On 8/3/2012 11:26 AM, Metspitzer wrote:
On Fri, 3 Aug 2012 11:11:11 -0400, "Roanin"
wrote:

We regret that we cannot assist you in stopping these calls, but we hope
that the information contained in this letter has better explained the role
of the Ohio Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section.


Respectfully,

MIKE DEWINE
Attorney General of Ohio

I furnished my name and email to the National Do Not Call Registry at
least once a week for months listing the new numbers they use and the
times they called.

If the National Do Not Call Registry can't do anything about the
calls, it would be nice to get an email saying.........we feel your
pain, instead of just letting people file complaint after complaint.

Like the attorney general's letter said: the National Registry is
effective in stopping legitimate businesses, or even illegitimate
ones, who have a brick and mortar presence in this country. If they
can be located, they can be punished.

The problem is going after the people who aren't located in the US, or
who have no permanent presence here. They are nearly impossible to
trace and catch because they are constantly on the move and are
concealing their real identities and whereabouts. They don't need a
physical presence to convince you to give them your credit card
numbers, SSN, and bank account number, and that's what they're after
when they phone you.

Not only are certain law enforcement agencies looking into this, so
are the fraud squads of nearly every major credit card company,
because the crooks are using their names and phone numbers to persuade
people they're legit.

Part of the investigation that my friend's husband is involved in is
just collecting bits and pieces of information from these calls and
putting them together to try and trace the perps. Everyone gets these
calls, so when the investigators get them, they play along, engage the
scammers in conversation, and ask certain innocuous-sounding
questions. They're gradually tracing these people that way, but it's
slow and frustrating, because as fast as you shut one down, three more
go into business. It's like whack-a-mole. It's also the phone
equivalent of the Nigerian emails.


If anyone out there, and I know there are, get these calls, just hang
up. You can't win.

Exactly. You can't stop the Nigerians, either. By the way, did you
know the Nigerian fraudsters have expanded their operations into the
US? They use Nigerian immigrants to the US, paying for their college
education, then have them get jobs in financial institutions. These
people then stole funds via electronic transactions and stole credit
card and banking data and sent it all to the gang. One of these rings
was busted in the Twin Cities last year.

On Fri, 03 Aug 2012 19:47:55 -0400, "
wrote:

The problem with blacklisting is that you have to do it for each number.

I haven't been following the thread so please excuse if I repeat
something.

On my Verizon cell account I'm allowed 5 blocked numbers. But the junk
calls I get are always from different numbers so this is no help for
me.

as problems with SMS spam. She can log onto our Verizon account and block the
number (only lasts three months, or something) but there is no way to opt out
of all SMS service. We don't like paying the $.10 per spam but there is no
way to block it.

Look around the Verizon site. I have 1500/mo SMS service so my options
may be different than yours but there are a whole slew of SMS option
check boxes. I can opt out of premium texts, video, photos, and all
texts (though I'm not sure why I would want to do that). Two that
seemed to really cut down on my spam were opting out of texts
originating from email and the internet. I also turned off all
internet access on my wife's feature phone. Verizon's got a convoluted
site so dig around an you may find what you need.

On 8/3/2012 10:12 PM, Hell Toupee wrote:
On 8/3/2012 11:26 AM, Metspitzer wrote:
On Fri, 3 Aug 2012 11:11:11 -0400, "Roanin"
wrote:

We regret that we cannot assist you in stopping these calls, but we hope
that the information contained in this letter has better explained
the role
of the Ohio Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section.


Respectfully,

MIKE DEWINE
Attorney General of Ohio

I furnished my name and email to the National Do Not Call Registry at
least once a week for months listing the new numbers they use and the
times they called.

If the National Do Not Call Registry can't do anything about the
calls, it would be nice to get an email saying.........we feel your
pain, instead of just letting people file complaint after complaint.

