I have adopted the same strategy of not answering anything unfamiliar appearing on caller ID.  An important point -- I do not let even the answering machine answer, either, because even a connection to the answering machine indicates to the caller (or the caller's dialing computer) that a connection to my phone number HAS been made, and that therefore it is a valid and working number.

If I am going out, I unplug the answering machine.  Upon arriving home, I check the caller ID log on another phone, to see who has called in my absence.  Callers I recognize, I call back.  (They're not getting a callback any quicker than if they HAD been able to leave a message.)

I figure any legitimate caller, whom I might not recognize, will be trying again, and at that point I can make a decision about whether to answer this time (after I've had a chance to Google the number after the first call, to see whether any information about it appears at a site like this).

I realize this strategy will not work for cell phones, where you can't "unplug" the voice mail feature.  (Perhaps there are some models that allow you to do this anytime you want, but I am unfamiliar with them.)

At first I thought the strategy was working beautifully, as "There is only ONE defense" suggests above, but the number of calls has increased more recently.  Nothing like in the past, though.

DO NOT CALL

?????????

That is just not true.  I never answer the calls and within a month, I have over 80 calls.  Not answering does not stop them.  Luckily I have a Pro Call Blocker and can block over 1500 of them.  It is a fact that if they are legit, they will leave a message.

People, get a call blocking program I use Phone Tray Pro and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. It's easy to use, has no limits to the # of calls you can block...gives you all kinds of options as to what they'll hear...a fast busy sound, your choice of recordings that are worded like the real ones like, "3-tones...The number you have dialed is not a working number. Please be sure you have the right number and have dialed it correctly." Or: The number you called has been disconnected. And about 8 or 10 more. It's GREAT!!

That was great advice to all people.
I use the same method. If you do not recognize the number, Just don't answer.
If its important enough, they will leave a message.
Otherwise the hell with them.

They called at 7:36 PM PST on 9/25.

Got a message I could hardly understand .  Something about a security system.  I told them we already have one and hung up.  I suspect it's another phone scam.

Blocking their number really doesn't do any good. They just change numbers and call again. I do one of two things. I either answer and then blow a penny whistle in the phone or I let my fax machine get it. I trade off to keep them on their toes. Don't let them get your goat. Play your own game and have fun with it. Life's way too short to let scum get to you.

Leave us alone.

No message left by this unknown caller... You always know they are scam callers if they don't leave a message...

These jackwagons continue to call now something with growing your small business.
Company Name: Zoomus
Never heard of them never done business with them.

they are an SEO type company.  

This Business is not BBB accredited
Zoomus LLC
Phone: (201) 355-1600
Fax: (201) 935-5062 1099 Wall St W Ste 100,
Lyndhurst, NJ 07071
frank@zoomus.com  
http://www.zoomus.com

The idiot caller said I won a security system. I told him I never enter contests so get me off his call list. He asked for more time. I said you can have all the time you want after the click.

Answered phone from number 7022976143.  No one there at first, but could hear stuff.  Finally someone says I get a free security system.  I ask for her supervisor.  She go if it's to get off our calling list I can do that.  I asked name of company-SDS Home Security Services.  Told her I'm on the Do Not Call list and going to report them. Then hung up.  got online and reported them.  Tired of the calls.

They also show up on the CallerID as "Private"...they always ask for a name that isn't mine. I tell them they have the wrong no. & that I don't accept marketing calls, then I hang up. Of course, they cont. to call. Be carefful as they can block their number, to fool you!

The guy barely spoke English-I told him I am on the Do NOt Call list and asked for his supervisor as he continued to persist in selling me something. Got his supervisor who claims he has a calling list and my # is not on the Do not call registry and I have to register quarterly - that is NOT true; I re-verified my # is on there. He claims he will take me off their list but I also reported him on the do not call.gov site - alot of good that does!   He claimed he was in Dallas TX when I asked what country he was in...HA!   Very annoying!

i ahve my own home security system thank you

two wolves...HUNGRY and me with a semi auto shotgun with a 50 round drum..and i am home all day long

go ahead come on by and try to install anything

I could barely hear the caller, the line was full of static. He said he wasn't trying to sell anything (yeah, right!), just wanted to talk to me about my alarm system. "You do have an alarm system, don't you?" As if I would tell him. He got told, "Get lost, don't call again." and I hung up on him. Probably some junk telemarketer.

He said the name of his company, but again, the call was so full of static, I couldn't really hear what he said.

I keep getting calls from this number.  I let the answer machine pick it up. They never leave a message.  Im so sick of these people calling my phone.  I am on the no call list.

Two messages today...they didn't realize the machine picked up and kept saying "hello, hello...is there anyone there?"  Finally asked to talk to me, at least they got the first name right.  Last name not too hard to pronounce but they messed it up BADLY!  Wonder if they'll keep trying...

They are not trying to sell anything..... They are trying to get your personal information. IF They know your name it's because you have given it to one of these ignorant b-turds and they sell that info to make money.

Only ONE answer....... get a call blocking device and when you determine that you don't want to hear from a certain number BLOCK THEM. The call rings a half ring and no more.

I use a HP OfficeJet Pro L7680 All-in-One. It blocks 100 numbers. When it gets full I delete the oldest ones, maybe 10 or 15, then add the newer ones...

Don't give them ANY INFO!!! Or make up a phoney one just for laughs. Tell them you're on welfare! That works good for info sellers..... Have fun with them. Don't get mad!! Then they win.......

Keep receiving calls - am on Do Not Call List

oh, gee. So lucky to be selected "third and final attempt to contact business owner... business of the month. Absolute scam.

they keep calling but there is no answer, but the line isn't dead.  Someone is there but not talking.  Can't count how many times

Just got another call from these people (the 2nd today). It's pointless to answer or ignore these calls. They will just keep calling. Get a phone number blocker device (I got mine from Amazon) and when they call again you just select the number from the device and block it for good.

They will likely start using another number the next time and you will have to block that one the same way until you catch all of their numbers. Since consumers seem to have no rights anymore this is all that we can do to have peace in our lives again. Where is the law? People are getting scammed like never before and no-one seems to be defending the innocent. What a shame.

If this number is from a home protection service rather than the usual medical alert businesses that call daily, I can't afford monthly payments as a very low income person on social security retirement as my only guaranteed income. Wish they'd stop calling. These calls have been going on for a long time and are daily, several times a day.

Got a call from 702-297-6143 at 3 PM. They keep calling us daily. I'm on the do not call list. The same senior medical alert system campaign keeps calling over and over. How do I make them stop calling? I don't answer the phone. These firms selling medical alert systems to people on a senior list are calling several times daily. There is more than one phone number calling. The other comes from Niagara, NY. It's so bad I have to leave the phone off the hook all day to stop the annoying calls. The ringing is constant from these companies, all telemarketing medical alert devices. If I ever get old enough to need one, I'll buy it from my health care provider or a store, not from someone calling on the phone. Besides, I can't afford one as they all require monthly payments which is prohibitive for people living on tiny social security retirement incomes.

Trying to sell security systems...  I'm on the DNC list and I have asked them to stop calling yet they keep calling!  File a complaint here:

https://complaints.donotcall.gov/complaint/complaintcheck.aspx

See http://telemarketerspam.wordpress.com/2012/10/08/pacific-telecoms-robo-call-revenue-sharing-scheme-revealed/ to understand all those calls.  I found this site by googling "north Dakota lawsuit robo call pacific" - some of these callers are making money off you and you don't even know it.

Repetitive calling.  I do not answer unknown callers (very thankful for caller ID).