So, how do telemarketers and scammers get your phone number?

[Kremlibot]

I've never given this number over the internet, or used it to sign up for anything.

Couple months ago I got a call from some bloke asking to speak to "Gail". I was like, uhhhh wrong number. And they were like "maybe you can help me?". In comes some pitch about being with an organization for wounded first responders (by then I knew it was a phishing scam), told them ♥♥♥♥ first responders, don't call me again, then hung up.

A week later I get another call from someone using a nearly identical sales pitch, where they ask for a person who isn't me followed by "maybe you can help me?", but this time it's for wounded firefighters. I gave the response, ♥♥♥♥ firefighters, don't call me again.

Periodically, I keep getting calls from people pushing the same types of scams, and I keep putting their numbers on my block list, along with robot calls telling me I won a free cruise, but they just keep changing the numbers. I automatically don't answer any phone calls from an area code I don't recognize and put it on the block list, but they started moving to only using numbers from my area code, and if you call the number back, it's not in service. I'm assuming they're using some kinda method to spoof numbers?

Is there a solution to get scammers and telemarketers to stop calling me? Call blocking apps, tried that, and it doesn't really work. I would just cuss people out over the phone, but most of them are robots and aren't listening.

I've tried everything short of just a straight up white list.

[Bluemenkranz]

A lot of surveys use random number generators to make phone numbers to call, probably something similar

[adoidos15]

Since you have answered the first scam call, that information has been shared everywhere, saying that this number is real, because someone answered it. You will continue to get scam calls for a while, and they probably wont ever go away.

[tomkin]

Originally posted by Bland Ambition:

https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/15/mobile-phone-companies-appear-to-be-providing-your-number-and-location-to-anyone-who-pays/

And this is why i don't own a phone.

[Conejo]

Companies also sell your info, i once got an account with a certain cell phone company long time ago. Not had a day pass in of which i was recieving about 10 scam calls aday...Yupp

[Conejo]

Originally posted by Bland Ambition:

https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/15/mobile-phone-companies-appear-to-be-providing-your-number-and-location-to-anyone-who-pays/

Scary...

[Azza ☠]

Some actually just go via a phone book. Your number is on public record, unless listed as private.

I rarely get any scammers calling, but when they do... it's a ball of fun! Keeping them on for up to hours, just wasting their time and then driving them nuts by the end of it.

For a phone call, it would end up something like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UE_Q1pprEg

If it's an email you sent me as a scam or phish, you will end up in an endless chat with an extremely smart (yet dumb and question asking) AI Bot who will play the innocent victim. It's role plays various characters, such as an elder man who attempts to get his grandson to help him with the scammer's requests. Or some black guy trying to score. The list goes on and ends up extremely amusing.

[Conejo]

To anyone having this issue, best thing to do is downlod an app called "should i answer". Its been a blessing for me.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mistergroup.muzutozvednout&hl=en

[Vince ✟]

credit applications are one way. I always seem to get calls from creditors once I have applied somewhere. Your responses to the telemarketers aren't going to illicit much of an argument here either, if that is what you were phishing for. Best thing to do in these cases is simply let the calls go to voicemail unless you know who it is. If it is important, they will leave a message. This mindset comes from a time when landlines were all we had, and we sure as hell didn't answer every time it rang.

[Ez Duzit]

Perhaps steam sells your number

[↑↑↓↓←→←→BASelect]

When i get them calls and it's a woman I'll be like what color bra you got on. They will ignore the question and continue on. So i'll be what color panties you got on? Again they will ignore the question. Then i'll be what size are your boobs. She will say that is none of your business and continue on. So then i'll be like so what is your favorite position when you have sex? Again she said excuse me and continue on. So then i start moaning loudly into the phone and be like your voice really turns me on and i can't hold back exploding. She will be like well i never. So i'll be like, well i'm not surprised with an attitude like that. Then hang up.

[chiefputsilao✖️ping]

they got the number from your telco in exchange of certain 'fees'...

[Azza ☠]

Originally posted by Mattmoo:

They always want to talk to my mom for some reason, probably got her name somehow.

Are you or do you still sound like a kid?

Some scammers are so dumb, they consider kid's trolling them as a female voice:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O90F1P4q3vk

[Crystal Sharrd]

Illegally. I should sue them for harrassment, since I'm on the Do Not Call registry.

[HOT DOG]

Phone numbers can be recycled by the provider. I've changed numbers before just because creditors and debt collectors were calling from someone that possessed the number before me. Providers will also sell your number to marketers or at least leave it in a public directory for them to access.

[Nemesis2k7]

Originally posted by Pepe:

I've never given this number over the internet, or used it to sign up for anything.

Couple months ago I got a call from some bloke asking to speak to "Gail". I was like, uhhhh wrong number. And they were like "maybe you can help me?". In comes some pitch about being with an organization for wounded first responders (by then I knew it was a phishing scam), told them ♥♥♥♥ first responders, don't call me again, then hung up.

A week later I get another call from someone using a nearly identical sales pitch, where they ask for a person who isn't me followed by "maybe you can help me?", but this time it's for wounded firefighters. I gave the response, ♥♥♥♥ firefighters, don't call me again.

Periodically, I keep getting calls from people pushing the same types of scams, and I keep putting their numbers on my block list, along with robot calls telling me I won a free cruise, but they just keep changing the numbers. I automatically don't answer any phone calls from an area code I don't recognize and put it on the block list, but they started moving to only using numbers from my area code, and if you call the number back, it's not in service. I'm assuming they're using some kinda method to spoof numbers?

Is there a solution to get scammers and telemarketers to stop calling me? Call blocking apps, tried that, and it doesn't really work. I would just cuss people out over the phone, but most of them are robots and aren't listening.

I've tried everything short of just a straight up white list.

oh sorry. i gave them your phone number. thought it would be a laugh