its 9:20 am and call from strange man saying hi.

Another scam no doubt! I got the same message Thursday, 2-11-10, on my cell phone. I called the number that was shown on caller id, but got the "not in service" message. I also have been receiving calls, & e-mails regarding large sums of money "available".
I've filed both home and cell numbers with state and national no-call lists, but these "a**holes" keep getting through. Thankfully the answering machine does a great job at screening for me. But now, I really hesitant to pick-up the phone. I'd really like to get these clowns -- legally, & burn them good!! But I'm sure they're probably just on the inside of being legal....

You can program your phone not to ring when that number calls and it will go to voice mail. Delete the message later when you check your mail.

i wish he would stop calling my cell phone. im not sure how they got it. i dont own a home let alone have a credit card.

yeah same here. a guy said hi then hung up.

got a call left no message im in virginia though not MN.

Okay, same thing here... I'm from Massachusetts. My number is unlisted, restricted and I recently changed it as of last Saturday. Got a call 10 minutes ago from the 573-373-2197 number. He said "Hi" and hung up... when I called back it was a strange busy signal and then on the final call a weird fax noise and "disconnected" message.

Something is not right here. Don't call the number back. It would appear as though that is what this individual wants us to do and I'm worried about the reason why. The noise on the end was suspicious. Call your carrier- block the number and monitor your account info carefully!

This number called me and left a message on my voicemail. The message was "881" in a computery voice. Weird.

Got the same message at my business phone...caller id said 573-373-2197 gave his name as Brian Stevens...with 888-442-0881 as the call back. I dialed the 573 number and get a fast busy.
What i would suggest is dialing the 888 number repeatedly and tie up all their lines. It's a free call so if you have some free time dial away.

Rec'd a call from this # where I work today at 3:23 PM.  Same thing, Hello, a period of silence then a dial tone. I wish there was something more in this day and age of technology that could be done about these people.  NOT because he hung up on me, that doesn't hurt my feelings.  It's the scams that bother me.  Everytime I suspect I have rec'd a scam call at work, I ck it on line like this one, and usually find a board like this.  Telemarketing is one thing, falsifying identity to obtain personal info from people is something different.  With all of the documentation and proof we provide on boards like this and all the id theft today, maybe a necessity for getting control of the situation will soon be better realized by the proper authorities.

I answered "hello," male voice said "hello" then they disconnected.

Just got this too, I don't even have a credit card.  Missed the call so I got the voicemail already listed.

call came @ 3:14 central time. i don't give my cell # out. I don't know why they would call just to say "hi."

got a call from 573-373-2197 same message left on my voice mail on cell phone.  he is calling all over I'm from MN.

Just got this call on my cell - male said hi and then nothing.

Called my cell phone and left no message.

This number came into our office located in Kansas City, MO today (Feb. 11th, 2010) at 2:25pm.  The guy was really hard to hear...Sounded like the call was breaking up a bit.  I kept saying hello and asking if he could hear me...Now I'm wondering if he, like the callers before, said "Hi!" and hung up.

same here, quite annoying.

I got the same extensive message as listed above. I never spoke with this guy and will not return the call. The call came in on my business cell phone

the idiot just said hi and hung up

Just got a call on my cell phone at 1:57pm from this number.  Caller ID identified the call originating in Missouri.  I don't answer calls from unknown callers.  For the first time since I've been ignoring these unknown caller calls, one minute later I got a voice message from this number.  A male voice saying, "Uhhhh, this will be the last courtesy call that I will make .... You can reach me here at 1-888-442-0881, again that is toll free ...."  I checked out the 888 number which also originated in Missouri.  I didn't return the call.  There are too many of these scam artists operating.  I not only pay for answering the received call, but also would pay to call thee 888 number on my cell phone.  I wish that the FCC, and maybe the FBI, would crack down on these annoying and possibly dangerous callers.

Received a similar call to a cell phone that is listed on Do Not Call list. He started in saying he could lower interest rate did not say who he was representing. Not sure if it is related to home mortgage, credit card or what. Mentioned that is was last courtesy call. Hope that part is correct at least. Left same toll free number 888-442-0881 as prior responses. I will not call back to someone who does not even mention company they represent.

Just got this call, a man said hello and hung up. I tried calling back and just got a busy signal. WTF?

I got the same call.  Some jerk that doesn't know any other word than "Hi."

Call to me cell phone a guy saying..." yeah, a hi......" then nothing

Just got the phone call, with the guy saying Hi. I hung up and looked up the phone number. That's the problem with no long distance bill, just random people calling numbers and not paying a higher phone bill for it. My guess is that he's bored and just learned how to use a phone.

Ya, I traced the number this morning, I got the same thing. Strange.
Does he get a kick out of being annoying? I mean, honestly, "Hi" is such a THRILLING word . . .

I just received a call from this number and the guy said HI and hung up....

Have been getting text messages in spanish from a 202 number/person that I do not know.  When I had my friend respond in spanish we got a call within 5 minutes from 573-373-2197.  Male voice on other end, hung up.  We called back and person blocked my number.  Anyone else getting strange texts?

Same thing here - "hi" then hung up.