Robo calls

[Tetsuwan Penguin]

We've been getting a TON of 'robo calls' on our home phone lately. Most are pre-recorded messages trying to sell something, or boiler rooms trying to scam something. Then there are those that don't answer, just dead air and a hangup (WTF?)

I'd like to figure out a way to have my answering machine pre-screen these junk calls and reply with a message "If you're a robot and your name isn't , HANG UP -- I DON'T WANT TO TALK WITH YOU!"

[jeffbert]

[Shiyonasan]

My parents get robo calls quite often on their landline phone. They'll get a call, but then after their answering machine message, there will either be silence or the hang up sound for a few seconds before cutting off. The same happens whenever one of my parents answers the phone.

I mean, what's the point of calling if you're not even going to leave a message?

[Tetsuwan Penguin]

Astro: (catching Atlas in a phone booth) "Hey Atlas, what are you doing?"
Atlas: "Making prank calls to Tokugawa." (hangs up and dials again)
Astro: "But you're not saying anything."
Atlas: "I know. Sometimes I breath hard into the phone or burp. It bugs the hell out of him."

[Shiyonasan]

Astro: (catching Atlas in a phone booth) "Hey Atlas, what are you doing?"
Atlas: "Making prank calls to Tokugawa." (hangs up and dials again)
Astro: "But you're not saying anything."
Atlas: "I know. Sometimes I breath hard into the phone or burp. It bugs the hell out of him."

This explains everything. Atlas must be prank calling you and my parents' landlines as well...

I could see Uran prank calling people too.

[Earthshine]

I keep getting a robot calling my phone trying to sell me "male enhancement" drugs hmy:

Atlas sure has a sense of humor

[Shiyonasan]

I keep getting a robot calling my phone trying to sell me "male enhancement" drugs hmy:

Atlas sure has a sense of humor

Oh, that witty Atlas...

I wonder if this is the Atlas from Astro Boy Reboot that's prank calling us. I'm sure Astro will take care of him and his prank calling ways soon.

[diehard67]

I get em on my cell phone sometimes, mariot hotel or the ship fog horn, the Canadian government has a do not call list that helps reducing them.