So many 201 numbers are bombarding me with telemarketing calls on my cell (Fair Lawn: sales)

[FreshFresh]

Ok enough is enough. How do I stop this? How can I report this?

[Mightyqueen801]

Me, too. Since I have a 201 cell myself, even though I no longer live in 201, I tend to think it's someone I know and then I get those stupid calls about my non-existent credit card balances or the joy of learning that I can use another electric company.

My phone allows me to flag it as a sales call and asks if I want to block it. I guess that's Verizon doing that.

[readersthink]

Same here. Am on Do Not Call list for what its worth. Too many spammers to make complain on each of those numbers.

[Retriever]

The scammers who program those calls are almost surely spoofing "201" numbers. More than likely, I believe that they probably spoof regional area codes in all areas of the country.

[MaverickDD]

1. REGISTER YOUR NUMBER(S) ON THE NATIONAL DO NOT CALL REGISTRY
To register (or to verify a prior registration), here's the link: https://www.donotcall.gov/register/reg.aspx

2. FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE F.T.C.
Presently there doesn't appear to be much law enforcement for "DO NOT CALL" lists. If you want to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, here's the link: https://complaints.donotcall.gov/com...aintcheck.aspx

3. USE A BLOCKING APP (like Hiya)
Yes, it's a nuisance. Part of my battle is to use the free Hiya app on my smart phone. (The app is mediocre. I wish it was smarter.) But it's current database of spammer and scammer phone numbers is in the hundreds of thousands. Adjust your setting correctly on the phone and they don't get through.

4. DON'T ANSWER THE CALL
If you don't recognize the number, don't answer it. Yes, you'll occasionally miss a call you'd rather have taken, but legitimate callers will leave you a message and you can call them back.

5. DON'T BECOME THEIR CUSTOMER!
What amazes me is how these jokers can stay in business. There's only one way and that's if the people they call become customers! (Yes, some cold-call targets actually buy the snake oil!) Make a pledge that You will NEVER buy anything from a telemarketer, and if you happen to get one on the phone, let them know of your displeasure. An acquaintance of mine keeps earplugs and an air horn near the phone to get his message across.

6. WRITE YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
Inform your representatives that you want the Do Not Call laws strengthened, removing exceptions for charities, political organizations, and telephone surveyors. DO NOT CALL should mean DO NOT CALL, PERIOD and any of these "lesser" nuisances are still a nuisance. Instead, let these organizations develop their own "opt-in" lists.

7. SPREAD THE WORD
Encourage your circle of influence to do likewise.

All that said, in an earlier post Retriever makes a good point. Often the number you see on your caller ID is not the number that the call is really coming from. Any ideas for solving that problem?

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by Retriever

The scammers who program those calls are almost surely spoofing "201" numbers. More than likely, I believe that they probably spoof regional area codes in all areas of the country.

I almost didn't pick one up the other day, then I recognized the prefix as a Fair Lawn number and realized it was my mother's dialysis center.

She is hard of hearing, so they do a semi-annual check-in call with me to go over her numbers and general state of kidney health. Or lack thereof, since they don't function anymore, which is why she has to go there.

[readersthink]

Originally Posted by Retriever

The scammers who program those calls are almost surely spoofing "201" numbers. More than likely, I believe that they probably spoof regional area codes in all areas of the country.

It sure is spoofing, because I called back and it was some unrelated individual

[Blue biker]

Originally Posted by FreshFresh

Ok enough is enough. How do I stop this? How can I report this?

They're spoofing the numbers, I seem to get them in spurts. I'll go a day or 2 without any then 5 in 2hrs. I also get them with 800 numbers, got one the caller ID said Algeria. Anne from cardmember services, Hilton Hotels, etc, etc. They use Voice over Internet and spoof the number. I'll press 1 sometimes and say insulting things about their mother. I've talked to some of them, one guy said he was in Pakistan, I told him he slept with goats.
You can report them through the FTC but it really just wastes your time. I get text messages for BS also, again not much you can do..... Eventually some of them do get caught, I think they busted a bunch in India a while ago.

[beachouse]

Get the MR.Number app.

It will block almost all of the telemarketers.
Also you can enter area codes you want blocked.