I am recently receiving 20+ unwanted calls on my landline.....suggestions??

[#1 Cowboys Fan]

Why don't you tell us why you think you need a landline (that rings)? There are many alternatives depending on your reasoning. Let us suggest some.

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I mentioned before, my secondary phone/cell phone I don't use much....I 'pay' for the minutes.

So, when a Brother/Friend, etc call, and we talk for an Hour+..... the landline doesn't use 'minutes'.

I occasionally get a REAL call....Doctor's Offices, etc.....those I want to go to my Landline.

Others, too..... is it ok if I keep my Landline? Why do others want to talk me away from it, vs trying to solve the issue?
(I don't intend the above sentence to be 'mean.)

 

[DrQ]

I mentioned before, my secondary phone/cell phone I don't use much....I 'pay' for the minutes.

So, when a Brother/Friend, etc call, and we talk for an Hour+..... the landline doesn't use 'minutes'.

I occasionally get a REAL call....Doctor's Offices, etc.....those I want to go to my Landline.

Others, too..... is it ok if I keep my Landline? Why do others want to talk me away from it, vs trying to solve the issue?
(I don't intend the above sentence to be 'mean.)

If you have Caller ID on your landline, you can buy a whitelist/blacklist blocker.

https://www.amazon.com/ULTIMATE-CAL...ocphy=9191694&hvtargid=pla-734452648007&psc=1

Turn on whitelist call blocking to allow ONLY phone numbers on your whitelist to not be blocked. You will have to add additional numbers for exchanges that doctors offices may use to keep them from being blocked.

 

[dioxide45]

Others, too..... is it ok if I keep my Landline? Why do others want to talk me away from it, vs trying to solve the issue?

We personally can't stop you from getting the calls. No one really can. Many people here have offered suggestions, such as changing your landline provider. Also, landline can now mean many different things. Not just copper, not just through your cable provider. If you have internet, there are hundreds of other services out there that you can port your number over to that also offer unlimited nationwide calling (aka free minutes). Other services offer far better call blocking technologies than your current provider seems to offer.

 

[jp10558]

I mentioned before, my secondary phone/cell phone I don't use much....I 'pay' for the minutes.

So, when a Brother/Friend, etc call, and we talk for an Hour+..... the landline doesn't use 'minutes'.

I occasionally get a REAL call....Doctor's Offices, etc.....those I want to go to my Landline.

Others, too..... is it ok if I keep my Landline? Why do others want to talk me away from it, vs trying to solve the issue?
(I don't intend the above sentence to be 'mean.)

IDK how much you pay for your landline, but you're almost certainly overpaying for your cell. If you buy your phone unlocked, you can get on red pocket wireless for sub $20 a month for unlimited minutes, texts. I think it might be as low as $12.50 a month if you don't want mobile data.

But - if you won't change providers, you could try something like https://www.callcontrol.com/call-control-home/ which will try, probably to less success, to use a huge community blocklist that's autoupdated to block spam calls.

The "real" answer though is to turn off the ringer on the landline, don't ever answer it. Check the voicemail every so often and make the outgoing call if you need to. Also works for calling your relatives.

 

[dioxide45]

Also works for calling your relatives.

It only works if your relatives don't do the same thing as you. If you both turn off your ringers and only return voice mails, you will forever be playing phone tag.

 

[#1 Cowboys Fan]

"IDK how much you pay for your landline, but you're almost certainly overpaying for your cell. If you buy your phone unlocked, you can get on red pocket wireless for sub $20 a month for unlimited minutes, texts. I think it might be as low as $12.50 a month if you don't want mobile data."

I pay about $80 per year to get 1500 minutes, and a year newer model Samsung phone. Tough to beat less than $7/month

The "real" answer though is to turn off the ringer on the landline, don't ever answer it. Check the voicemail every so often and make the outgoing call if you need to. Also works for calling your relatives.

That's what I'm doing....but I still hear the BEEP on my answering machine. And when I hear the low sound ring from the other room when the calls come in, I look at Called ID. (again about 25 times each day)

 

[isisdave]

It only works if your relatives don't do the same thing as you. If you both turn off your ringers and only return voice mails, you will forever be playing phone tag.

