[silverado4]

We have been bothered by "unknown caller" on our caller i.d. When we pick up the phone it is just a "busy" signal. I think they are trying to get us to use *69 to call them back, and it may be a long distant call. Does anyone know how to stop these type of calls coming in? I tried *77, I was told this would stop it, but it doesn't, and *87 would resume it again.
I have "packet8" cable phone, they can't help either. This is so annoying, this should be outlawed, and only numbers come in so I can block it. Thanks

[cwwozniak]

Originally Posted by silverado4

it may be a long distant call.

Sorry if this is a dumb question but I am not familiar with packet8. Doesn't your caller ID show the number that called along with the "unknown caller" information?

If it does show a number, try a Google search for it.

[silverado4]

No, It just shows the "unknown caller", it does not show any number, I wish it did. Packet8 is a cable phone co. that charges $199 a year, thats all, plus about $4.00 a month (taxes). I never had a problem with them. I never get a phone bill, just once a year charge for $199. I love it. I used to have Sun Rocket, but they went out of business.

[Wino]

Don't pickup the phone for 'unknown' or 'out of area'. If it's important (and I presume you have voice mail), they will leave a message. If not, don't worry about it. There is no law saying you HAVE TO answer your phone.

[NICK G]

I never answer "unknown caller" or "blocked ID" calls.
Guess what? My VA (Veterans Administration) calls me with "unknown caller" reminding
me of appointments and the likes. Luckily they leave a voice mail. That's weird.
Everyone else who chooses not to be identified can talk to my message center also.

[JohnWill]

Almost all VoIP services have anonymous call blocking, why not enable that?

[PEBKACRTM]

That tends to be the debt collection line for various creditors. Wells Fargo is notorious for this as is AT&T. It's a flaw in the auto-dialing system. If there is anyone you think you may owe money to, I'd bet it's them. Give all your creditors a call and see if any are trying to locate you for anything. Run your credit as well and you may find the culprit (although that would depend on how long they've been trying to get in touch with you) Aside from that, not too much you can do about it. Eventually, they tend to give up and transfer your debt to a different department and that gets you off their bad dialer. Had the same thing happen to me before. Ended up being a bill collector looking for the person who had the phone number before me. Threatened them with legal action (once I actually got someone on the line!) and they stopped calling.

Now, if you want to hear something REALLY weird, I keep getting calls with caller ID saying it's coming FROM directory assistance in Hawaii (808) 555-1212 and, of course, they never leave a message. I swear, the lengths people go to to try to block their number!

[JohnWill]

I'd just block the call. If it's a debt collection agency, they can send a certified letter if they want to communicate with me.

It's far more likely to be telemarketers.

[PEBKACRTM]

Hee hee. I hear ya. Just keep in mind, they don't have to send a certified letter before they SUE you and service of process is good whether you physically accept it or not. May be better to handle things before they get too far gone

[n2gun]

I block all anonymous calls and my service forwards them to a message that tells them i do not accept them.

[JohnWill]

Sorry, but I don't accept anonymous calls. A telephone call has no standing legally, and anyone that sues you without any notice will probably lose the case anyway. I'm not losing any sleep about blocking anonymous phone calls.

[PEBKACRTM]

I wasnt saying yay or nay to accepting annonymous calls. I was just giving the poster something to think about since the pattern sounds familiar for debt collectors. May be one, may not be. I know of hundreds of people who have received default judgments against them without ever even being aware of the suit (I'm in the legal field) which is why I always suggest being proactive. Nothing wrong with blocking anonymous callers.

[JohnWill]

Since I have no debt's outstanding, I'm not worried. And I also have free legal help available for those times when idiots have the temerity to file lawsuits that have no merit against me.

[Soundy]

Our telco (Telus) has an option - and most others probably do as well - where if a caller has their number blocked, they'll get a message that "this person does not accept calls from unknown numbers; please press ### (don't recall the exact sequence) before dialing to unblock your number". If the person still wants to get through, they dial that code, then my number, and their number is unblocked for that call. The name may still come up a "unknown" or "anonymous" or whatever, but at least I can see the number.

[NICK G]

I'm in a better position than some. I'm single and retired. No phone call is important to me.
I usually have my cell off. I merely check my messages occasionally.
My recorded message is:
"I may be available but do not wish to talk to a couple people.
Leave your name and number and if I don't call back, you're one of them."
beeeeeep