To which they will reply "Sure!" But you will still get calls.
After more research, here is what I think happens.
My number got placed in some database that was obtained from some online merchant. This database was stolen or sold.
The first people who called my number were thieves. They called me to determine if the number was still active. Answer or not, they can tell based on a voice mail. When they heard a voice mail, they marked me as "Active."
Then they have sold my number as part of a database of "active" numbers which go for pretty high dollar. These companies that bought the numbers are, as mentioned above, trying to phish me. They are not connected to each other except that they all have the same database.
These aren't the Bellsouth telemarketers of times past. These are people from America or beyond who are engaged in illegal activity hoping to get me to reveal bank account numbers and/or SSNs. I don't think you want to play games with them - it might be fun for you, but that's it. Your number won't be removed from any list. It will just take time before each party independently marks you off as "inactive."
