I put this neat little thing called a call filter app on my phone. Free from my wireless company. My phone just never rings unless you are already a contact. If you arent' - you get my VM and then I can delete all the messages from the bots who ask me to push 2.

AND - bonus - if you are a REAL Human who has a legitimate reason to call me - like you're on your way to inspect my furnance pre-winter - I can call you back in a couple minutes when I am mentally prepard to speak to someone.

The Hermit in me loves this. No one is invited into my life unannounced. Because talking to a telemarketer is minutes of your one precous life you will never get back.

Having said all that - a few years ago - I mistakenly called back The IRS - or so I thought. When they demanded my deliquient taxes right now or they were going to send a cop to arrest me -- I laughed right out loud. "Honey - that is not the way we do this in America. The REAL IRS sends letters in the mail. And BTW - I AM A COP." They hung up immediately. :)