Click farm: many mobile phones combining to create mass fraudulent web traffic - GIF

[Troll Hunter]

Since I am frequently working alone I carry a mobile phone for my emergency situations Fortunately, none have yet occurred, but I like to be prepared.
Mike

[Zydeker]

Frank the solution is simpler than that. I speak from experience.

I just do not carry a phone around with me. I only take a phone when travelling because it would be useful in an emergency and sometimes to notify people of a safe arrival at destination. I am not bothered by calls even then, I guess anyone who wants to call me knows that I only rarely have a phone with me.
So we do not have to return to a pre mobile phone age, as individuals we can act as if we are in that age.

Oh yes, I forgot the urgent calls, the 'world will end if I do not take it' calls. Generally what is urgent today is not tomorrow. Armed with that insight, I can wait until tomorrow and by extension that means that I can wait forever.

I have spent the vast majority of my life without the dubious benefits of instant communication, I am sure that I'll be able to live out the rest of my life in the same way and remain more content than most worrying about 'who was that missed call from?'. OH NO, NOT A MISSED CALL.

Here, Here, Sir well said could not agree more.

[Toolmaker51]

I don't like interference with my activities. I don't like to hide. That doesn't stop pirates. It's like hiding from 'pandemic', while expecting to build an immune system.

Well no surprise, and admittedly, my phone tactic is a bit different too, and take all the calls. Right ones get a conversation, wrong ones get harassed, abused, and invited to not dare call again.
It's a form of entertainment. Those get blocked, saved, dated and named if possible, ie "SunPower Sales". As they expend new numbers under old name, it gets saved accordingly "SunPower Sales1" and so on. I list them at DoNotCall.gov. Once a series begins, it gets effective soon. My area code no longer correlates to my locale, any unnamed number is dang near guaranteed spam.
Examples of a few possible misuses; public utilities, government agencies, travel, credit cards, gifts, insurance, auto warranty service...that one is always fun. Pretty sure my 95 Buick has no remaining warranty or pending recalls. Or I'm interested in a sophisticated mobile phone. It's easy; they have a script, you throw them a curve. Teehee.

This began maybe 10-11 years ago. Having the same number since the mid 90's, everybody I'd like to continue contact is saved and named, screening BS quite easy. For the last 8-9 years I get calls from collection agencies looking for a person unknown to me. He either made up surreptitious info, or someone transposed number. Over time, collected some intel on this guy and relay or compare it with the agencies. Financial companies and brokers are allowed 2 calls by law, telling them you are not him, actual banks only once. There are plenty of lawyers who sue as your agent for a percentage. Records make a compelling case.

Another trend started recently, a different but actual solar panel subcontractor. I have a dozen "XxSolarxx", past two weeks. The hook for this one, iron clad! They evoke name of the Southern California Electric utility, so...

[WmRMeyers]

I don't like interference with my activities. I don't like to hide. That doesn't stop pirates. It's like hiding from 'pandemic', while expecting to build an immune system.

Well no surprise, and admittedly, my phone tactic is a bit different too, and take all the calls. Right ones get a conversation, wrong ones get harassed, abused, and invited to not dare call again.
It's a form of entertainment. Those get blocked, saved, dated and named if possible, ie "SunPower Sales". As they expend new numbers under old name, it gets saved accordingly "SunPower Sales1" and so on. I list them at DoNotCall.gov. Once a series begins, it gets effective soon. My area code no longer correlates to my locale, any unnamed number is dang near guaranteed spam.
Examples of a few possible misuses; public utilities, government agencies, travel, credit cards, gifts, insurance, auto warranty service...that one is always fun. Pretty sure my 95 Buick has no remaining warranty or pending recalls. Or I'm interested in a sophisticated mobile phone. It's easy; they have a script, you throw them a curve. Teehee.

This began maybe 10-11 years ago. Having the same number since the mid 90's, everybody I'd like to continue contact is saved and named, screening BS quite easy. For the last 8-9 years I get calls from collection agencies looking for a person unknown to me. He either made up surreptitious info, or someone transposed number. Over time, collected some intel on this guy and relay or compare it with the agencies. Financial companies and brokers are allowed 2 calls by law, telling them you are not him, actual banks only once. There are plenty of lawyers who sue as your agent for a percentage. Records make a compelling case.

Another trend started recently, a different but actual solar panel subcontractor. I have a dozen "XxSolarxx", past two weeks. The hook for this one, iron clad! They evoke name of the Southern California Electric utility, so...

SWMBO tell the car warranty folks that she has a 1955 Mercedes 300SL that she'd like an extended warranty for. I just hang up, block the number and report it as spam. There are only about 3 million people in Oklahoma, so I expect I'll have everyone who isn't a friend already blocked in a couple more years.

Bill

[Jon]

Fun fact: some countries have mobile phone camera sound laws that make it illegal to turn off the clicking "shutter" noise, so that people can't clandestinely photograph you.