Do not answer calls from unknown numbers

[bjcheung77]

Hello Everyone,

This is just a friendly reminder not to take any calls from unknown numbers.
My Caller ID just showed the 5-6 digit number 051913 and I was curious what it was.
Apparently, it's some fake company phishing for info, or trying to hack your pc.

They say they're calling from MicroSoft and they have my info, they needed to check my system or the system has a virus and they would like to fix my issue for me.

I pretty much blabbed I had connection issues and couldn't hear them and hung up.
So, don't fall for that trick, they will say you've got a virus and to run an application to fix it, that application will damage your computer!

Regards, Bjcheung77

[davewill]

Yeah, I usually ignore anything I don't recognize. Unfortunately, I've lately been getting calls that just keep repeating on a daily basis unless I finally answer and chew them out. At first it was just collection agencies (downside of having a very common name, you keep getting other people's problems). Now the solar salesmen seem to have glommed onto it. Seems to be a new tactic to overcome Caller Id screening. It's exasperating.

[Nixi]

Yeah, I usually ignore anything I don't recognize. Unfortunately, I've lately been getting calls that just keep repeating on a daily basis unless I finally answer and chew them out. At first it was just collection agencies (downside of having a very common name, you keep getting other people's problems). Now the solar salesmen seem to have glommed onto it. Seems to be a new tactic to overcome Caller Id screening. It's exasperating.

Ever since switching to a new number I've gotten a lot of annoying calls from telemarketers--I've slowly been adding each number to my phone's call blocking list and that's greatly helped. Any time I get an unknown caller now (which thankfully is rare), I just ignore it, because if it's important then someone will leave a voicemail.

[dfrecore]

Ever since switching to a new number I've gotten a lot of annoying calls from telemarketers--I've slowly been adding each number to my phone's call blocking list and that's greatly helped. Any time I get an unknown caller now (which thankfully is rare), I just ignore it, because if it's important then someone will leave a voicemail.

Yes, blocking is the best way to take care of it. I answer once, tell them to take me off their list, and then block the number.

[kb4ns1]

I don't usually want to answer the phone when people I DO know call. I sure as heck ain't answering for callers I don't!

[jawbreakingrr]

There are tons of scams out there. These robo calls are truly annoying. If you don't answer one number, another similar one calls a few hours later. Just remember not to give away your personal information. Tons of scammers. I loved when the FBI was calling me. The male leaving me voice messages was hard to understand and the connection was bad. I'm sure if the FBI wants to talk to you, it would be in person.

[Johann]

I've had the bogus "Microsoft" calls for a long time. The callers all sound Indian but say they're from Microsoft and use Western names like "Jack" or "David." I knew the very first time it was a phony because back then, I had a computer, but no Internet connection at home.

We also get a lot of phony "tax fraud investigation" calls, here in Canada. I believe you get the same in the U.S. The callers claim to be Tax investigators and demand you call a certain number right away. If you do call (don't) they say you've been caught cheating and demand anywhere from $500 to $15,000 or it's jail time. Your credit card will do nicely.

The last "Tax" impostor who called me said his name was Officer Dan Murphy, but he, too, had a strong Indian accent. I think non-Indians are probably behind these frauds. It's just that one can get mass phone calls made so easily and cheaply from there. Call centres are a big industry. The Chief Fraudsters probably hire the most unscrupulous Indian outfits to make the calls for a piece of the action.

J.

[Hunter91]

Another reason not to answer unknown numbers is in case you shoot out your resume to 20 different companies and you end up forgetting you applied to one until the moment they call you. Better to let it go to voicemail and give them a call back so you're not caught off guard and you'll have time to better prepare a response.

[bjcheung77]

*sigh* They've got my cell phone number too and I always get these promotional texts for something.
It's so weird, cell phone companies make $ off you, I wonder how the cell phone company can do this!
They're like selling our info and reaping $ from us, yet charging us fees for use!

[dfrecore]

I just answered a call from an unknown number, and thank goodness I did, because it was the passport scheduling office calling me to schedule at our local post office. There is literally no way to get in touch with them except to call, leave your info for them to call you back, and then wait for a return call! And because the schedule is weeks out, we are cutting it close on being able to get it in time without having to pay a ginormous fee to get them expedited!!