Stop the calls
May 19, 2009 9:34 AM   Subscribe

How do I stop getting a scam(?) call daily on my cell phone from a number in New York?

Phone: iPhone 3G. Provider: AT&T. My location: Texas.

The call comes from (646) 383-1472. Sometimes there is no message. Sometimes there is a few seconds of silence on the voicemail. I never answer.

A little googling tells me that this is apparently a common spam/scam number and possibly spoofed. The best I could tell from the all caps-frustration on a few websites is that it may be some sort of debt collection scam and that the number through NY may be spoofed from a company in Florida.

So, what to do to stop it? Anyone have experience with this? Is there any downside to answering the call (e.g., like validating to spammers that the call will be answered)? I'm comfortable with throwing down some prosecutorial intimidation; but I don't want to increase the calls by answering.

Can the number be simply blocked? I guess I can put my number on the Do Not Call list, but if this is an illegal scam, would they even abide by the DNC list rules? (Putting aside my un-confirmed paranoid suspicion that the DNC list is a honeypot for scammers).

Thanks.
posted by dios to Technology (7 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
Response by poster: Note: I'm not interested in any revenge scenarios. I just want it stopped.
posted by dios at 9:36 AM on May 19, 2009




I would go the DNC route anyways, even if the number is spoofed, I file a complaint and let the FTC/FCC deal with investigating and finding the real perpetrators. Thats what they get paid to do.
posted by SirOmega at 9:50 AM on May 19, 2009


It's already illegal to make automated telemarketing calls to cellular telephones. I usually just file a complaint with the FCC.
posted by Liver at 9:50 AM on May 19, 2009


whocalled.us
posted by rhizome at 10:06 AM on May 19, 2009


There's no "just drop all calls from this number" option in the iPhone software, but there really should be.

In the meantime, whenever I get a call from some telemarketer, I just add their number to the "Another Telemarketer" entry in my address book... which has a custom ring tone that's a half-second of silence. At least that way they're easier to ignore.

(That guy has about 19 phone numbers already.)
posted by rokusan at 10:18 AM on May 19, 2009


I got on the Do Not Call list recently, and all my spam/scam calls stopped within two weeks. It was awesome.
posted by Jon_Evil at 11:27 AM on May 19, 2009


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