# Do not call lists **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 17, 2021, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-lists/940218 "2021-04-17T19:58:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-lists/940218/21 "2021-04-18T03:51:49Z")
My husband has a cheapo flip-phone that has no ability to block telephone numbers. Every day for well over a week now he has been getting texts from the same number trying to sell medical insurance. It’s one thing to not answer a phone, it’s another to get texts which come through no matter what. Some people have to pay for their texts, fortunately we are on a plan where we don’t, but we still have to delete them. A minor but very annoying annoyance. I would like to do something unpleasant to whomever is sending these texts, which I assume will now continue forever until he gets a different phone. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-lists/940218/22 "2021-04-18T05:10:41Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > I have heard anecdotally that “Do not call” lists are used to identify people who have low sales resistance and are easy marks, making them a valuable resource. The fact is that most of the cold calls you get are not coming from the United States and there’s no way for the “Do not call” penalties to be applied The first part is not true. The second part it, however. There are robocall blockers, they kinda work. However, unless you have done business with them, never ever push 9 or whatever " to be taken off our list" or whatever. That indeed just means a real person is there. Do not answer the phone. No, not even to screw with them. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-lists/940218/23 "2021-04-18T05:11:56Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > The OP should try NoMoRobo. I have it on my landline and it hangs up on about 90% of the calls on the first ring. Then never answer any number you don’t recognize. If it is legitimate the caller will leave a message. NoMoRobo is free for land lines, there is a charge for mobiles. Yes, good ideas. ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-lists/940218/24 "2021-04-18T07:20:10Z")
I had a robocall once and the spoofed number was my own phone number. I was tempted to answer just to see what I was calling about. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-lists/940218/25 "2021-04-18T10:56:28Z")
> [@Dereknocue67](#): > > I had a robocall once and the spoofed number was my own phone number. I was tempted to answer just to see what I was calling about. - Next time, put yourself on hold and see how long it takes for yourself to figure out you’re not coming back. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-lists/940218/26 "2021-04-18T10:59:49Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Do not answer the phone. No, not even to screw with them. I do, every time. For me, it’s entertainment. I only get 3-5 calls a _month._ I wonder why others seem to get so many a day. What am I doing wrong? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![stosh1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@stosh1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh1)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-lists/940218/27 "2021-04-18T11:42:59Z")
I really like this answer. ---
**Author:** ![stosh1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@stosh1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh1)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-lists/940218/28 "2021-04-18T11:44:13Z")
I really like this answer ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-lists/940218/29 "2021-04-18T17:10:09Z")
They will add you to more list and you will get more calls. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-lists/940218/30 "2021-04-18T17:12:31Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > They will add you to more list and you will get more calls. - That hasn’t happened over the past couple of years. Right now, the only scam calls I get are the Marriott/Hilton travel scams. I haven’t had the fun ones in a long time. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2021, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-lists/940218/31 "2021-04-19T01:06:45Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > It’s also entirely possible that those that are calling you are doing so from overseas, and only spoofing US numbers to make them seem legitimate. I get scam calls almost every day that have US numbers that are clearly fake. It is often in my area code and exchange to make me think it’s someone in my area. Last week the caller ID said “Bank of America” and when I picked it up it was a robocall that told me that I had bought three iPads on my Amazon account and to stay on the line if I didn’t order them. I stayed on the line and the guy was obviously in a boiler room in India. I asked him why Amazon was calling me from a Bank of America phone number and he told me to go fuck my sister. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2021, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-lists/940218/32 "2021-04-19T01:50:44Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > I asked him why Amazon was calling me from a Bank of America phone number and he told me to go fuck my sister. An unusual Amazon suggestion… ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2021, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-lists/940218/33 "2021-04-19T01:52:51Z")
I’ve always felt that was one of Jeff’s subtexts. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-lists/940218/34 "2021-04-20T05:19:41Z")
The Robokiller service uses answer bots. You can listen to one of them here: > **[Introducing custom Answer Bots: The revenge on telemarketers you’ve been...](https://www.robokiller.com/blog/custom-answer-bots)** > > “I don’t mind getting spam or telemarketing calls," said no one, ever. Or here if you scroll down enough: > **[The Text & Spam Call Blocker App That Actually Works | Robokiller](https://www.robokiller.com/)** > > Block 99% of spam calls and texts with the leading spam call blocker app. Create a world without spam calls and get some sweet revenge along the way! They have a You-Tube channel: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ce-z6s8upnY/hqdefault.jpg "RoboKiller App 🤖— 'Rich People Problems' Answer Bot Needs Your Opinion 😂") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce-z6s8upnY) ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-lists/940218/35 "2021-04-20T21:41:33Z")
I don’t know if it still exists, but a long time ago I read about an app that allowed you to play those three tones the phone company plays before the “The number you have dialed is not in service” message. That was supposed to cause the robocaller bot to mark your number as not in service. ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2021, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-lists/940218/36 "2021-04-21T00:06:34Z")
_“app that allowed you to play those three tones the phone company plays before the “The number you have dialed is not in service” message.”_ That’s a feature used on “[PhoneTray Pro](https://www.phonetray.com)” - a Windows program that works with your installed modem and a landline. I’ve been using this for years and it works great. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2021, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-lists/940218/37 "2021-04-21T00:22:28Z")
I think it was actually the TeleZapper I was thinking of, a hardware device you connected to your landline. But I would expect by now someone must have created an app that does the same thing. > **[TeleZapper](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TeleZapper)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > The TeleZapper is a device designed to reduce the number of telemarketing-related phone calls a household receives by imitating the tone signal normally played by a phone company to indicate a line has been disconnected. The Telezapper was created by Privacy Technologies, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. > Telemarketing companies typically use predictive dialers to place many calls simultaneously. When the equipment detect... ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2021, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-lists/940218/38 "2021-04-21T16:09:38Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > It’s _always_ spoofed. They’re calling from out of the country. They’ll eventually need to find a new way to spoof. Our landline is through Comcast/Xfinity, which has started verifying that the number displayed is legit. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-lists/940218/39 "2021-04-29T18:49:17Z")
They’ve noticed we’re ignoring the phony numbers now. Today I have received calls from, SCTSDL CITY GOV (at 6:30am), UNKNOWN MAME, WIRELESS CALLER, UNKNOWN NAME, and CALIBRUS. I googled the last one and it is a real company in Phoenix, but they’re an inbound call service mainly for physicians so far as I can make out. I’ve accepted a couple and there’s been three seconds of silence then a hangup. Maybe the equipment is waiting for me to say something. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-lists/940218/40 "2021-04-29T20:08:29Z")
I’ve gotten Wireless Caller and Unknown Name for years. Actually when my daughter calls from her cell, it says wireless caller and gives her number, so the spoofed number might be one the phone system knows is wireless. If I do answer a suspicious one I don’t say anything, since if it is a person they’ll start talking, while a machine will think it got a bad number or something. Has worked well. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-lists/940218.md?page=1)