Huh. Well looks like the FTC is actually going to do something:
I hope for devestating fines that put them out of business, but I’m not counting on it.
Unfortunately around here Call Screen isn’t free (but I chose it as part of a package of calling features, so it doesn’t bug me too much - my other choices would have been much less useful). But in my case it seems to block anything other than unknown number (it can even block “private number” if you use the block last number option). It even blocks pseudo numbers like 0-000-000-0000. Very handy! The biggest problem with it is that you can only have 12 numbers on your call screen list.
The calls mentioned in the OP are most likely from an outfit that completely ignores the law. The phone numbers are spoofed - often enough if you try to call the number from caller ID, you’ll get a “not in service” message. I have several times punched 1 (or 0?) to get to a human, who happily assures me they won’t call again.
Until the next time (sigh). One time I tried telling the human that the calls were in violation of Federal law, and he argued with me. Saying that simply having a VISA card authorized them to contact me with marketing offers.
I’ve heard there’s one outfit in particular that is behind the “lower your credit card rate” and “car warranty” scams. Dunno if that’s true of course.
One page discussing these scumbags:
And another:
http://heatherwithaccountservices.com/
$50k is nothing to these guys right?
Here’s some good news:
I hope for someone to set them on fire. But I’m not counting on it. 
I have been plagued by telemarketing and spam emails for 4 years, since I tried to buy a drug for my dog’s heart condition. These people call 10 times per month. I tell them over and over again - YOU HAVE THE WRONG NUMBER, PLEASE STOP CALLING. They hang up on me and call again. I get several emails per day. They sell your personal information to other companies who just call and call.
Wait until the fake FDA agent calls start.
These spoofed caller ID robo-calls are difficult to stop, especially if your phone company doesn’t allow for selective call blocking, or severely limits the number of IDs you can block. *
A couple of years ago the number of these calls seemed to increase, so I slouched back a few technical years and purchased an external modem. Then, I installed PhoneTray Free. Since then I’ve been able to block as many specific numbers as I’d like, and for those numbers that follow a pattern, I can also block groups of numbers. All numbers using 000 as a prefix, for example, are automatically dropped after one ring.
Unfortunately, you have to let the phone ring at least once to give the caller ID info to come through, but once it does, the call can be dropped. Or, like I do, you can also instruct the program to produce a “no longer in service” message. The number of repeated robo-calls has decreased enough to where, if we get one every few months, I’m surprised.
It also helps with persistent charitable organizations, political offices, survey groups, and call centers-for-hire as used by groups such as the Fraternal Order of Police.
*We have Vonage and have zero complaints about their service; however, I’m fairly dismayed that, for a VOIP company, they don’t currently allow number blocking. I’d rather block numbers with them so that the calls never ring my house, but it is what it is, I suppose.
What about when the zombies start calling?
I agree. It’s ridiculous that Vonage doesn’t offer this service. I’d even be willing to pay an extra few bucks a month for it, although we really don’t have much of a problem with telemarketers and charity calls.
[Moderator Note]
mylevi, calls to action of this kind are not allowed on this message board. I have removed the part of your message promoting a campaign and the link that was included. Do not do this again.
From the Registration Agreement:
Bolding mine.
Other posters should note that this thread is over two years old.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator
not just zombies but zombie phonebots. double threat.
Another thumbs up for PhoneTray Free. I have it on both of my phone lines, and there is nothing more satisfying than hearing it zap another robodialer. The exchange blocking feature is great for collection agents who use a dozen or more numbers on the same exchange.
Since this thread is open again, I would like to let you all know about a free program called PhoneTray that I’ve been using for some time. If you have a modem in your computer, PhoneTray will log all calls coming into your land-line, and if you tell the program to do so, will “zap” (not allow to ring) all calls from any number that you choose. Very simple and flexible.
I’m using it on an XP computer - not sure if it’s compatible with 64-bit systems.
I see that Fear Itself and SkipMagic has beat me.
It is.