Unwanted and fraudulent calls are a persistent nuisance for many phone users. Implementing effective strategies can significantly reduce these interruptions.
What Are Fraudulent Calls and Why Are They So Common?
Fraudulent calls, often referred to as scam or robocalls, involve unsolicited communications from individuals or automated systems attempting to deceive recipients into providing personal information or money. The prevalence of these calls has surged due to the low cost and ease of making mass calls using technologies like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and caller ID spoofing. (whocalledus.net)
How Can I Block Unwanted Calls on My Phone?
For iPhone Users:
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Silence Unknown Callers: Navigate to Settings > Phone and enable "Silence Unknown Callers." This feature sends calls from numbers not in your contacts directly to voicemail. (us.norton.com)
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Block Specific Numbers: Open the Phone app, go to Recents, tap the "i" icon next to the number, and select "Block this Caller." (us.norton.com)
For Android Users:
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Enable Spam Protection: Open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings > Caller ID & Spam, and toggle on "See caller and spam ID." This will warn you about potential spam calls. (malwarebytes.com)
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Block Specific Numbers: Open the Phone app, go to Recents, press and hold the suspicious number, then choose "Block/report spam." (malwarebytes.com)
Are There Carrier Services to Help Block Scam Calls?
Yes, many mobile carriers offer services to help identify and block scam calls:
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AT&T: Provides Call Protect, which displays a "V" (for verified) on your caller ID for legitimate calls and blocks potentially fraudulent calls by giving a busy signal. (consumerreports.org)
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T-Mobile: Offers Scam ID and Scam Block. Scam ID identifies and tags suspicious calls, while Scam Block blocks calls before they ring. (consumerreports.org)
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Verizon: Automatically enrolls eligible customers in the free version of Call Filter, which detects spam and blocks high-risk calls. (consumerreports.org)
What Are Call-Blocking Apps and How Do They Work?
Call-blocking apps are third-party applications designed to identify and block unwanted calls. They use databases of known scam numbers and user reports to filter out fraudulent calls. Some popular call-blocking apps include:
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Robokiller: An app that uses advanced algorithms to identify and block spam calls, providing real-time alerts and detailed reports.
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Truecaller: Offers a community-based spam list and can identify unknown numbers.
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Nomorobo: Blocks robocalls and telemarketers in real-time.
These apps are available for both iOS and Android devices. (maine.gov)
How Can I Report Unwanted Calls?
Reporting unwanted calls helps authorities track and take action against scammers:
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Federal Trade Commission (FTC): File a complaint at ftc.gov/complaint.
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Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Report unwanted calls at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov.
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National Do Not Call Registry: Register your number at donotcall.gov to reduce telemarketing calls. (consumer.ftc.gov)
Are There Additional Steps to Protect Myself from Scam Calls?
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Be Cautious with Personal Information: Never share personal or financial information over the phone unless you're certain of the recipient's identity.
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Educate Yourself About Common Scams: Stay informed about prevalent scams to recognize and avoid them.
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Use Voicemail: Let unknown calls go to voicemail. Legitimate callers will leave a message.
By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the number of fraudulent calls you receive, enhancing your phone's security and your peace of mind.