Like the attorney general's letter said: the National Registry is
effective in stopping legitimate businesses, or even illegitimate ones,
who have a brick and mortar presence in this country. If they can be
located, they can be punished.

The problem is going after the people who aren't located in the US, or
who have no permanent presence here. They are nearly impossible to trace
and catch because they are constantly on the move and are concealing
their real identities and whereabouts. They don't need a physical
presence to convince you to give them your credit card numbers, SSN, and
bank account number, and that's what they're after when they phone you.


And obviously the reason they keep on doing it is because it works. So
when they ask for your credit card or personal info as a representative
of some bank or financial institution if everyone responded "you called
me so prove who you are" they just may go away.



Not only are certain law enforcement agencies looking into this, so are
the fraud squads of nearly every major credit card company, because the
crooks are using their names and phone numbers to persuade people
they're legit.

Part of the investigation that my friend's husband is involved in is
just collecting bits and pieces of information from these calls and
putting them together to try and trace the perps. Everyone gets these
calls, so when the investigators get them, they play along, engage the
scammers in conversation, and ask certain innocuous-sounding questions.
They're gradually tracing these people that way, but it's slow and
frustrating, because as fast as you shut one down, three more go into
business. It's like whack-a-mole. It's also the phone equivalent of the
Nigerian emails.


If anyone out there, and I know there are, get these calls, just hang
up. You can't win.

Exactly. You can't stop the Nigerians, either. By the way, did you know
the Nigerian fraudsters have expanded their operations into the US? They
use Nigerian immigrants to the US, paying for their college education,
then have them get jobs in financial institutions. These people then
stole funds via electronic transactions and stole credit card and
banking data and sent it all to the gang. One of these rings was busted
in the Twin Cities last year.

On Fri, 03 Aug 2012 22:40:22 -0700, AaronL wrote:

On Fri, 03 Aug 2012 19:47:55 -0400, "
wrote:

The problem with blacklisting is that you have to do it for each number.

I haven't been following the thread so please excuse if I repeat
something.

On my Verizon cell account I'm allowed 5 blocked numbers. But the junk
calls I get are always from different numbers so this is no help for
me.

Exactly.

as problems with SMS spam. She can log onto our Verizon account and block the
number (only lasts three months, or something) but there is no way to opt out
of all SMS service. We don't like paying the $.10 per spam but there is no
way to block it.

Look around the Verizon site. I have 1500/mo SMS service so my options
may be different than yours but there are a whole slew of SMS option
check boxes. I can opt out of premium texts, video, photos, and all
texts (though I'm not sure why I would want to do that). Two that
seemed to really cut down on my spam were opting out of texts
originating from email and the internet. I also turned off all
internet access on my wife's feature phone. Verizon's got a convoluted
site so dig around an you may find what you need.

But it costs something like $10/mo times two phones. Why should I pay
anything for spam SMS messages? $20 is also way more than I'm getting junk
SMSMs.

On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 09:16:01 -0400, George wrote:

On 8/3/2012 10:12 PM, Hell Toupee wrote:
On 8/3/2012 11:26 AM, Metspitzer wrote:
On Fri, 3 Aug 2012 11:11:11 -0400, "Roanin"
wrote:

We regret that we cannot assist you in stopping these calls, but we hope
that the information contained in this letter has better explained
the role
of the Ohio Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section.


Respectfully,

MIKE DEWINE
Attorney General of Ohio

I furnished my name and email to the National Do Not Call Registry at
least once a week for months listing the new numbers they use and the
times they called.

If the National Do Not Call Registry can't do anything about the
calls, it would be nice to get an email saying.........we feel your
pain, instead of just letting people file complaint after complaint.

Like the attorney general's letter said: the National Registry is
effective in stopping legitimate businesses, or even illegitimate ones,
who have a brick and mortar presence in this country. If they can be
located, they can be punished.

