Effective Strategies for Seniors to Manage Survey Calls

Unwanted survey calls can be a significant nuisance for seniors, disrupting daily routines and causing unnecessary stress. Fortunately, there are several effective strategies to manage and reduce these interruptions.

What Is the National Do Not Call Registry, and How Does It Help?

The National Do Not Call Registry is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that allows individuals to opt out of receiving unsolicited telemarketing calls. By registering your phone number, you can reduce the number of unwanted calls, including those from survey companies. However, it's important to note that this registry does not block calls from political organizations, charities, or companies with which you have an existing business relationship. (consumer.ftc.gov)

How to Register:

1. Visit DoNotCall.gov.
2. Click on "Register Your Phone."
3. Enter your phone number and email address.
4. Confirm your registration via the email sent to you.

By Phone:

• Call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you wish to register.

Note: It may take up to 31 days for telemarketers to update their lists and stop calling your number. (consumer.ftc.gov)

How Can Call-Blocking Features on Phones Assist in Reducing Unwanted Calls?

Many smartphones and landline services offer built-in call-blocking features that can help manage unwanted calls.

For Smartphones:

• iPhone:

• Go to "Settings" > "Phone" > "Call Blocking & Identification."

• Enable "Silence Unknown Callers" to automatically silence calls from numbers not in your contacts.

• Android:

• Open the "Phone" app.

• Tap the three-dot menu > "Settings" > "Blocked numbers."

• Enable "Caller ID & Spam" to identify and block suspected spam calls.

For Landlines:

• AT&T Customers:
• Use the Call Block feature by dialing *60 to activate it.
• To block a specific number, press #, dial the 10-digit number, and press # to confirm. (att.com)

Note: While these features can reduce unwanted calls, they may not block all survey calls, especially those from exempt organizations.

What Are Third-Party Call-Blocking Apps, and How Do They Work?

Third-party call-blocking apps can provide an additional layer of protection by identifying and blocking unwanted calls, including surveys.

Popular Apps Include:

• RoboKiller: Blocks spam calls and offers a feature to answer spam calls with pre-recorded messages.
• Hiya: Identifies and blocks spam calls, including surveys, and provides caller ID information.
• Truecaller: Offers spam call identification and blocking, along with a community-based spam list.

How They Work:

• These apps maintain databases of known spam numbers and use algorithms to identify and block unwanted calls.
• They may also provide real-time alerts about potential spam calls.

Considerations:

• Some apps may require a subscription for full features.
• Effectiveness can vary, and no app can guarantee 100% blockage of all unwanted calls.

How Can Seniors Report Unwanted Survey Calls to Authorities?

Reporting unwanted survey calls can help authorities track and address persistent issues.

How to Report:

• To the FTC:

• Visit ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

• Provide details such as the date and time of the call, the number that called, and any other relevant information.

• To Your Phone Service Provider:

• Many providers offer services to block or report unwanted calls.

• For example, AT&T offers Call Protect to block known scammers and alert you to suspected spam calls. (att.com)

Note: While reporting can help authorities identify patterns, it may not result in immediate cessation of unwanted calls.

What Are Additional Tips for Seniors to Manage Survey Calls Effectively?

• Do Not Engage: If you answer a call and realize it's a survey, hang up immediately. Engaging can lead to more calls.
• Educate Yourself: Stay informed about common survey scams targeting seniors to recognize and avoid them.
• Use Voicemail: Let unknown calls go to voicemail. Legitimate callers will leave a message.

Example Scenario:

Mrs. Thompson, a senior living in Florida, was frequently receiving unsolicited survey calls during dinner time. After registering her number with the National Do Not Call Registry and enabling the "Silence Unknown Callers" feature on her iPhone, the number of unwanted calls decreased significantly. She also installed the RoboKiller app, which further reduced interruptions.

By implementing these strategies, seniors can regain control over their phone lines and reduce the frequency of unwanted survey calls.