Strange calls on my cell phone

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Strange calls on my cell phone

Posted: 4/11/2017 9:45:06 PM EDT

A couple of times a week I get called from area codes that I don't recognize. Since I only answer for known numbers, I just check the caller id and let it ring. The weird part is it never rings long enough to go to voicemail, just two or three rings and then ends. I will not call back to see who it was since 1) I don't care that much 2) I still remember scams where you called certain phone numbers and got charged ridiculous $$$/min.

So, does this happen to anyone else?

Is it a scam?

Why do they only let it ring 2-3 times?

Posted: 4/11/2017 9:46:15 PM EDT

[#1]

You call back. Get charged ridiculous money.

Posted: 4/11/2017 9:53:14 PM EDT

[#2]

If I don't know the number, I don't answer. And never, ever call the number back unless you want to get a charge for it. Just block the number and be done with it.

Posted: 4/11/2017 9:53:35 PM EDT

[#3]

Happens everyday to me I just ignore

Posted: 4/11/2017 9:56:28 PM EDT

[#4]

Constantly. Most are bs calls. I sometimes put the number into my phones browser to read reviews on it. On a side note I got a call from the prince of yuk yuk and I'm wealthier than fuck just as soon as give him my banking info so he can wire the king's fortune to me

Posted: 4/11/2017 9:58:30 PM EDT

[#5]

I do a quick search to see if it's a known number for a business or something, usually it's not and I block the number.

Posted: 4/11/2017 9:59:37 PM EDT

[#6]

Scams/telemarketers. I stopped answering unknown numbers a while ago, my area code or not. I always look up the numbers online and they're always reported as scams/telemarketers. Cunts.

Posted: 4/11/2017 10:06:38 PM EDT

[#7]

Robo dialers with spoofed numbers a lot of the time.

Posted: 4/11/2017 10:07:36 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
Robo dialers with spoofed numbers a lot of the time.

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Posted: 4/11/2017 10:07:43 PM EDT

[#9]

Attached File

Posted: 4/11/2017 10:09:48 PM EDT

[#10]

Look up "virtual kidnapping." Careful of these guys - mainly from Jamaica (look up Jamaican phone scams). They scare people into sending them money through Green Dot cards. Some will say there is a bomb in your house, they have your kids, etc. Just hang up or don't answer calls from numbers you don't recognize.

I write down numbers that keep calling and I call from an empty desk phone at work to see who called. Most are either disconnected, telemarketers, or some guy in Nigeria with a US number he got off an app. Its funny because when you call back they ask for you to enter your information. Seriously? I recently got a call from an Indian guy claiming to be from Microsoft telling me my computer was at risk. I was like "I have a MAC."

Posted: 4/11/2017 10:10:01 PM EDT

[#11]

I get this one at least once if not twice a day.

Posted: 4/11/2017 10:10:34 PM EDT

[#12]

It's definitely Mothman.

Posted: 4/11/2017 10:11:11 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
I get this one at least once if not twice a day.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v707/Kegster/Screenshot_2017-04-11-21-07-03_zpsphkfpist.png

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That's federal agents tracking you.

Posted: 4/11/2017 10:12:34 PM EDT

[#14]

Pls respond Eric

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Posted: 4/11/2017 10:12:57 PM EDT

[#15]

Google the phone number and see if others have reported scam calls from the same number. Often times you'll see multiple reports on the same number.

Posted: 4/11/2017 10:15:06 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
That's federal agents tracking you.

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I get this one at least once if not twice a day.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v707/Kegster/Screenshot_2017-04-11-21-07-03_zpsphkfpist.png

That's federal agents tracking you.

That's why I put a federal block on their federal ass.

Posted: 4/11/2017 10:24:14 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
I do a quick search to see if it's a known number for a business or something, usually it's not and I block the number.

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I do the same.

Posted: 4/11/2017 10:32:38 PM EDT

[#18]

Hell, just putting a phone number into google brings up a bunch of shady looking sites. Any recommendations on one not trying to sell a membership or requesting an email address?

ETA, shouldianswer seems legit

Posted: 4/11/2017 10:35:29 PM EDT

[#19]

The robocallers are starting to spoof random numbers and using the same area codes they are calling. Caller ID is no longer a very useful way to block them. I have a business number in my work cell that my blocking app has blacklisted and it never makes outgoing calls.

Posted: 4/11/2017 10:42:19 PM EDT

[#20]

Once in a while I will answer and see how long I can keep the telemarketer thinking I am interested. Had one yesterday for 23 minutes. When he finally asked for my credit card number to pay the "reservation fee" for the three vacations, I told him I really was not interested but wanted to keep him from talking to someone else as long as I could. Told him to tell his manager to remove my number from their list or I will do it again the next time they call. He said " Well aren't you an asshole" and hung up. Felt good being an asshole for once.

Something else you can do is after he goes through his sales pitch, ask him to wait a second while you get your wallet. Set the phone down and see how long it takes for him to hang up because he realizes you are not coming back on the line.

Posted: 4/11/2017 10:50:23 PM EDT

[#21]

If you don't know the number and they don't leave a message.... Why the hell do you care?

Its not your mom calling to tell you your dads sick.
Its not the lottery calling to give you money.
Its not an attorney calling to tell you about your new inheritance.
Its not publishers clearing house calling to let you know you won the grand prize.

No.

Its some asshole trying to sell you something you don't need.
Or some other fuck who wants you to donate money to fund his pocket lint collection.
Or just a random dumbass telemarketer trying to make it through his shift without going insane.

