OT unknown callers

In the past few weeks we have been getting many calls from fairly local towns, many of which we have never visited.
My cell has been a prime target. I have blocked
A few dozen.
Is this a new marketing device?

A lot of scammers have the capability of hijacking local phone numbers so those show up on your caller ID instead of where they actually are.

If you don’t answer and then try calling the displayed number back you will often find that the number has been disconnected or is otherwise not in service.

I’m sure. There is a Brave New World aspect to it.