Tips to get rid of telemarketers from former phone marketer

I use the ATT disconnect tone (those three beep tones) and play them when I'm called by any number I do not recognize. It plays the message( 'The number you have reached is not a working number, etc) This works very well especially if you are being called by an auto dialer (usually a computer) because the first thing an auto dialing computer does is try to determine if your phone number is legit, whether it is getting a busy signal or a live human voice. If it thinks it has reached a disconnected number, it does not turn the call over to a telemarketer, but usually deletes your phone number from its database and in some cases will share the information with other telemarketers. All you have to do is download the tone, save it to your desktop and assign a shortcut key to it so you can play it immediately.
When your phone rings and it’s a number you want to avoid, play the disconnect tone, pick up the phone receiver and hold it in front of your speakers. Works fine

Those do- not -call lists and registries don't seem to work for me..

Unless I recognize the name or number on caller id,I don't answer the phone.If it's important,they can leave a message and I'll get back to them.

We have tried Saying: "No!" But that does not always work! We are also on the National "Do Not Call List", But we still get Phone Calls!! So to me the National "Do Not Call" Registry" is a F'ing Joke!! Yes, It has cut down on phone calls from the legitimate companies who practice "Legal" Methods! But we still get "Cold Calls", 5 to 15 calls a day from the same companies, Yes we have accounts with a couple of them, But we keep telling them "DO not Call 5 to 15 or even 20 times a day 7 days a week even on Holidays, because that is Harassment! We can file a law suit for Harassment against you and WIN!! SO Please Stop Calling!" That Stopped some of the companies from calling , a lot! But 3 of them still call 5 to 15 times a day 7 days a week! At least they have pretty much stopped calling on Holidays for the most part! But a couple will still make a phone call or two on the Holidays!! WE just don't answer the phone and let the answering machine pick up! lol

People that tele market are people trying to make a living. They are not synonymous with the profiteers of their activity. I never treat them poorly, always say thank you and realize that they are victims of a moribund economy that has rendered them to an activity not held in esteem.

I have been on the DNC list since 2001. It doesn't stop anyone. I filed 20 complaints with the FTC in 2013 against the same caller. Nothing. Buy a call blocking device or a new cordless phone with call blocking built in. You're on your own out there, and asking to be put on a company's DNC list usually just ends with them hanging up on you and calling back the next day! Only the honest ones will honor your request, and most are phishing and don't care -- they know no one is enforcing the law.

My mother had a great way to stop them from calling. She would let them go through their spiel, then at the end "I'm so sorry, but I'm having trouble with my hearing aid. Could you please repeat that?". At the end of the repeat, "Oh my, I wonder if I need a new battery! Could you wait a minute while I put one in?". If they were dumb enough to go another round, "I'm so sorry, but I think the battery is expired because I still can't hear you. My daughter is outside playing, I'll get her in and you may speak with her". Then she's put the phone down and walk away, unless she was in the mood to play with them some more. It worked!

asking to be put on the no call list is just a waste of time as is the do not call list - these scammers will still call you, call you nasty names & they spoof numbers so that you cant block them. just dont answer the call if you dont recognize the name or number on your caller id & NEVER agree to give anyone money that calls you - your utilities will not be shut off & the police wont come out & arrest you. think smart and warn your elders of these traps. my mom used to keep a whistle by the phone & blast them before hanging up! lol

Depending on my mood, I either pretend I can't hear them, or act like English is my second language, or act stupid - e.g., when they ask me if I use Windows on my computer, I say, "sure, can you give me a second?" ...then after about 30 seconds I say, "OK, my computer is in the window. What's next?" lol
If I have less energy, I say, "Can you please give me a minute?" ...then just put the phone on the table and let them wait as long as they will.
My philosophy: they're not going away, so I might as well derive some humor from it - while a the same time, tying them up for a few minutes.

Good advice. However,most of these aggravating calls I am receiving are from machines spouting a recorded message. Clearly, they are trying to get me to opt "IN" by pushing a button on my phone before I get to a live human being. So, I just hang up on the recording. Am I supposed to play along with the recorded message until I actually get to someone who I can tell to place my number on their "DO NOT CALL" list??

I like telemarketers to call. I ask them questions. Deeply personal questions. Like for descriptions of their anatomy... their naughty bits... and their sexual preferences. Oddly, they don't want to speak with me long and never seem to call back.

Another silly article that says little. Sign up to be put on the Don Not Call list. This will remove 90% of the telemarketer calls you receive. But when you do get one, be polite and when they begin asking questions tell them you'll answer if they'll answer one question from you. "Waht color and type of underpants do you have on. They'll hang up every time. And you won't be called by the same company again.

I have caller ID, I just don't answer calls from 800 area codes or numbers I don't recognize.

Block them. You can block any number by dialing *60 and listen to the recording.

The do not call list is a joke.
Screening calls through an answering machine works for me.
Press the delete button. If it is someone I want to talk to, I return their call.

I have asked them for a donation for my charity.I tell them to give me their name and address so I can send them papers to fill out.
Other times I just ask "Did I ask you to call and annoy me?"
They get the idea

hi

The FCC has largely given up enforcement of the do not call list. Typically the telemarketers hang up after three rings - before your voice mail kicks in. I have caller ID and simply don't answer calls on my home land line from out of the area code numbers. I average about 5 calls per day Monday through Friday from do not call violators. If I receive more than 1 call over a couple days from the same number I simply block the number. No effect really. You kill one cockroach there are another hundred waiting behind the baseboard.

FCC used to answer do not call complaints. They no longer do nor do they nor longer bother with enforecement

I feign diminished capacity and ask to borrow "five dollars." Works every time (once).
When it involves donation requests for health care testing I say, "I have good news for you!
You can stop and go home right now! All those tests are now covered for free under 'Obamacare.' Isn't it wonderful!" Then the line goes dead.

Seems like not long ago nthyere was a law made to stop these ah's,,,,what happen?