We have been getting threatening phone calls from a very poorly speaking English person on this issue. Hubby just hangs up on them. Number of bogus robo calls has increased a lot in the last year.
Last year we signed up for “nomorobo” and they have virtually eliminated these types of calls. I have no idea of their business model, but they have certainly almost eliminated dinner-time interruptions and credit card service calls.
Nomorobo is great ... if it works with your phone setup - doesn’t work for everyone.
The BEST and I do mean BEST $100 we have spent in recent years has been for a Digitone call blocker. My folks are elderly & appear to be on every scam phone list there is .... last week, we got 10 scam calls in one day. With the Digitone, the calls are all blocked. The new model will block 1,000 numbers; however, I have ours set up to block everything - that way, the ‘stray’ calls from many different states do not get through. When you block everything, you then invite who you want to talk to. Our local area code is invited (friends, doctors, family, church, etc.) & I can block troublesome individual numbers or exchanges within that area code. I also can invite family/friends who live out of state. It works like a charm (first ring suppressed so you don’t hear it, hangs up on them on the second ring - works by using caller ID - can block by number or now, by name). The numbers blocked show up on the Call Blocker so you can make sure you’re not blocking anyone you want to talk to & you can see all the scammers that are getting hung up on. :-)
In general, if you get a call & you don’t know who it is, just put the number in your browser (I use bing) & look for any 800notes or Mr. Number comments .... you can easily identify most scam numbers this way if you’re curious. We have gotten the IRS call, this is Microsoft & your computer has a virus, this is Lisa with Green study & if you take our survey you’ll get a free cruise, we are calling because the back/knee/whatever brace you called us about is ready to ship, etc. etc.
http://www.digitone.com/Digitone%20ProSeries%20Blocker%20FAQ.htm