I don’t pick up calls from numbers I don’t recognize, with exceptions like if I know a service/delivery person will arrive soon.

This used to work in the past when the numbers were obviously long-distance or the call ID looked sus. But these newer calls are now using local numbers, and the call ID comes up with regular people's names.

I've set my answering machine so I can hear the caller even as the voice greeting is on, so that can help, but only if they call my home phone and only if I'm near the machine.

It's infuriating that "nothing can be done" on a wider scale. These numbers are coming from somewhere, and I find it hard to believe they can't be whitelisted/blacklisted on a national level.

This is speculation, but I think that picking up fraud calls makes you more likely to be called again.

100%.