I got a call from this number and didn't leave a message. And even called a prepaid number.

I don't answer unknown numbers. My husband called it and it said "this number can not be complead as diled." I wish they would stop calling.

We never answer or try to call back any of these scambags and yet our number has been passed around so many times over the last 4 years that our call blocker that blocks 80 numbers or area codes repeatedly gets full so we have to erase old numbers to make room for new ones. So I fail to see where not answering gains anything. Please explain.

Is there an automatic answer from your number? That's not much different than you actually answering the numbers--they know for certain your number works now. That's all they need to pass your number along. After calling your number enough times and getting absolutely nothing from it, they often get tired of wasting time and move on. I wouldn't see how there's anything to pass along for numbers that have no answer.

We do use an answering machine. The scammers never leave a message. We block their number right away. It's my understanding that when they call again they get a few moments of silence, then are disconnected. How many times will they let it ring if nobody answers? It would drive us crazy if it was huge especially early in the morning or while trying to watch tv in the evening. And we need the answering machine for "real" messages. I guess we're doomed to a life of telemarketers.