It's Called 'Ringless Voicemail'

Why You Get Spam Voicemail When Your Phone Doesn't Even Ring Now

It's the latest thing in telemarketing. The phone doesn't ring, but you hear a notification that you have a new voicemail.

It's called "ringless voicemail" and it's getting more common this year.

The great thing about ringless voicemail -- if you are a telemarketer or debt collector -- and the worst thing if you are a person with a phone is that you can't block the call.

Yes, there are consumer protection laws that ban certain types of telephone marketing, but ringless voicemail is not currently classified as a call. The companies that provide ringless voicemail services are arguing that they shouldn't be classified as calls. And regulators are considering the issue.

On the other side, consumer advocates are arguing that these calls will just become more popular and will end up clogging up voicemail inboxes with automated messages. People won't be able to get their important messages, it might cost more, it will take more time, and it will prevent people from using their phones in the way they want to.

The matter is a new one, so the chips are still in the air as to how governments will deal with the ringless voicemail phenomenon.