Unwanted health insurance calls, often from telemarketers or scammers, can be both intrusive and time-consuming. Fortunately, there are effective strategies and applications available to help you block these calls and protect your privacy.
Why Are Health Insurance Calls So Common?
Health insurance companies and scammers frequently use phone calls to market their services or attempt fraudulent activities. These calls can range from legitimate marketing efforts to deceptive schemes aiming to steal personal information. Understanding the nature of these calls is the first step in effectively blocking them.
How Can I Block Unwanted Health Insurance Calls?
Blocking unwanted health insurance calls involves a combination of utilizing built-in phone features, carrier services, and third-party applications.
1. Register with the National Do Not Call Registry
The National Do Not Call Registry allows you to opt out of receiving unsolicited marketing calls. By registering your number, legitimate telemarketers are legally required to stop calling you within 31 days. However, this does not block calls from scammers or robocallers. (whocalledus.net)
2. Utilize Built-in Phone Features
For iPhone Users:
- Silence Unknown Callers: This feature silences calls from numbers not in your contacts, recent calls, or Siri suggestions. To activate:
- Go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers.
For Android Users:
- Google Phone App Spam Protection: If you use the Google Phone app, you can enable spam protection:
- Open the Phone app > tap the three-dot menu > Settings > Spam and Call Screen.
- Enable 'See caller & spam ID' and 'Filter spam calls'. (whocalledus.net)
3. Activate Carrier-Provided Services
Many mobile carriers offer free services to help block spam calls:
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T-Mobile Scam Shield: Provides Scam ID and Scam Block features to identify and block suspicious calls. To activate:
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Dial #ONI# (#664#) for Scam ID.
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Dial #ONB# (#662#) for Scam Block. (play.google.com)
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Verizon Call Filter: Automatically detects and blocks spam calls. To activate:
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Open the Call Filter app > tap Account > Subscription Status > Subscribe Now. (consumerreports.org)
What Are the Best Apps to Block Health Insurance Calls?
Several third-party applications offer advanced features to block unwanted calls:
1. RoboKiller
RoboKiller uses AI-powered call screening to answer calls and waste scammers’ time. It blocks caller ID spoofing scams and includes funny “answer bots” that engage scammers in fake conversations. Customizable spam filters allow users to tailor their protection. (blog.youmail.com)
2. Truecaller
Truecaller identifies unknown callers and automatically blocks spam numbers based on user reports and AI detection. It offers real-time caller ID, spam call auto-block, fraud detection alerts, and SMS spam protection. (famisafe.wondershare.com)
3. Hiya
Hiya provides carrier-level spam blocking, verified caller badges, auto-blocks suspected fraud, and robocall filtering. It also offers a number verification system to help identify unknown callers. (famisafe.wondershare.com)
How Do These Apps Compare to Each Other?
When choosing between RoboKiller, Truecaller, and Hiya, consider the following:
- RoboKiller: Best for users who want spam filtering and customizable features.
- Truecaller: Ideal for those seeking a global spam call blocker with a large community-driven database.
- Hiya: Suitable for users looking for carrier-integrated spam protection with verified caller IDs.
Are There Any Additional Tips to Prevent Unwanted Calls?
- Do Not Engage: Avoid answering calls from unknown numbers. Let voicemail handle them.
- Report Scams: Report unwanted calls to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help authorities track and combat fraudulent activities. (legalclarity.org)
By implementing these strategies and utilizing the recommended applications, you can significantly reduce unwanted health insurance calls and safeguard your personal information.
