I'm pretty new to telephone caller ID - what does an 11 digit phone number mean?

[Siwsan]

Twice in the last few minutes I've gotten a call from the same extra long number. It shows up in the name section as an 11 digit number, and in the phone number section with 12 (a 1 in front of the other 11 digits). Is this just a real "clue" that it is a telemarketer or scammer? Weird. I'm glued to the phone, in case my niece or nephew, in Florida, try to call so I really don't need these strange numbers showing up!

[RKP5637]

1. Can't you just google it to see what it might be. That's what I do with strange numbers. n/t

[Siwsan]

5. I do that, too, with regular length numbers - this one doesn't 'register'

It just says it is unknown. I guess I'll just assume it's someone calling from somewhere in East Asia, to tell me he need access to my computer so he can fix my 'windows' problem. Not a good day for someone to be causing me phone agro.

[RKP5637]

7. Yep! Very likely! n/t

[Sophiegirl]

2. International call

International calls require a country code that is 3 digits.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

3. It's an international number.

Here's a link to some information about international phone codes.

https://www.studyabroad.com/resources/international-calling-codes

[Me.]

4. Scam/Telemarketer

Don't answer and if by chance you do, do not respond to any questions that require a yes answer. Best to just hang up.

[Siwsan]

8. I've leaned if I don't recognize the name/number, let it go to voice mail

I get so many of these pest calls, I've started keeping a list and looking them up. It's amazing how many come from what looks like legitimate sources, but NOBODY ever leaves a message. I've learned about 'number spoofing' and it is most aggravating!!

[Fla Dem]

17. Yup, me too. If it's someone who really needs to get to me they'll call back.

Then I *60 them and block the number. That's on my land line. IPhone is easy to block. The numbers of annoyance calls has decreased a lot since I started blocking,

[PoliticAverse]

6. Answer it and if it isn't someone you want to talk to say so and hang up.

If you are expecting an important phone call from someone that may be displaced you don't
really want to be screening calls by caller id.

[Siwsan]

9. My worry was the kids got confused and tried texting to my land line, instead of my smart phone

My brain is in pretty much of a major uproar, right now, so all kinds of weird scenarios are popping up.

[SonofDonald]

16. I never answer the phone these days because....

It's almost always a telemarketer or a scam, whe I get a call with the number displayed as 12 zero's, yes twelve 000000000000,s it isn't a phone number.

My daughter answered the phone one day and talked to someone that did not have our interests in mind, then she did it again later that day and pressed 12 to have them quit calling, this just tells them that you will answer the phone and it ramps up their attempts to scam you.

I'm on the do not call list, doesn't matter, these people aren't legitimate and don't care what list your on, it's way beyond a pain in the ass anymore, it sucks that I have a service that I pay for that is now used against me constantly to scam me in one way or another.

I've had the same phone number since 1991 so I'm not changing it, because they'll just keep trying.

7 fake IRS calls, 2 "your son is in jail and needs bail money" calls, 40-50 " there's nothing wrong with your credit card but" calls, endless calls from supposed charities looking for money that have now doubled because of Houston's disaster, etc, etc, etc.

In the last month alone.

If it's important they'll leave a message.

Oh, and at least 5-6 calls a day on my cellphone none of which ever leave a message.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

10. That was Ed McMahon and Publisher's Clearing House!!!

[Siwsan]

11. If only!!

It's weird because ever since I switched phone service providers and picked up caller ID, these weird calls have increased, tremendously. I'd get maybe windows scam call, every few days, but now I'm getting 5 and 6 calls a day from numbers and people I don't recognize/know.

[left-of-center2012]

12. Don't call international numbers back

Some are set up to charge you hundreds of dollars for the call.

You can google the first 2 (or 3) digits to find out what country it's from if you're curious.
Google 'What country has area code ___?"

[Siwsan]

13. I never call any of the mystery numbers I've been getting, even those w/my area code

The first 4 digits on this long number are 1 615 so I tried looking up area/calling codes for both 161 and 615. The second came back as a city in India - so no surprise, there.

[left-of-center2012]

14. India ?

Maybe it was Rajesh 'Raj' Koothrappali.

[Siwsan]

15. Only if he's the 'windows tech' guy

He calls me a lot. One time he even CURSED at me! Ok, I cursed first. That was one of those days that I got 3 or 4 calls from 'Windows Tech Department' and my strained patience snapped. Shortly after that, I switched phone service providers and got caller ID.

[elisafrag]

18. List of international dialing codes

you can find a list of international dialing codes - [link:https://www.countrycodeguide.com|

[gopiscrap]

19. welcome to DU