Send a text to the cell phone saying "call me in 5 minutes on the Secret Hotline"

 

[jp10558]

I pay about $80 per year to get 1500 minutes, and a year newer model Samsung phone. Tough to beat less than $7/month

Sure, but how much per month is the landline? More than $13? If so, you really ought to drop the landline cause all the apps are cheaper and way better tested on smartphones for blocking spam calls, and then you don't need to worry about not just using one phone for all your needs.

That's what I'm doing....but I still hear the BEEP on my answering machine. And when I hear the low sound ring from the other room when the calls come in, I look at Called ID. (again about 25 times each day)

So learn to ignore it, or turn off the beep? The problem inherently is treating an incoming phone call as important or worthy of being notified about at all. They almost always aren't anything but repeated spam calls.

 

[#1 Cowboys Fan]

Here's the easy way to deal with this. I know this works because this is what I did when I still had a boomer-line. (I no longer do, thankfully.)

When the phone rings, pick it up. Say nothing. If a human is on the other end, they will eventually say "hello? is anyone there?" If it's a computer attempting to connect the call to the boiler room full of scammers, nothing will happen. The computer doesn't do anything until there is activity on your end. You can safely hang up after 10 seconds or so. This almost always separates the wheat from the chaff.

Try it the next time the phone rings.

I have tried the above strategy for about 4 or 5 calls each day (of the ~30)

No one ever says anything, and I get a disconnect after about 10 seconds.

Thanks for suggesting....but I don't see how this will solve anything...the calls are all coming in with a DIFFERENT number.

I have had more than 30 today....and it's only 5:30pm so far...............

 

[Sandi Bo]

What if you leave your phone off the hook -- whenever you aren't using it (since you use it for outgoing only)? Maybe after enough busies they'll leave you alone? Or forward to another unused number?

 

[ScoopKona]

I have tried the above strategy for about 4 or 5 calls each day (of the ~30)

Right. And you DIDN'T get the piranha pit scammer on the phone.

That's better than having to deal with scammers. And if it was someone you actually wanted to talk to, they'd identify. You're going to get scam calls on a land line. Scammers see people who still have landlines as "the happy hunting grounds."

My mother in law got one while I was visiting last time. The "Your grandchild is in jail and needs bail" scam.

Me: "Little Jimmy's in jail?!?!?!"
Scammer: "Yes, and you need to Western Union bail to get him out!"
Me: "I hope the little bastard rots there. Put him in the cell with the gang members."

We finally had to take her landline away -- anyone could call claiming to be with the IRS and she'd answer ANY question from them. Social security numbers of her children and grandchildren. Bank information. Addresses. Ages. EVERYTHING.

"Mom, that was a Russian scammer. The IRS doesn't call. They send letters or come get you in person."

"But he said he was the IRS!"

 

[Sandi Bo]

Sorry for being a bit off topic -- an update to my 'reason for a landline' -- I never did get the promised fax from the IRS however I did get the paperwork I needed from them via snail mail! (Is that better or worse than faxing - I'll answer my own question -- worse, this 'simple' process of applying for an EIN took way too long)?

And another rant - how come cell phones can't be on the do not call list (not that I think the do not call list is worth 2 shillings today). For quite some time cell phones were off limits to some of these shenanigans - and then some law expired and the calls started coming our cell phones (so you know it could be stopped to some degree).

 

[#1 Cowboys Fan]

What if you leave your phone off the hook -- whenever you aren't using it (since you use it for outgoing only)?

hmm, I may try that some times. But, I do get REAL calls, too....though only about 5% currently.

Maybe after enough busies they'll leave you alone? Or forward to another unused number?

What other number to forward to (my only other number is a seldom used cell phone.....which would be worse.

 

[Sandi Bo]

hmm, I may try that some times. But, I do get REAL calls, too....though only about 5% currently.

What other number to forward to (my only other number is a seldom used cell phone.....which would be worse.

Your worst enemy... ok, I'll stop, in all seriousness - I think there are free services. I used to set up google voice numbers when i was testing software, I'm not sure they are still free (I'll play with this when I have more time - or maybe someone on here will already have a better suggestion.

