I have signed up with Do Not Call. I still get calls, though most of them are the computer calls. Usually I screen them out with my caller ID, but now and then, when I'm expecting a call, I answer before checking it.

Oh, YEAH! It's one thing when it's an occasional call now and then. But when it happens regularly, it's scary.

You can block calls without ID, but then legitimate callers know you're blocking.

I've reported a few numbers to http://whocallsme.com/

telemarketers and other cranks don't give you telephone numbers so how does this work? you can't exactly ask for their number and expect an answer. until i buy a new phone ( i mentioned that i dropped my phone on it's head ) i don't know who's calling and not everyone has caller id.

also, if legitimate callers know you're blocking, so what? if they're legit, you'll answer. no? i'm so technologically impaired!

I don't know if this gets rid of them but it sure irritates them: my answering machine sounds like I've actually answered the phone-

Hello (pause, pause, pause) leave your message after the beep.

It's too funny because you can hear the callers start talking right after my "hello" and then they get interrupted with the rest of the message. They end up hanging up.

There's a lawn service that calls 2-3 times a day and this went on for weeks. What was so funny is that they got caught in it every time. Finally, one day, the guy that called said "I hate your answering machine".

My family doesn't like my message so when they call I have to say, "Hi - it's me" so they know I'm not the machine.

i just got one from a charitable institution that we already give money to in check form. i don't contribute to anything by computer. this is one that we have told many times to stop calling. today when they called, i hit # several times and the woman said "how rude!". then i hung up. so that doesn't work does it?

this is great----can't wait 2 use it---and will b passing it on---thanx !!!!

If you have caller ID (and these days if you want almost any extra service, it automatically comes in the same "package"), then the caller's phone number and identity automatically show on the little screen on your phone. I guess if your phone is so old it doesn't have a screen, you won't be able to see anything.

There are exceptions. Some numbers are part of a phone system where they show as Unavailable. Sometimes people deliberately block the number they're calling from, like a teen who's supposed to be studying math at Jessica's house but is really over at Ryan's working on her night moves. or telemarketers, stalkers, exes of all sorts, etc.

You can block your number by pressing *67 before dialing.
You can block reception of blocked calls by pressing *77. Callers will be given the option to unblock their numbers when calling you.
For more star codes: http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/tele...odes-guide.htm

If you block reception of calls from blocked numbers, you may miss calls from people in those business phone networks, if they can't unblock their calls. Sometimes you actually want to hear from a business, such as your insurance company when you've filed a claim.

Some people think you're paranoid if you block reception of blocked calls. I am job hunting right now, and one of the best recruiters I work with stopped working with me for a while because he works from home a lot and doesn't want his home number showing up. Good reason. I personally think he's paranoid, because he won't leave a message even when he's calling from the office. If I don't get to the phone in time, I can see by the number that he called from the office, but he will not talk on tape. So he's a fugitive from the FBI, but he's still a good recruiter.

I blocked my calls last year during the election. My, the peace and quiet after the campaign callers couldn't get through was wonderful!

No, I don't always answer if I see it's a legit caller. Sometimes I don't want to talk to someone. I don't even bother answering when I see it's the library's computer calling to say a book is in or the doctor's office computer calling to remind me of an appt. Waste of time. Sometimes I don't feel like chatting right then, so I'll call back later.

Anyone ever get a call from a collection agency for someone else's debts? I used to get so upset over these. You know, I'd answer and they'd ask for Joe Schmoe, and I'd say they have the wrong number. And they'd always insist that I was lying! That he really lived at my number and I'm covering for him. And I'd swear that it had been my number for a week, or five years, whatever it was and that I'd never heard of him 9the truth), and they wouldn't believe me. And there was no way I'd give them my own name and address to prove it.

So now I just have fun with them. Whatever strikes my fancy to say at the moment. Not that I get many of these calls, but I've had several over the years.

When we were in college, many years ago, our phone number was one off from a pizza delivery place. We'd get calls all night long from drunk kids, so we just got to where we took their order and told them we'd be there in 45 minutes. Most of the calls came in after the pizza place had closed. I did call the pizza place after the first call to tell them what I'd done, and the owner just laughed and said it wasn't hurting his business any and keep it up. They hated delivering to drunks anyway...bad tippers and usually rude to the delivery guys. After a few months, we gave up and had our number changed.

Your suggestions are hilarious and (I hate to admit it) something that I intend to do in the future. LMBO :) :)

Some great ideas - all those things really annoy me! But here in France; I often get telemarketing calls from a computerised voice!!!! That really hacks me off! If i get a human i just pretend i can't speak French and eventually they go away. My DH is really into it though and quizzes them about the 'offer' to the nth degree, all the terms and conditions etc, til in the end they just give up. :mrgreen: