it up to an answering machine and screened her calls. She would get 20+ calls a day trying to scam or sell her something. As her memory got worse, we switched to a cell phone for elderly people (like a jitterbug) and keep in on a base station in the kitchen. We programmed in all her family, friends, church ladies, doctors, etc so she can see who is calling. People above a certain age fall for scams because they believe phone calls and mail are important.

When I say broken is is because scammers and salespersons are allowed to scam and harass. Phone companies don't care and the government has shown little will to correct it.

Good luck.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/109538125

I just don't pick up calls (on the cell. I have a landline but don't use it at all) unless I recognize the caller.

If it's important, they will leave a voicemail.

requires a smartphone

landline is an issue. is there someone in your neighborhood to help properly?

Scammers and telemarketers use autodialers to call people. If the call is answered, the autodialers make a note of the number in their data banks so it can be called again.

By having an answering machine that requires you to enter a number it prevents the autodialers from connecting the call. Also, if somehow it does connect or it's a telemarketer entering the number, you can use the answering machine to screen the call and decide whether or not to answer it. You can also record a message when the answering machine is activated saying something lie "All calls are screened to discourage automated callers, telemarketers, scammers, and unwanted calls. All other callers please press "6" to connect to the answering machine and I will get back you later."

I have an answering machine that does this and I sometimes a telemarketer or scammer gets past the answering machine but I can just listen to see if they say anything. Ninety-nine percent of the time they simply hang up.

Of these phones where the caller dials a number. I keep my landline for various reason and have left the standard, auto voice message on the answer machine which puts a lot of annoyance callers off. Caller ID weeds out more of them. Unfortunately I suspect I miss the occasional call which is no biggie but would love to have one of these phones but don't know if they are available here in Oz.

Do you have a link to one of these, even in the US - it will give me an idea of the name and terminology so I can search locally. TIA