The problem is going after the people who aren't located in the US, or
who have no permanent presence here. They are nearly impossible to trace
and catch because they are constantly on the move and are concealing
their real identities and whereabouts. They don't need a physical
presence to convince you to give them your credit card numbers, SSN, and
bank account number, and that's what they're after when they phone you.


And obviously the reason they keep on doing it is because it works. So
when they ask for your credit card or personal info as a representative
of some bank or financial institution if everyone responded "you called
me so prove who you are" they just may go away.

That's a good idea. However, if they called me, I just hang up. Why would I
want to deal with any company that spams? I really don't understand
cold-calling, either. I am *very* unlikely to deal with someone who calls me
out of the blue. I'm far more inclined to respond to junk mail, and that's
pretty low on the list.

On 03 Aug 2012 22:09:58 GMT, FlavorFlav
wrote:

The spammers are now calling my cell phone.

I got a text the other day wanting to know if I had any "models"
(female) available. Now and then I get misdirected text. "Dad I will
be there in a hour."

I just delete them. I don't use text messages at all.
--

On Aug 3, 10:40*pm, AaronL wrote:
...snip....
On my Verizon cell account I'm allowed 5 blocked numbers. But the junk
calls I get are always from different numbers so this is no help for
me.
...snip...

The ONLY solution is to forget the concept of 'blocked' calls and
instead institute a system of 'allowed' calls.

Automatically add to the 'allowed' list any number to a call you made
and maybe allow a few area codes and prefixes.

On 8/3/2012 10:12 PM, Hell Toupee wrote:
On 8/3/2012 11:26 AM, Metspitzer wrote:
On Fri, 3 Aug 2012 11:11:11 -0400, "Roanin"
wrote:

We regret that we cannot assist you in stopping these calls, but we hope
that the information contained in this letter has better explained
the role
of the Ohio Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section.


Respectfully,

MIKE DEWINE
Attorney General of Ohio

I furnished my name and email to the National Do Not Call Registry at
least once a week for months listing the new numbers they use and the
times they called.

If the National Do Not Call Registry can't do anything about the
calls, it would be nice to get an email saying.........we feel your
pain, instead of just letting people file complaint after complaint.

Like the attorney general's letter said: the National Registry is
effective in stopping legitimate businesses, or even illegitimate ones,
who have a brick and mortar presence in this country. If they can be
located, they can be punished.

The problem is going after the people who aren't located in the US, or
who have no permanent presence here. They are nearly impossible to trace
and catch because they are constantly on the move and are concealing
their real identities and whereabouts. They don't need a physical
presence to convince you to give them your credit card numbers, SSN, and
bank account number, and that's what they're after when they phone you.

Not only are certain law enforcement agencies looking into this, so are
the fraud squads of nearly every major credit card company, because the
crooks are using their names and phone numbers to persuade people
they're legit.

Part of the investigation that my friend's husband is involved in is
just collecting bits and pieces of information from these calls and
putting them together to try and trace the perps. Everyone gets these
calls, so when the investigators get them, they play along, engage the
scammers in conversation, and ask certain innocuous-sounding questions.
They're gradually tracing these people that way, but it's slow and
frustrating, because as fast as you shut one down, three more go into
business. It's like whack-a-mole. It's also the phone equivalent of the
Nigerian emails.


If anyone out there, and I know there are, get these calls, just hang
up. You can't win.

Exactly. You can't stop the Nigerians, either. By the way, did you know
the Nigerian fraudsters have expanded their operations into the US? They
use Nigerian immigrants to the US, paying for their college education,
then have them get jobs in financial institutions. These people then
stole funds via electronic transactions and stole credit card and
banking data and sent it all to the gang. One of these rings was busted
in the Twin Cities last year.


I've won $2.5 million dollars twice in the last month.

They sounded like Nigerians and even gave me a phone number:
1-876-881-0225 to get back to them. Of course I called them crooks and
hung up.

Looking up the number, others had the same. The scam is to give them
money to release funds from customs. The second call, yesterday, they
said they were Publishers Central Clearing house.

