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"Answering telephone calls from callers who have blocked their caller identification makes about as much sense as opening your door to folks who wear masks." Roger Schmedlen, 1998
The FBI estimates that there are 14,000 illegal telephone sales operations defrauding consumers in the United States every day. The Better Business Bureau reports that consumers lose an estimated $40 billion a year through telemarketing fraud. A Louis Harris Survey conducted for the National Consumers League found that 92 percent of adults in the United States reported receiving fraudulent telephone offers.
In areas where caller identification is available, the easiest way to avoid these calls is to ignore incoming calls showing "out of area" or other terminology that indicates the caller has blocked the call or is using a WATS line.
In some areas local telephone companies now provide a service where such calls will not even ring at the residence or business. This service is highly recommended, particularly for persons who may be particularly vulnerable due to age or innocence.
In areas where caller identification is unavailable, call screening with an answering machine makes good sense.
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