• @CADmonkey
    link
    5611 months ago

    It’s because scammers have basically ruined an entire method of communication, and the FCC is just OK with it.

  • Capt. Wolf
    link
    4011 months ago

    My experience with scam callers has been that if you pick it up, they will keep calling because they flag your line as live. At one point, back when I’d answer and threaten to report them, it would be at least one call an hour, every single day. Since I stopped picking up, I rarely get calls anymore unless there’s a data leak with a company I use. Then I’ll see a little ramp up for a month or two before it dies down again.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      English
      1911 months ago

      If you pick up but mute instantly and wait for them to hang up, they will flag it as a data line and never call again.

  • Jim
    link
    fedilink
    2911 months ago

    If I don’t get a text or voice-mail right after the missed call, that’s how I know it was a scammer. If someone really wants to contact me they’ll try option B

  • FARTYSHARTBLAST
    link
    fedilink
    28
    edit-2
    11 months ago

    This is one step more than I do: If someone calls me there is a 99% chance it’s spam so I never answer. If they do not leave a voicemail, I am 100% not calling them back.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    2111 months ago

    One time I got 3 calls over the course of two days from a number my phone identified as “Scam Likely” and then a text from my friend saying “I put you down as a reference for a job at the Department of Defense can you call them back?”

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    1711 months ago

    I googled one once after it left an obvious scam voicemail which led me to the virtual phone number providers site. I looked at reporting it on the FCCs website, but reporting there is a PIA. You have to fill out a big form to create a report. The virtual number providers site had it’s own report page which took 2 seconds to fill out. Later that day I got an email saying they take it seriously, it’s a Google voice number or something and they’re opening an investigation. The next day I get an email saying they concluded their investigation and the number was disconnected and the account terminated. It was kinda satisfying, though I doubt it impacted the scammer much.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    1511 months ago

    Never, ever answer a call to your cell phone that you don’t expect. If it’s legitimate they will leave a message.

  • circuitfarmer
    link
    fedilink
    1411 months ago

    Surely this person “Scam Likely” has some very important info for me

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    1111 months ago

    It’s probably my phone number, I get endless people phoning and saying they have a missed call. I presume it’s scammers faking my number

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      511 months ago

      For a while I got relatively frequent calls like “Congrats, you won the lottery! Am I speaking to [insert name]?” – “No.” – “In that case I’m sorry, we got the wrong number. Have a nice day.”

      It wasn’t always lottery but always the same name. Guess he sometimes forgot a digit swapped them or something.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    1011 months ago

    Is there any legit phone number look up sites? Pretty much all Google and Bing results are just spam.

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        711 months ago

        Just tried it. Those fake loading bars aren’t a great sign it’s legit, and there was no info beyond what the area code would’ve already told me once it was done with the example number I tried.

        • D2L
          link
          fedilink
          English
          211 months ago

          Well damn. I only found it a little while ago and weirdly have had a lack of unknown calls for a couple days. Thanks for checking for us.

  • @Anonymousllama
    link
    10
    edit-2
    11 months ago

    With the Pixel you can use an auto-screen feature for incoming calls. You press the screen with assistant button and it talks to them for you (transcribing what they’re saying on screen in real time)

    You can then just hang up on them or answer the call. It’s amazing and both saves me time and also pisses off telemarketers, it’s a glorious win-win!

    • @wholeofthemoon
      link
      611 months ago

      Seems like a good way to end up on a list that your phone is active even if a robot is talking.

      • @Crashumbc
        link
        411 months ago

        I honestly don’t think it matters.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    811 months ago

    I don’t know where my number got sold in a list but I get like 2 calls a day and they are trying to sell me crypto. Thick indian accent guy calling from a singapore number: “Good Afternoon Sir I’m (American common name) and I want to talk to you about great investment opportunities. Have you ever heard of Bitcoin?” and I’m like dude I used to mine bitcoin when it was like 1usd and deleted my wallet knowing it worth nothing and is a waste of time don’t tell me what a good investment is.

  • @DirkMcCallahan
    link
    611 months ago

    The worst is when I’m expecting a call but don’t want to answer because I’m not sure if it’s a scammer or my doctor calling from a different number than the one that’s listed on their website.