Every Thursday, when I put the garbage out...

[LuckyCharms]

I have a routine where I go to each of the three landline phones and clear out the "call log" on each phone.

This past Thursday, I had to clear out 67 calls from each phone. That is 7 days worth of spam calls.

I went through a period where I would answer the calls and fuck with them, but I soon grew bored of that. Now, I just let the answering machine get them...and I also have to clear out the messages on the answering machine on a weekly basis too.

I have reasons for wanting to keep a landline. So many people have that number, (especially medical professionals), that it would be a burden to get rid of the landline.

Additionally, I can't turn the ringer off on those phones. The best I can do is to turn the ringer to low.

Trying to take a nap? Forget about it. The phone rings all day. Every day.

Waiting for an important call? That means you have to look and see who it is before deciding whether to answer...thus, interrupting your day.

Each and every one of these spam calls are "we've reviewed your loan application and we just need a few more details".

I haven't applied for a loan.

All the calls are from spoofed local numbers.

This shit is becoming an actual problem.

I refuse to believe that we don't have the technology to fix this. But I guess nobody has the will to do it.

[TommieMommy]

1. I agree with you. The spam calls are so annoying.

[Donkees]

2. ''I can't turn the ringer off on those phones.''

Splicing a toggle switch on to the red wire allows you to shut off ringer whenever you want

[LuckyCharms]

5. I guess I could, but then...

I would miss the calls that I'm actually waiting for.

[erronis]

3. I get 1-2 spam calls (or texts) per week.

I have two phone #s that both ring through to the same cell phone. One I've had for 20+ years from where I used to live and the other a local#.

I do add calls to my block list. It is probably around 400-500 in length - but I only have to do this once or twice a week now.

Perhaps my carrier (Verizon) is doing a lot of blocking for me. My second # is via google voice.

[debm55]

4. Thank you, LuckyCharms, it is getting very annoying.

[multigraincracker]

6. Thinking about changing the number on my cell phone.

Has a phone # from where I haven't lived in 12 years and 90% of those spam calls are from there. All with spoofed phone numbers. It'll be a pain to change it, but thinking about a new cell phone and may do it when I get the new phone.

[marked50]

7. You've descirbed perfectly what we have been going through.

Started maybe 2 months ago. Initially we picked up the phone and the spoof was about some senior thing, like medicare .

Our thought is that if it's important, or a call we may be waiting for they will leave a message. We can turn off our ringer for some peace time.

When we check for messages we pretty much delete the ones that are less than 10 seconds.

When we are expecting an urgent call we monior the incoming phone number, if it's obvious sproof (experience with the Area code thing and most prefixes) we just let it go to machine or pickup and hangup.

Many of our personal contacts are on our phone list and they show up with their names.

Good Luck LuckyCharms