After receiving numerous Senior Aid calls from young women from many different numbers, offering assistance with a nonexistent social security disability claim of mine, and unable to get them to stop by asking them to do so, I ended up resorting to making obscene comments to the callers, ending with a plea to never call me again. I’m sure that the comments were quite offensive. But I wanted them to associate my number with a very unpleasant telephone experience and maybe they’d stop? I am not even sure if the young women were real people and not computer generated voices. The frequency of calls did nor change, but they all ended as soon as I made my comments. I did not like doing this because it is not who I am to speak to young women that way, but my approach was an act of desperation. Now, they’ve been trying to have a guy, call me instead of another young woman. I just hang up.

Gmail has almost no spam mail. Maybe one or two a month, but it gets dumped into a spam folder.
Have been on/updated the donotcall list since the inception. This does NOT stop the spoof calls (phony Microsoft, IRS, some kind of insurance, etc.) Currently there are about 5-6 calls/day from these, often from different numbers, but the same recordings. My current cell plan only allows 5 numbers for 30 days - the spoofers keep rotating the numbers, so there might be a few days of quiet, but then it starts again. Luckily my number is from a previous state/residence, so some of the "phony" call try using a similar number but they are not programmed into my phone so I ignore them - most of those do not leave a message, it is the ones from "all over the country" that leave messages. Again, lucky that none of these fake calls have come from my current area code, as there are calls that are legit, but use a different extension than what is programmed in the phone.
STUPID FCC should be dealing with THIS instead of messing with net neutrality, which was NOT a problem!! Jerk Pai.

Return junk mail to the company that sent it:
1st, odorize it using a little piece of fish, or other stuff that develops stink. ...THEN put it in the postage-paid envelope that came with it, and, use a black permanent marker to cover the bar-code on the outside of the envelope, or on the part of the insert that has the bar code that shows through envelope window...
IF you fail to cross off that bar code, the mail will likely keep coming back to you.
IF you never opened that envelope, cross off the bar code, write: “UNWANTED: return to sender” on the envelope, and mail it back to them.
National Do Not Call Registry:
We signed up as soon as it was available; it drastically lowered the number of scammer/robocalls.
BUT...Scammers keep upping their games!
So, caller ID is a very good thing...if you don’t recognize the caller ID, DON’T answer the call:
Robocallers will not usually leave a message, and, stop calling numbers that don’t answer.
Those who need to reach you, usually leave a message for you to call back.
ALSO...if you are on the Do Not Call registry, for heavens sake, REPORT scam-callers: date, time, content, if it’s a spoofed number on caller ID, anything you can offer the registry, that will help them track-down the dogs doing it. If you are not reporting scam calls to them, they have no leads to follow to stop them. They finally took-down a high-roller scammer in FL, who’d been using spoof numbers, and all kinds of scams.
SOME have chosen to collect all the junk mail, put it in a bucket of water to start it composting or dissolving, then press it all into “bricks” they dry, to use as fireplace fuel.
Others have collected junk mail, and used it as part of their “lasagne” gardening, as layers to help block weeds.

The Do Not Call list doesn't work - they pay no attention and they know that few people have the time to file complaints about thirty or so companies. We are getting the spoofing calls constantly and telemarketers ( one of the worst offenders are companies trying to make you think they are Google) I have had all three phones, with different numbers of course, ring within 3 minutes of each other with the robocalls. Supposedly Congress is trying to stop the robocalls and legislation is in the works. I agree about AARP - my parents receive these official looking mailings from a company that AARP has agreed to let them use their logo. The company is trying to scare seniors into getting insurance for water line damage. The envelope and wording looks like it is from a government office or the person's own insurance. I told AARP that they should be ashamed of themselves for letting them use their logo on the envelope. It's gotten to where I will not answer unless I recognize the phone number, which is a shame. Might be someone that I really do need to talk to.

I should add that you must NEVER EVER give out any personal information whatsoever, especially social security numbers, credit card numbers, birth dates, addresses etc. And banking details are a definitely no no. The rule is to only give out this type of information if it is you who made the call to them yourself. No reputable service or Government agency like the IRS will ever contact you by phone. If anybody wants you to send money just hang up.

I have managed to eliminate almost all of my junk emails with one click of the BLOCK button. Anything that comes in that I do not recognize goes into the 'other actions' BLOCK folder and is never seen again. Seeing as my Inbox rarely gets emails now that are not on the BLOCK list I never have more than two or three personal letters in my inbox at one time. Very easy with none of the time consuming information you provide.

The unsolicited phone calls are another matter. However, my rule is that if somebody calls me and gives me an unintelligible name and unintelligible company - then asks me how I am doing today - I promptly hang up. How I am doing that day is none of their business.

I find the do not call center absolutely useless.

I've had a lot of fun with the advertisers.

1) For (physical) junk mail, I'll send back their reply envelope empty. Recently, I returned an empty one, but wrote inside (such that it would be visible immediately when opened) "Oh, I must be developing dementia; I forgot to enclose my personal information and payment!" I've also stuffed return envelopes with junk mail sent by other advertisers.

