Originally Posted by InfoGuy

One of my buddies uses this technique. He screens all his calls with an answering machine that plays a recording from the phone company of a disconnected number. The recording starts with a certain 3 melody tone and it triggers the telemarketers autodialers to automatically remove his number from their databases.

Like you, I 've got a landline too. By landline, I'm referring to the old copper phone lines. Contrary to what some people may think, digital phone service or VOIP through a cable company or phone company isn't the same.

For the best chances that a landline will work after an earthquake, it's best to use a basic corded phone that doesn't have an AC adapter. A landline won't be of any use if there's no power and it's a cordless phone that needs to transmit from/to the base. Some landline phones with LED displays also won't work without power.