"Update on 876 Area code calls" Topic

They are not calling me as often s they used to.
Last week I said "Hey! How ya doin'! How are thngs in Jamaica?I recognize your voice!"
"Uh, no sir. I am calling from New York. A lot of us sound alike because we speak in a patois…"

Friday, as soon as I saw the 876 area code, I answered and said "Hey how are you? Did I win $2 USD million and only have to pay $2,000 USD?"
"Uh, no sir. It's #3 million and you have to pay $3,500 USD to collect it."

You would think they would stop calling my number…

Why don't you tell them that your time is at least as
valuable as theirs is and you're going to start
billing them for it ?

I'll try that next time.

One of my favorite things to do to such folks is to answer the phone as I did at my Army unit. Do it at the shout. You know, as if you weren't able to use a phone, but wanted to send the message anyway. If you don't freak them out, you might just hurt their ears.
Then there's the old whistle trick. I keep one next to the phone at all times.

Whistles are OK, but the canned-air horn is better.

to answer the phone as I did at my Army unit

Something like:

S2 49th Armored Division, this line is unsecure and recorded. Please state your name and business. Hang ups will be traced