2) For callers, I'll occasionally engage them in a conversation. I'll let them talk for a while, and then when it comes time for an order, I'm either "not interested" or I'll give a few digits of a credit card and then "CLICK"; if they call back and say "we seem to have been disconnected" I might answer "no, I hung up because I changed my mind and decided I don't need your useless, overpriced product/service." If they are pushy and obnoxious, I might let them ramble on and then when I let them know I'm not interested, they ask why I didn't say so, and then I can say "oh, I had some time to kill anyway so I figured I might as well waste yours." One went into a long spiel about her cause, and when she was finished, I simply said "I don't care".

A special category is the caller who leaves a recording with an 800 call-back number. A few years ago I had one from one of the fast, high-interest loan companies which said to "let them know if I need a loan". I had to go to the airport soon afterward, so when I got there and had some time to kill, I called this number for free from a pay phone (I guess this is more than just a few years ago!) and told them "you asked me to let you know if a needed a loan, but it turns out I DON'T need one, but thanks anyway". They asked why I called, and I said "oh, I just happened to have a few minutes to kill, and I figured it would have been impolite not to have answered your message." Another time I had this kind of call, and when I called back I put on a desperate act of "you mean I can get this loan right now, but don't pay for X length of time?" (I might have even asked "but what if I can't pay it back?"). Finally, I just told them they're just a step about loan sharks and hung up.

3) Spam can be risky to respond to because of unknown or suspicious-looking web addresses, so I usually just delete them; besides, they don't offer the tangible interaction other forms of communication enjoyable. However, I recently received an email from an insurance agent from whose company I switched my policy a few years ago so I might regale him with an exception, particularly as I've never met him but he's written in such a way he's pretending to know me.

4) There's another category--people who accost me in person. About a decade ago, I was in the Charlotte (NC) airport, and there were a couple men pestering everyone about their latest credit card promotion. I had a few minutes to kill, so with several other passengers watching, I listened to the spiel one of them gave. When I finished, I said I wasn't interested (actually, I already has a card with the same company that served me just as well). Because his breath was bad, I walked by his partner as I left and casually told him "that guy's breath could sure use some improvement" which resulted in rather hearty laugh from the partner.

I'm looking forward to getting one of those "calls from the IRS" so I can drive the callers insane while getting as much information from them to pass on to authorities, etc.--in any event, it should be fun!

NoMoRobo.com is excellent for getting rid of telemarketers- as long as you have a digital landline. And it's free. I think they recently started for android, but I think there is a minimal fee.

WARNING....the scammers send phony official-looking "IRS" letters, Too. I called one (the letter-ironically-said my identity had been stolen.) Got a guy with a thick foreign accent on the second ring! He didn't give me his name or IRS ID badge no. People-this does not happen with the REAL IRS. There is the Mother of All Phone Menus and it takes fifteen minutes to get a warm body. I told the dude: "I think this is a Scam." "You think I'm scamming you?? I will have you talk to my Supervisor!" LOL. They had my Zip code as xxxxx/xxxx. US zip codes do not have slashes in them.

What I do with the scammers is to lead them on for fifteen minutes while I get "my" Social Security and Credit Card number. I give them all the wrong info-including birthdate-and, THEN I tell them they're Busted! If even 1% of us would DO that-they'd be Done. They count on 99% of folks blowing them off. The other 1% could be disabled, G-d forbid. I may give one my $100 Target card info (bought it for just that occasion) and tell them they get much more if they give me the address of their call center...and then Torch the place. In places like India, you can have someone killed for a few hundred bucks.

Some of the worst are groups like AAA and AARP. Yes, my elderly parents are members, but they and their affiliates are always sending out marketing materials asking for money, life insurance, upgrading membership. Who knows how many times my father has sent a check. Who knows how many life insurance policies he had out there. Very deceptive. Especially since target audience is seniors.

Unfortunately I have to agree that this method doesn’t seem to make a big difference or there’s just more companies out there then we imagine. I’ve been on the registry list since 2005 ...So, now I immediately put them on my cell phone block list & my phone carrier blocks the number so their next call won’t come through. If you’re not sure how to block a caller number just contacted your cell phone carrier. Hope this info helps.

I call the phone number and first thing they wanted was my SS number. I hung up. Did anyone else get asked this.

Receiving solicitation mail? Take the self addressed envelopes and tape these to individual blocks of wood (or bricks) and drop in a mail box. This should cause solicitors to pay mail cost far more than they bargained for and/ or send a message to the USPS to somehow eliminate junk mail.....and this is kind of fun to do and legal.

Today for the first time I had on my answering service a message which said the person was from the IRS and the IRS was filing a lawsuit against me, please call 901-xxx-xxxx. The caller ID showed the caller was from Memphis but I knew it was a scam because the IRS uses the U.S. mail service if there are any questions/problems.

I wonder how many elderly people get these calls and go into a panic. According to the internet when people call the above telephone number an actual person will answer then start asking for important information.