Incredibly stupid but if one in 10,000 fall for it, it is probably worth
their time.

On Sat, 4 Aug 2012 07:37:05 -0700 (PDT), Robert Macy
wrote:

On Aug 3, 10:40*pm, AaronL wrote:
...snip....
On my Verizon cell account I'm allowed 5 blocked numbers. But the junk
calls I get are always from different numbers so this is no help for
me.
...snip...

The ONLY solution is to forget the concept of 'blocked' calls and
instead institute a system of 'allowed' calls.

A white-list.

Automatically add to the 'allowed' list any number to a call you made
and maybe allow a few area codes and prefixes.

How about businesses that may have to get in touch with you (your bank, VISA,
etc.)? Travelers? It's hard work keeping up a white-list and can cause all
sorts of problems.

On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 07:33:02 -0700, Oren wrote:

On 03 Aug 2012 22:09:58 GMT, FlavorFlav
wrote:

The spammers are now calling my cell phone.

I got a text the other day wanting to know if I had any "models"
(female) available. Now and then I get misdirected text. "Dad I will
be there in a hour."

I just delete them. I don't use text messages at all.

But they still cost you real money.

On 08/03/2012 11:39 AM, Bob F wrote:
Metspitzer wrote:

[snip]


An elderly person I know has a feature from the phone company that picks up each
call, telling the caller something like "this number does not accept
solicitation calls. If you are a solicitor, hang up now. Otherwise, hit 1 to
connect". The phone in her home does not ring until that key is hit.

Anyone have a way to do this with a modem?



I have just installed a device that does this. You have an option to let
it ring once (to allow caller ID) of no ring at all unless the caller
presses 1. The device is called "telebouncer" (
http://www.amazon.com/TeleBouncer-Bl...ds=telebouncer
).

--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us

"Marge, have you ever actually sat down and read this thing?
Technically, we're not even allowed to go to the bathroom." [Priest on
"The Simpson's"]

http://www.amazon.com/TeleBouncer-Bl...ds=telebouncer

On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 12:44:41 -0400, "
wrote:

On Sat, 4 Aug 2012 07:37:05 -0700 (PDT), Robert Macy
wrote:

On Aug 3, 10:40*pm, AaronL wrote:
...snip....
On my Verizon cell account I'm allowed 5 blocked numbers. But the junk
calls I get are always from different numbers so this is no help for
me.
...snip...

The ONLY solution is to forget the concept of 'blocked' calls and
instead institute a system of 'allowed' calls.

A white-list.

Automatically add to the 'allowed' list any number to a call you made
and maybe allow a few area codes and prefixes.

How about businesses that may have to get in touch with you (your bank, VISA,
etc.)? Travelers? It's hard work keeping up a white-list and can cause all
sorts of problems.

I always thought using white lists with email would be a good idea. I
still think it would be a good idea if email programs gave a
permission only option. If that ever caught on, I think it could also
be done with phones.

With email, anyone in your contacts would automatically pass. A reply
from anyone you sent an email to would pass.

For everyone else, you could use your first name for a password (or
anything else). Someone not on your list could put your first name in
the subject or body to pass.

Reject everything else.

On 8/4/2012 10:37 AM, Robert Macy wrote:
On Aug 3, 10:40 pm, AaronL wrote:
...snip....
On my Verizon cell account I'm allowed 5 blocked numbers. But the junk
calls I get are always from different numbers so this is no help for
me.
...snip...

The ONLY solution is to forget the concept of 'blocked' calls and
instead institute a system of 'allowed' calls.

Automatically add to the 'allowed' list any number to a call you made
and maybe allow a few area codes and prefixes.


One of the problems with a whitelist is that all of the planets need to
be aligned all of the time. So in the case of a whitelist how do you
allow for when someone you wish to "allow in" calls from a different
number?

