Paul, never, never press 9 to be placed on their do not call list.  All this does is tell the spammer that they reached a live number with a live person.  The spammer will then sell your number to other spammers and you'll get more junk calls.  Best bet is, if you don't recognize a number, don't answer it.

That is correct Ed.

I didn't answer the call...although....an answering machine "looks" the same to the predictive dialer equipment as does someone picking up the phone and saying "hello".

If the dialer hears those three familiar tones generated by the LEC if you call a disconnected telephone number, that number should....at that point....be dropped from the database.

I pressed *67 before the rest of the number when making my return test call to hide my phone number from whatever equipment is being used to answer incoming calls.

Didn't answer. Caller ID on cell said call was from Auburn, MA. I wonder if it was the guy with the nice singing voice that I've annoyed in the past?

I did not answer. I placed on comcast blocklist.

Had a recent death in the family. This number has called several times, leaves no message. Caller ID reads "Final Expense." I blocked the number at this point.