Now, if only I could stop "Betty" from calling me saying I was a past customer and it is time to have my carpets cleaned. At least once a week I get such a call but each time from a different number [I know the Caller ID's can show a number that isn't a number from where I call was made]. Time to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.

OK, thanks. I thought it must be someone checking on me because they come around the same time each day.

That is a computer checking to see if someone is home. Sometimes hitting ## will trick the computer into thinking that your phone number is bad.

The problem is, half the time there is no one on the phone when you get there, they just hang up. That is so frustrating to me when I have struggled to reach the phone in time. There is no organization to complain a bout.

After you have been on the Do Not Call list for 31 days, you can file a complaint with the FTC complaints.donotcall.gov/complaint/complaintcheck.aspx. I did it with a couple of the worst offenders, and they all got the message not to call.

Yes, I have the same experience and it is most annoying to me since I am disabled and after having to struggle to the phone to find there is either no one there, or it is telemarketing. I want to scream sometimes. I have registered and called them back and they say "You are registered". What else can a person do?

I've registered my cell phone, home phone and that of my mother's countless times and guess what? Doesn't seem to matter - we still get crap calls all the time. If this was actually enforceable with a fine or some other REAL incentive it might actually work. As it is now, it doesn't.

Thank you for this column. Just signed both my mother and me.

Apparently, the Do Not Call Registry and this need to be updated every three months. I've had much success with the Do Not Call for years now. I notice that each time I don't update it, the calls start coming.

Again, thank you!

If you want the sweepstakes to stop use a USPS form 1500. It was designed to stop porn but now you can use it to stop any mail that is selling you something.

Some times I get enough junk mail in one day it won't all fit in my mail box and I have an extra large box. It fills up one whole standing trash can. I especially get all this begging mail around the holidays and they try to make you feel guilty by sending printed labels and other junk. I have enough labels to mail a million letters. I will never out live the labels I have. Theother one I get a lot of is sweepstakes offers. They all want you to mail $5 and up to $20 for so called processing fees. If they send out a million of those and even half respond they are making big bucks. I live on a highway and my mail box is out near the highway and I would love to install a shredder under the mailbox so I don't have to carry this junk back to the house.

DMA Choice only works on mail that you have never given money to. In that case you must contact the junk mailer directly. If you have a smart phone the PaperKarma app is a good tool. I have been battling junk mail for the past 9 months. the problem was so crazy that I started blogging about the junk mail and how to stop it.
drowndinginmail.wordpress

Thanks for this helpful information.

every cold call i ever received was from someone with an indian or asian accent . obama visited india a couple of years ago and offered some jobs -- there was no doubt in my mind what that meant . if they would take ' no ' for an answer it would be ok , but they wont . the same person will keep calling every day with different angles , sometimes claiming to be from the social sec adm . they made my mothers last 5 yrs on earth miserable . i hope to go paperless on my pertinent contacts and eventually rip the mail box out of the ground . thats how much junk mail annoys me .

Bhsbhs, I've tried that but I still receive said mail from the same vendors. Apparently when a vendor mails out bulk rate they need to have a certain number of envelopes to mail to get their bulk rate discount by the U.S.P.S. With ten of thousands of addresses in their data base, chances are there isn't anyone to scrub the date base, just not cost effective.

I am getting a ton of health care insurance brochures for my ex-husband who turned 65 this year.... the problem is he moved out of the area 20 years ago :P

Another way to get rid of unwanted credit card offers .. .. .. This kind of mail often comes with a postage paid return envelope (as do some offers requesting donations, etc.). Just write "remove me from your mailing list" on whatever piece of paper they sent you that has your name and address on it. Stuff it all back into their postage paid envelope and mail it to them. They won't want to keep paying returned postage when there is no benefit to them and you'll get off their list pretty darned fast!

When we bring in the U.S. mail from our mailbox, we stand by the recycling bin and toss all those junk letters and catalogs into said bin. And yes, my name has been scrubbed via the Direct Marketing Association opt-out.... but all it takes is for me to place one order with a vendor, even on-line, and that is an ok for the vendor to send me their catalogs, along with catalogs coming from their sister companies.

I am also on the Do Not Call List but those seeking donations and those political voting calls both are allowed to reach your telephone. I rarely get the political calls [which I find amusing since I am part of the political environment] but my elderly parents are over run with such calls.

The robo calls are the worst, you answer the phone and there is dead silence because the robo call caught someone else at home a split second earlier, so the system will try you later and continue to call until you get a live person or you hear the canned message. Impossible to get scrubbed from those calls but I found if you listen all the way through the canned message, at the end of the call the might give you can option to opt-out. Yeah, you opt-out from THAT robo call number.... but not opt-out from the next robo call using a different calling number selling the same thing.... [sigh]. P.S. Those telephone numbers showing up on one's Caller ID's are usually fake telephone numbers which are used by robo calls.

As for a *Caller has a heavy accent*, that's not quite fair as my grandparents were successful business people in their community in the early and mid 1900's and they had a heavy accent. And today I live in a very diverse area where lot of local business people and medical community call who have heavy accents.