Google voice port warning - I am getting spam calls.

[amdhunter]

I recently ported my number to Google Voice and, ever since the port went through, have been bombarded with spam calls.

I've never once received any sort of spam/marketer call once in 10 years with my number. Now, ever since I've went to Google voice, I get maybe 3 a week. I am also receiving spam text messages in increasing frequency.

Has anyone else ported to Google Voice and noticed anything similar? I know I can block the numbers with the GV interface, but that will get tiring quickly.

 

[Oil]

I ported my number a few days ago but haven't gotten any spam calls or texts, knock on wood

 

[abaez]

Block them. They will hear the universal "This number has been disconnected and is no longer in service message" and they will automatically drop you from their lists.

 

[amdhunter]

I ported my number a few days ago but haven't gotten any spam calls or texts, knock on wood

Things were good for the first two weeks, but now it's crazy. It might be coincidental, I am not sure.

 

[Binky]

Your old number was probably on the do not call list. You probably added it there. Add it again.

Maybe they drop it from that list when it gets ported. I'm guessing here, but its free and quick to add it (again).

 

[simonizor]

No problems with this at all. I had a couple of calls from collectors or something looking for the person that had the number before me, but no spam what-so-ever. Even if I did, the Mr. Number app that I have on my android would block them for me.

 

[zerocool84]

I have a Google Voice number and have never gotten a spam call on it.

 

[amdhunter]

Your old number was probably on the do not call list. You probably added it there. Add it again.

Maybe they drop it from that list when it gets ported. I'm guessing here, but its free and quick to add it (again).

I wonder. I'll add my number to the list again and see what happens.

EDIT: I am still on the DNC list. Your phone number with the last four digits ---- was most recently registered in the National Do Not Call Registry on July 05, 2003. Most telemarketers will be required to stop calling you 31 days from your registration date.

 

[amdhunter]

No problems with this at all. I had a couple of calls from collectors or something looking for the person that had the number before me, but no spam what-so-ever. Even if I did, the Mr. Number app that I have on my android would block them for me.

It's not a generated number from Google. It was my own Sprint number for 10 years running. :\

 

[Binky]

Every call that you can document is a pretty severe penalty for the telemarketer if you're on the do not call list.

 

[Dulanic]

I have gotten a few, both me and my wife get the same calls. Different area codes and one is GV and one is not. My added benefit is I can permanently block them on GV.

 

[akugami]

Keep in mind there are small companies that don't care about the DNC list and just have a computer that autodials a long list of numbers hoping to get a hit. I have no clue what they're selling because I've gotten these from Vietnamese and Spanish pre-recorded messages on a line that was clearly in the DNC list. This is exacerbated by GV numbers that can be gotten and discarded at will. GV also has these "loan" companies that spam text the hell out of people, though I haven't noticed any in the last two weeks. About a week after GV was first released is when I noticed them start to really hit and I was getting about 3-4 spam texts per day.

 

[amdhunter]

Keep in mind there are small companies that don't care about the DNC list and just have a computer that autodials a long list of numbers hoping to get a hit. I have no clue what they're selling because I've gotten these from Vietnamese and Spanish pre-recorded messages on a line that was clearly in the DNC list. This is exacerbated by GV numbers that can be gotten and discarded at will. GV also has these "loan" companies that spam text the hell out of people, though I haven't noticed any in the last two weeks. About a week after GV was first released is when I noticed them start to really hit and I was getting about 3-4 spam texts per day.

They all had human callers, to "fix" my credit, or to offer surveys. It's getting annoying now. I'll log into my GV account later and see if I can track down who they are.

 

[akugami]

They all had human callers, to "fix" my credit, or to offer surveys. It's getting annoying now. I'll log into my GV account later and see if I can track down who they are.

I'd consider blocking all calls and texts on your GV number for a week or two. Keep in mind that with a service like GV where it's so cheap to get multiple numbers and from multiple area codes, it's almost imp asy for them to change numbers in a matter of minutes.

I haven't received any live calls on my GV or cell numbers though. If it was a live person and I have time, I'd string them along for as long as possible. It pisses them off after the call and the longer they're on the phone with you, the less time they have harassing someone else. Once wasted an hour of a telemarketer's time when he called me at my old job.

 

[Bobalude]

Bringing this thread back from the dead, but I have experienced the same thing! I haven't received any persistent spam calls on a cell phone # that was unused for the past year (kept just to maintain the phone #)... but the week after I ported it to Google Voice I am getting spam calls. So far appears to be a single company using multiple contact numbers (blocked, unblocked #) as I block the numbers.

I'm really curious as to how this is happening because I'd be concerned if my number was passed onward to spammers during the port. It's quite annoying because I have to block each different number they call from after receiving a call.

 

[Binky]

Sue them.

http://redtape.msnbc.com/2007/02/suing_telemarke.html

 

[corkyg]

Also, remember that charities, real or imagined, and political activites are exempt from DNC. I get a lot of calls from such entities, and I use Caller ID. Whenever I see a call not from someone I know personally, I zap it - i.e., pick up/talk and immediately hang up/end. Two thumb strokes! That way they don't even make it to voice mail.