A similar example. Friends have the reject unknown caller option set on
their line. They called me about something important while I was on the
road. I retrieved the voicemail and tried to call back only to keep
getting "this person does not accept blocked or unknown callers". I was
using my cell phone. I called another friend and he reported he wasn't
getting caller ID.

On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 10:28:33 -0400, "
wrote:

On Fri, 03 Aug 2012 22:40:22 -0700, AaronL wrote:

Look around the Verizon site. I have 1500/mo SMS service so my options
may be different than yours but there are a whole slew of SMS option
check boxes. I can opt out of premium texts, video, photos, and all
texts (though I'm not sure why I would want to do that). Two that
seemed to really cut down on my spam were opting out of texts
originating from email and the internet. I also turned off all
internet access on my wife's feature phone. Verizon's got a convoluted
site so dig around an you may find what you need.

But it costs something like $10/mo times two phones. Why should I pay
anything for spam SMS messages? $20 is also way more than I'm getting junk
SMSMs.

As I said your plan may be different. All those SMS blocks I mentioned
above are free on my account web page. I have one feature phone and
one smart phone. SMS only on the feature phone (since I can get free
Google SMS on the smart phone). My web account shows the same turn
offs for both phones. But of course YMMV.

On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 10:28:33 -0400, "
wrote:

On Fri, 03 Aug 2012 22:40:22 -0700, AaronL wrote:

On my Verizon cell account I'm allowed 5 blocked numbers. But the junk
calls I get are always from different numbers so this is no help for
me.

Exactly.

If you're using an Android smart phone there are several ring blocking
apps that turn off the ringer (not the call). That way at least you're
not disturbed and the call ends on its own. One (if I recall right)
you can turn off whole area codes which if you don't know anybody
there might be helpful. Though my spam calls differ in number they are
often from the same 300 or 600 area code. Currently I'm using an app
called Ring Manager which only lets certain numbers through, every
other number is blocked. Works for me since I only take calls from
family. But of course YMMV.

On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 12:45:20 -0400, "
wrote:

On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 07:33:02 -0700, Oren wrote:

On 03 Aug 2012 22:09:58 GMT, FlavorFlav
wrote:

The spammers are now calling my cell phone.

I got a text the other day wanting to know if I had any "models"
(female) available. Now and then I get misdirected text. "Dad I will
be there in a hour."

I just delete them. I don't use text messages at all.

But they still cost you real money.

I just got another text wanting to know if I have any
'lifeguard girls" or "model" numbers.

Fark 'em. I don't tell secrets :-\
--

On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 14:09:18 -0700, AaronL wrote:

On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 10:28:33 -0400, "
wrote:

On Fri, 03 Aug 2012 22:40:22 -0700, AaronL wrote:

Look around the Verizon site. I have 1500/mo SMS service so my options
may be different than yours but there are a whole slew of SMS option
check boxes. I can opt out of premium texts, video, photos, and all
texts (though I'm not sure why I would want to do that). Two that
seemed to really cut down on my spam were opting out of texts
originating from email and the internet. I also turned off all
internet access on my wife's feature phone. Verizon's got a convoluted
site so dig around an you may find what you need.

But it costs something like $10/mo times two phones. Why should I pay
anything for spam SMS messages? $20 is also way more than I'm getting junk
SMSMs.

As I said your plan may be different. All those SMS blocks I mentioned
above are free on my account web page. I have one feature phone and
one smart phone. SMS only on the feature phone (since I can get free
Google SMS on the smart phone). My web account shows the same turn
offs for both phones. But of course YMMV.

I don't have SMS service so each SMSM costs me something like $.10. They do
provide a blacklist service but that's useless and they expire in 60 days
(dumb).

On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 14:29:35 -0700, AaronL wrote:

On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 10:28:33 -0400, "
wrote:

On Fri, 03 Aug 2012 22:40:22 -0700, AaronL wrote:

On my Verizon cell account I'm allowed 5 blocked numbers. But the junk
calls I get are always from different numbers so this is no help for
me.

