked the builder why it was hardwired for telephone and cable and his answer surprised me. It’s his policy that if cable is offered in the area then he automatically wires it for cable and as far as the phone line, he said that it’s starting to trend that parents aren’t allowing kids cell phones at younger ages but do allow private phones so he just automatically wires every house for a landline.

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The "cable" line is very useful for the old fashioned antennas (of which I have 2 on my roof) and their sales are supposedly going up every year because of cable/streaming prices going up every year and they are improved much over the old big ugly edifices as well that are not so good. I get 18 channels in Starkville and more if I'm willing to move the antenna around to a different position like my dad used to make me do when I was a small "Peeper"

As for the land line for a kid, that's pretty dumb. You can buy something like an OOMA (link below) that is a VOIP phone working over the internet line you already have in your house. Buy the OOMA or whatever one you decide on for a one time purchase that starts well under $100, a cordless phone and you are set. You only pay those stupid "Taxes" that you pay for in your regular phone bill.

They are old now but the "MAGIC JACK" has been around for a couple decades now and did ok when I had one of those years ago.

OOMA Landline

My theory on communication shifts over time (land line to e-mail to cell phone calls to text messaging to social media messaging to …..) is ENTIRELY based on people fleeing the place telemarketers are to a place where they’re not. And then when they catch up, we all create another medium.

The store gets called multiple times a day from someone wanting to help us with our Google listing (because they say our customers cannot find us). I have a few things I respond with depending on their first question. Its fun to mess with their script as they just do not have responses available. When im just sure it will be fun what are you wearing? Followed quickly with do you mind if I touch myself during this call.

Banning that stuff with do nothing, they are already operating out of reach.

BulldogBlitz said:

The store gets called multiple times a day from someone wanting to help us with our Google listing (because they say our customers cannot find us). I have a few things I respond with depending on their first question. Its fun to mess with their script as they just do not have responses available. When im just sure it will be fun what are you wearing? Followed quickly with do you mind if I touch myself during this call.

Banning that stuff with do nothing, they are already operating out of reach.

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I like to tell them I’m recording the call for training purposes.

jethreauxdawg said:

I like to tell them I’m recording the call for training purposes.

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Them: May we speak to the owner.
Me: yes, but i cannot put our owner on the phone unless he is speaking to your company's owner.