Need a Second Phone Number? How to Get Started With Google Voice

The Google Voice service gives you a free phone number to use for phone calls, text messages, and voicemail on your mobile phone and your computer.

www.pcmag.com

Or you really could find a number that is junk - maybe one of those scammer numbers calling you... my first choice would be to set up a google voice number if they are still free.

 

[Bucky]

hmm, I may try that some times. But, I do get REAL calls, too....though only about 5% currently.

What other number to forward to (my only other number is a seldom used cell phone.....which would be worse.

It just sounds like somehow your number has been given out as a fax number. Probably by a new business that maybe listed an incorrect (Yours) phone number as their fax number.

Your land line company is responsible for solving this problem. Heres what. Try this from the internet.

If you are not satisfied with your phone company's response, contact your state government or the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Contact your state consumer protection office for help resolving a phone company complaint.

 

[Ralph Sir Edward]

I have waited to sift through the (hopefully) many repsonses.....to answer the questions once people go through my specifics.

I received another approximately 27 calls today. NONE left a message.

A couple days ago, I answered my phone...twice....just to see if a person would come on to TALK to me about something.
NOPE, neither time.

I have turned down/OFF the Ringer(s) of my Phone(S).....so that I can barely hear the incoming calls (it comes from a room 30 feet away). When I hear the 'soft' ring, I look at the Caller ID on my phone....IN CASE IT IS A VALID CALL. (sad to say, not very common lately)

90%+ of the calls are from my area code.

I have a Tracfone Plan......it costs me about $6 per month. That's because obviously it is limited in minutes/usage, etc.
I have access to about 1500 minutes each YEAR.....so I only Text 'occasionally', I go on the Internet from home thru that phone, and I use it for SHORT conversations.

So, THAT is why I have a Landline.

When I want to talk to friends for more than 5 minutes......like to a Brother/Nephew for an HOUR+....I use my Landline.

When my Doctor, Pharmacist, Friends, etc wants to reach me....they call my LANDLINE...and leave a message.
(Several of them don't know my Cell Phone number.)

My Landline, combined with my Cell Phone, gives me TWO ways to reach me by phone.
FIRST CHOICE: Landline SECOND CHOICE: Cell Phone

So, I'm doing the best I can, but even a 'Quiet' ring 25+ times per day can be annoying.

Thanks for everyone's responses....much appreciated.

Given my 'rant' above....any NEW advice?

Thanks again

First, there is no perfect answer.

My answer is the following. Years ago, I purchased a CPR Callblocker V5000. I plugged it into my landline into the V5000 as a "man in the middle" setup. I have caller ID. The V5000 had a big red button, so that anytime I hit the button the call is disconnected and the number logged on the black list. When that number is called again, one ring and it is automatically hung up.

While it doesn't stop all spam calls, it does reduce the number dramatically. Of course, you have to build up the blocking list, but that doesn't take too long (snicker).

(And yes, you can punch the button in mid call, it disconnects the ongoing call and still logs ii into the blacklist.)

 

[jp10558]

Sorry for being a bit off topic -- an update to my 'reason for a landline' -- I never did get the promised fax from the IRS however I did get the paperwork I needed from them via snail mail! (Is that better or worse than faxing - I'll answer my own question -- worse, this 'simple' process of applying for an EIN took way too long)?

Personally, snail mail for me is better than faxing as I don't need to jump through any hoops to get snail mail. Also, snail mail is both more resilient to spam / scams / ads as it costs "real money" to send, and at the same time takes me way less effort to filter into recycling.

And another rant - how come cell phones can't be on the do not call list (not that I think the do not call list is worth 2 shillings today). For quite some time cell phones were off limits to some of these shenanigans - and then some law expired and the calls started coming our cell phones (so you know it could be stopped to some degree).

Honestly I don't think it had to do with any law - back when you paid per minute to receive cell calls - the phone companies would "lose money" on wasted network traffic. Now that it's almost always "unlimited" they don't have a direct financial stake to do anything. You'll note how "possible" a lot of "impossible filtering" becomes for various transit companies when the lack of filtering is costing them money.

 

[ScoopKona]

My answer is the following. Years ago, I purchased a CPR Callblocker V5000. I plugged it into my landline into the V5000 as a "man in the middle" setup. I have caller ID. The V5000 had a big red button, so that anytime I hit the button the call is disconnected and the number logged on the black list. When that number is called again, one ring and it is automatically hung up.