Exactly.

If you're using an Android smart phone there are several ring blocking
apps that turn off the ringer (not the call). That way at least you're
not disturbed and the call ends on its own. One (if I recall right)
you can turn off whole area codes which if you don't know anybody
there might be helpful. Though my spam calls differ in number they are
often from the same 300 or 600 area code. Currently I'm using an app
called Ring Manager which only lets certain numbers through, every
other number is blocked. Works for me since I only take calls from
family. But of course YMMV.

Doesn't help for SMS messages. They still cost real money.

On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 14:33:31 -0400, Metspitzer wrote:

On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 12:44:41 -0400, "
wrote:

On Sat, 4 Aug 2012 07:37:05 -0700 (PDT), Robert Macy
wrote:

On Aug 3, 10:40*pm, AaronL wrote:
...snip....
On my Verizon cell account I'm allowed 5 blocked numbers. But the junk
calls I get are always from different numbers so this is no help for
me.
...snip...

The ONLY solution is to forget the concept of 'blocked' calls and
instead institute a system of 'allowed' calls.

A white-list.

Automatically add to the 'allowed' list any number to a call you made
and maybe allow a few area codes and prefixes.

How about businesses that may have to get in touch with you (your bank, VISA,
etc.)? Travelers? It's hard work keeping up a white-list and can cause all
sorts of problems.

I always thought using white lists with email would be a good idea. I
still think it would be a good idea if email programs gave a
permission only option. If that ever caught on, I think it could also
be done with phones.

Sure, whitelisting emails is pretty easy. Any decent email program will have
filter capability.

With email, anyone in your contacts would automatically pass. A reply
from anyone you sent an email to would pass.

That's an easy filter to set up, sure.

For everyone else, you could use your first name for a password (or
anything else). Someone not on your list could put your first name in
the subject or body to pass.

Reject everything else.

Email is a little special in that it's rare to get unsolicited email from
someone I really want to converse with. Though I do get some. Phones are
different. For instance, emergency emails are pretty rare as are pay-email
stations. ;-)

On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 15:05:11 -0700, Oren wrote:

On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 12:45:20 -0400, "
wrote:

On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 07:33:02 -0700, Oren wrote:

On 03 Aug 2012 22:09:58 GMT, FlavorFlav
wrote:

The spammers are now calling my cell phone.

I got a text the other day wanting to know if I had any "models"
(female) available. Now and then I get misdirected text. "Dad I will
be there in a hour."

I just delete them. I don't use text messages at all.

But they still cost you real money.

I just got another text wanting to know if I have any
'lifeguard girls" or "model" numbers.

Fark 'em. I don't tell secrets :-\

"None over 18."

On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 18:43:02 -0400, "
wrote:

I don't have SMS service so each SMSM costs me something like $.10. They do
provide a blacklist service but that's useless and they expire in 60 days
(dumb).

I didn't subscribe to data service (internet) on my feature phone but
like your SMS problem every time it was accidentally used there was a
data charge. But I found that the Verizon site (my account - YMMV)
allowed me to completely turn off the data to that phone. Now no more
data charges.

Likewise there is a place (my account - YMMV) with several SMS
options, one of which is to completely turn off SMS service.

If I were you and couldn't find these options on your account I would
call them direct and get it done. I would be amazed if it can't be
done. But... if it can't, my next stop would be another carrier. I
certainly wouldn't put up with BS like that.

I understand that Page Plus (prepaid) uses the Verizon network and at
much better rates. Also you might stop by alt.celular.verizon. There's
several smart people (I'm not one) there who could probably advise on
more possible solutions.

Good luck.

On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 21:12:26 -0700, AaronL wrote:

On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 18:43:02 -0400, "
wrote:

I don't have SMS service so each SMSM costs me something like $.10. They do
provide a blacklist service but that's useless and they expire in 60 days
(dumb).

