NOMOROBO

That 'word' stands for NO MOre ROBOt calls.  You know, those annoying spam phone calls that when you answer... no one is there, then suddenly a recording or person starts talking.  Those calls are dialed robotically then when a line is answered, it quickly transfers the call to the solicitor.

I have gotten rid of 95% of them!

Here's how I did it.  

First, I have Spectrum/Charter service.  You can go to their web site, log on, and click through on the "voice" section where you can set up optional services.  It takes a bit of clicking but it is worth it.

One of the services is to stop robot soliciting calls!  All you do is enable it to kill those calls.  OK, there is a little pot hole in that it doesn't "stop" them per se.  The call still hits your phone.  HOWEVER, it only rings once and NOMOROBO stops the call.  All you have to do is wait to see if it rings a second time.  Sadly it can't stop direct dialed solicitors...

And while you are there, check out the "VIP Ring tone".  You can set up to have a different ring tone for favorite numbers.  That has been helpful too.

If you don't have Spectrum, ask your provider if they have something like it.  Also, I think it is a service you can add to your phone yourself.  I don't know.