May 9, 2013
Got one too. I have adopted a "zero tolerance" policy with any calls that have "not provided", "unknown", "unknown caller", "Anonymous", "Name Withheld", or any variation of the above. I used to allow my answering machine to deal with them, but they seldom leave a message, or sometimes use a noise generator to try to fill up the machine. Now, I simply look at the caller ID, and if it says any of the above, I pick-up long enough to complete the call (1 sec.) and then promptly hang-up. They get charged for a completed call, and I don't have to listen to the phone ring. Then I come here and look-up the number. I am amazed at the amount crap I have avoided with this method. This method works, there is nothing they can do about it, and it is imensely satisfying to run up their bill. Repeat as often as necessary. :-) Note: I have noticed lately that I am getting a lot of out-of-area-code calls from (purportedly) cell phones. These come up as "New york Call", Etc. I'm still letting the answering machine handle these. I never get a message, and still look them up here. It's the usuall suspects, still trying to hide their identity. Do this for any suspicious call you do not recognise. Keep a list, and use the pick-up - hang-up on them too!!! :-)