Telemarketers.

[ihaveaquestion]

13. The numbers you're blocking may be legitimate.

Most scammers 'spoof' their phone # to show up in caller id as something other than their real number. They can easily do this because they're using computers to make the call. They just tell the computer to display a 'from' number that is another number.

One of their favorite tricks is to use a number that looks like your own number... with the same area code and even the same exchange.

I don't answer any call from a number I don't recognize... if it's a legitimate call they'll leave me a message and I can call them back. I also have my phone's Do Not Disturb settings set to not ring if the number isn't in my contacts.

Also, any call you answer lets them know that your number is valid and you'll get more calls because scammers sell phone number lists to each other.

It's a dirty business!