Expert: DebiN - 12/4/2009

Question
Hey Deb, I have been plagued with hundreds of phantom "unknown caller" calls on my Verizon cell phone for about a year now. If i answer i hear a rapid electronic dial sequence and then the call disconnects. I have noticed that the calls usually occur soon after my home phone receives a telemarketing call which we ignore. Directly after the home phone rings my cell may receive 1 to 20 consecutive calls. My provider has no recommendations for me except to change my number which is not an option since it is my business line. Any suggestions. Chris

Answer
Your provider is telling you the truth, I'm afraid. The telemarketing company evidently has both your home and cell number in their system. After contacting your home number, their system is automatically dialing your cell phone (obviously multiple times). The call shows unknown because caller ID is not available for this company (that is all Unknown means, it is not a blocked call). I might recommend answering your home phone when they call again and ask them to remove your cell phone number. If that doesn't work, then try asking Verizon to block Unknown callers entirely (which they can oftentimes do). You can also try to report the telemarketing company who is calling you. Perhaps also change your ringer for Unknown callers to be silent so that they don't bother you. The problem is getting the telemarketing company to stop contacting you, it's not related to Verizon in any way. I hope this helps and I understand the problem of not wanting to change your number. I hope this helps. Thanks. DebiN