Because of number spoofing, these no longer work. The same scammer can call 20 times a day with 20 randomly generated numbers.

It would be easier to white-list the numbers which are allowed through and block everything else.

 

[Glynda]

#1 Cowboys Fan posted in his original post, "I have reasons to keep my landline.....so please don't advise me to 'cut' that." and posted "(Please read ALL of my post....I have presented details so as to eliminated simple solutions such as "....get rid of the landline, etc." Yet many of you have ignored those requests and a few of you have rudely given #1 Cowboys Fan a hard time over having a landline and seem to imply that the same thing wouldn't happen on a cell phone. If you read my post, this the same thing is happening to my husband on his Apple iPhone via T-Mobile with another state's area code where we no longer live and on my Apple iPhone on Verizon with yet another area code from where we live. We are each getting 10 or more spam calls per day. The calls come from random towns and numbers within the area codes of each of our cell phone numbers. No one has responded the couple of times we have answered. No one leaves a voice mail. We each click on "block and report" for every call. It's been going on for about a month just as has #1 Cowboys Fan's. AND and my husband and I also live in SC.

 

[#1 Cowboys Fan]

Over 50 calls today....another call to Hargray/Sparklight, talking to three nice people....but no solution........

 

[SmithOp]

#1 Cowboys Fan posted in his original post, "I have reasons to keep my landline.....so please don't advise me to 'cut' that." and posted "(Please read ALL of my post....I have presented details so as to eliminated simple solutions such as "....get rid of the landline, etc." Yet many of you have ignored those requests and a few of you have rudely given #1 Cowboys Fan a hard time over having a landline and seem to imply that the same thing wouldn't happen on a cell phone. If you read my post, this the same thing is happening to my husband on his Apple iPhone via T-Mobile with another state's area code where we no longer live and on my Apple iPhone on Verizon with yet another area code from where we live. We are each getting 10 or more spam calls per day. The calls come from random towns and numbers within the area codes of each of our cell phone numbers. No one has responded the couple of times we have answered. No one leaves a voice mail. We each click on "block and report" for every call. It's been going on for about a month just as has #1 Cowboys Fan's. AND and my husband and I also live in SC.

I don't know if you have this feature on iPhone but it works on my Android Google Pixel.

Turn on Do Not Disturb all the time.
Create an exception to Do Not Disturb, if they are in my contact list let the call come through.
Calls not in my contacts go to voicemail, never rings. If it's someone that wants to get hold of me they leave a message.

I no longer get spammer or scammer calls.

 

[isisdave]

Personally, snail mail for me is better than faxing as I don't need to jump through any hoops to get snail mail. Also, snail mail is both more resilient to spam / scams / ads as it costs "real money" to send, and at the same time takes me way less effort to filter into recycling.

Honestly I don't think it had to do with any law - back when you paid per minute to receive cell calls - the phone companies would "lose money" on wasted network traffic. Now that it's almost always "unlimited" they don't have a direct financial stake to do anything. You'll note how "possible" a lot of "impossible filtering" becomes for various transit companies when the lack of filtering is costing them money.

And here likes the key. Find a technological way to charge the cell company that delivers the call to you one cent, to be given to a selection of charities. They will soon enough figure out how to offload that charge, either by stuffing it back up the line to the originator, or detecting and preventing its delivery.

 

[#1 Cowboys Fan]

I don't know if you have this feature on iPhone but it works on my Android Google Pixel.

Turn on Do Not Disturb all the time.
Create an exception to Do Not Disturb, if they are in my contact list let the call come through.
Calls not in my contacts go to voicemail, never rings. If it's someone that wants to get hold of me they leave a message.

I no longer get spammer or scammer calls.

It's my Landline

 

[Glynda]

It's my Landline

SmithOp was replying to my post concerning cell phone spamming us in the same manner you are being spammed, for the same length of time and in the same state as you.

 

[#1 Cowboys Fan]

oops. correct Glynda......thanks.

I lived on "...the Cape...." '81-'85 (Wellfleet). Played several Golf courses in the area of Brewster Green.

You and I have posted on the same thread a few times over the years....now we're about 100 miles away (?)