phone is ringing

[onethatcares]

I lazily go to answer it but whoever is calling hangs up. This is indicated by a Missed Call message. I call the number back and get a woman on the other end of the ether and say, "Hi, I'm returning a call that I missed from this number." She says, "No, I didn't call you," So I mention that I hit call back and she says, " I had the phone in my hand the entire time and I did not call you".

that was weirder than the IRS calls and the Windows calls.

[flyingfysh]

1. fake caller id is easily arranged

You should believe the person who says she didn't call you. Scammers often fake caller ids so as to avoid being easily traced.

[Phentex]

2. I agree

people do this to collect numbers to sell to someone else. It's so annoying. I don't answer and yet I still keep getting the fake calls.

[Worried senior]

3. We had some of those.

[Laffy Kat]

4. Make sure to block the number. nt

[rurallib]

5. shady bastards spoof numbers. Don't answer if you don't know the number any more

or at least that is what I have been told. If they really want you they will leave a message.

[onethatcares]

6. what is the purpose?

and how does it work?