But who cares! No message means "I know if I leave a message you won't call back anyway."

Fuck those fucks.

Posted: 4/11/2017 10:50:42 PM EDT

[#22]

It's just Heather from account services. Or the chick that giggles.

Posted: 4/11/2017 10:51:03 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:

That's why I put a federal block on their federal ass.

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That shit doesn't work.

Posted: 4/17/2017 8:36:59 PM EDT

[#24]

I got a call today from a guy who said he received a few calls from my number the last couple of days. I didn't make the calls and flip phones don't make butt calls. He was selling a car on Craigslist so he mainly wanted to follow up in case I was a buyer. At least one major carrier is now making headway in actually blocking these calls so I would look for some creativity and desperate moves as their world shrinks.

Posted: 4/17/2017 8:54:45 PM EDT

[#25]

I have not answered to my phone in over twenty years and I do not have caller ID. Anyone who calls me knows to start to leave a message and once I determine your are a friend and not a foe I will pick up. Telemarketers calling me is almost nonexistent.

Posted: 4/18/2017 8:30:52 AM EDT

[#26]

Had one the other day. Sounded South Asian. (India, Pakistani) started his spiel, I said not interested, remove me from your list or I will contact the authorities. He replied "Fuck you" and disconnected. I put the Nomorobo app on my iPhone. Seems to be working well, have gone from 8 or more calls a day to zero yesterday.

Posted: 4/18/2017 8:43:36 AM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:
Happens everyday to me I just ignore

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This. I got seven random calls yesterday, all from different numbers, none left voicemail.
Most are spoofs of local numbers, some only a few digits off my own number.
A lady called me the other day and left a message saying that my number called her trying to sell her New York Times newspaper

Posted: 4/18/2017 8:45:58 AM EDT

[#28]

I block all unknown numbers that come in.

Posted: 4/18/2017 8:49:56 AM EDT

[#29]

I like to answer them

sometimes you get real people and get to have fun trolling them.

Lately ive been answering a few different ways, I usually say.

"The package has been delivered"
"The body has been taken care of"
"its been done"
"Ready for phase three"

I only wish I could see the facial expressions

Posted: 4/18/2017 8:52:31 AM EDT

[#30]

Ray Bradbury "Dial Double Zero" the phone system is becoming self aware.

Posted: 4/18/2017 8:59:38 AM EDT

[#31]

Random Spoofed number: RING!
Me: NSA, Jack speaking
Random spoofed number: <click>

Real NSA: Sir you have been put on a watch list because of all of the suspicious calls
Me: Well, if you are watching me, why don't you do something about those calls?
Real NSA: Sir, we arent here to actually DO anything, we just ran out of real terrorists to spy on, so you are the designated victim (tm) now.
Me:

Posted: 4/18/2017 9:04:07 AM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:
You call back. Get charged ridiculous money.

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I had a thread on Friday about this.

Posted: 4/18/2017 9:04:24 AM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:
Happens everyday to me I just ignore

View Quote

Posted: 4/18/2017 9:05:10 AM EDT

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:
..................... I recently got a call from an Indian guy claiming to be from Microsoft telling me my computer was at risk. I was like "I have a MAC."

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I told them I have a MAC, my wife has the PC and I'd go get her. Put the phone down, turn up the volume, wait for the dial tone.

Then I shelled out for caller ID and ignore them all.

Posted: 4/18/2017 9:11:12 AM EDT

[#35]

So when i know its a bs number i answer the line and put a fax machine sound from Youtube on full blast. It has decreased calls.

Posted: 4/18/2017 9:13:33 AM EDT

[#36]

Haha blocked number I don't even answer the phone for people I know.

Posted: 4/18/2017 9:17:45 AM EDT

[#37]

Neither real people nor robots call me anymore. All I get are the silent numbers wanting you to call back.

Posted: 4/18/2017 9:18:55 AM EDT

[#38]

I had a couple of text messages on my cellphone a couple years back that were a little spooky. I ignored them.

When the first message says something like, "Hey man, if you're gonna tell Juan you can't get the money together on time then you'll be the one telling him, not me. If you need help collecting the money then you'll have to recruit some guys on your own, I'm not getting into that either."

The second message was asking why the first message wasn't responded to and no more after that. Either the guy it was meant for got the job done, or got his "reward" for failing to get the job done, or they found out he wasn't getting the messages.

I could be wrong, but just ignoring stuff like that seems better than getting involved in it.

Posted: 4/18/2017 9:19:49 AM EDT

[#39]

I'm wondering when phones will all have extensions to dial before the call can go through and phone companies make an effort to prevent spoofing caller ID's.

The extension would give you another layer before a call gets through making it tough for robo dialers. Maybe you could set up a home phone like a business phone and have it automatically answer and prompt for an extension #. They get two chances to enter the correct extension # before the call is dropped.

Posted: 4/18/2017 9:21:36 AM EDT

[#40]

Quote History

Quoted:
It's just Heather from account services. Or the chick that giggles.

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I've been getting a lot of automated calls from Heather also. I blocked that number and she (robot) calls back from a different number. I've blocked her on three or four different numbers already. Is this really legal for them to use spoofed numbers like that?

It's too bad there isn't a way to spam their phones!

Posted: 4/18/2017 9:21:44 AM EDT

[#41]

Quote History

Quoted:
If I don't know the number, I don't answer. And never, ever call the number back unless you want to get a charge for it. Just block the number and be done with it.

View Quote

This. It is very simply to block the number. With my old cell number I had 50-75 blocked numbers from out of state callers. Needless to say, i recently got a new number....