I didn't subscribe to data service (internet) on my feature phone but
like your SMS problem every time it was accidentally used there was a
data charge. But I found that the Verizon site (my account - YMMV)
allowed me to completely turn off the data to that phone. Now no more
data charges.

I have data but no SMS.

Likewise there is a place (my account - YMMV) with several SMS
options, one of which is to completely turn off SMS service.

Nope. Verizon was no help, either. Told SWMBO to just blacklist the sender
(no help at all).

If I were you and couldn't find these options on your account I would
call them direct and get it done. I would be amazed if it can't be
done. But... if it can't, my next stop would be another carrier. I
certainly wouldn't put up with BS like that.

BTDT. No help.

I understand that Page Plus (prepaid) uses the Verizon network and at
much better rates. Also you might stop by alt.celular.verizon. There's
several smart people (I'm not one) there who could probably advise on
more possible solutions.

I was about to switch to Page Plus but then decided to get a data plan. That
changed the calculus completely.

I have a rarely-used cell phone which I utilize to block
land-line (well, ATT Uverse) incoming calls.

I never had caller ID until UVerse, and found that it also
gives you a "caller forwarding" feature. Only 20 numbers
total, but that's a start. I didn't really want the numbers
"blocked" (with a message stating as much), but rather, I
just wanted to "aim them" to a number where they would
essentially "ring forever".

Since my cell phone is ALWAYS turned off (it's for emergency
and absolutely-necessary outgoing calls ONLY), when I get an
unwanted call, I ascertain its number with caller ID, and
then enter it into my specified call-forwarding log, with my
always-turned-off cell phone as the number.

Never hear from those callers again!

On Sun, 05 Aug 2012 10:19:35 -0400, John Albert
wrote:

when I get an
unwanted call, I ascertain its number with caller ID, and
then enter it into my specified call-forwarding log, with my
always-turned-off cell phone as the number.

Never hear from those callers again!

Wouldn't work for me since virtually all my spam calls are from
*different* numbers. One call from each number. So after awhile I got
tired of adding them to the black list. I read that these are probably
robo-dialed with munged caller IDs using voip from out of country and
there currently appears to be little defense either legally or
technically.

My solution was to use a white list Android app with all other numbers
banned but that likely wouldn't work for most people.

On 08/04/2012 11:33 AM, Metspitzer wrote:

I always thought using white lists with email would be a good idea. I
still think it would be a good idea if email programs gave a
permission only option. If that ever caught on, I think it could also
be done with phones.

With email, anyone in your contacts would automatically pass. A reply
from anyone you sent an email to would pass.

For everyone else, you could use your first name for a password (or
anything else). Someone not on your list could put your first name in
the subject or body to pass.

Reject everything else.

I find it's far easier to just use a dedicated email account that is
only used by family and friends, and a few throw-aways for
everyone/everything else.

I've been doing it this way for a decade or so now, and I just don't get
any SPAM in my real accounts anymore.

Jon

On 08/03/2012 04:47 PM, zzzzzzzzzz wrote:
On 03 Aug 2012 22:09:58 GMT, FlavorFlav wrote:

The spammers are now calling my cell phone. There was no instruction on
the phone how to block calls. I finally found that if I put the callers
into a group I don't use (school), then I block the entire school group.
My phone never rings from them. They rarely leave a VM. Of course I have
to wait for the spammers to first call so I can get their phone numbers.
They are in the contact list as Z unk1, Z unk 2....and so forth. So far I
have 11 of them.

The problem with blacklisting is that you have to do it for each number. SWMBO
as problems with SMS spam. She can log onto our Verizon account and block the
number (only lasts three months, or something) but there is no way to opt out
of all SMS service. We don't like paying the $.10 per spam but there is no
way to block it.

Call up Verizon and tell them you would like to cancel your service.
When they send you to the department that tries to convince you to
stay, tell them that you are cancelling your service because you refuse
to pay for unsolicited SMS messages.

They will fix the problem for you.

Jon