Spam calls are an ongoing nuisance, with millions of Americans receiving them daily. In 2024, Truecaller estimated approximately 3.3 billion scam calls were sent out every month in the U.S. alone. (builtin.com)
What Are Spam Calls?
Spam calls are unsolicited communications, often from automated systems, aiming to sell products, solicit donations, or, in worse cases, perpetrate scams. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that illegal phone spamming and robocalls are the top consumer complaint in the U.S. (security.org)
How to Identify Spam Calls
Recognizing spam calls can be challenging, but certain signs can help:
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Unfamiliar Numbers: Calls from unknown or blocked numbers are often spam.
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Robotic Voices: Automated messages or pre-recorded voices are common in spam calls.
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Urgent Requests: Scammers often create a sense of urgency, pressuring you to act immediately.
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Unusual Area Codes: Be cautious of calls from unfamiliar area codes, especially international ones.
How to Block Spam Calls
Implementing effective strategies can significantly reduce spam calls:
- Use Built-in Phone Features:
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iPhone: Enable the "Silence Unknown Callers" feature by navigating to Settings > Phone and toggling on "Silence Unknown Callers." This will silence calls from numbers not in your contacts.
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Android: Activate "Caller ID and Spam Protection" by going to Settings > Spam and Call Screen, then toggling on "See Caller & Spam ID" and "Filter Spam Calls." (security.org)
- Register with the National Do Not Call Registry:
Adding your number to the National Do Not Call Registry can reduce unsolicited sales calls. (consumer.ftc.gov)
- Use Call-Blocking Apps:
Third-party apps can provide additional protection by identifying and blocking spam calls. Robokiller, for instance, offers advanced spam detection and blocking features.
Reporting Spam Calls
Reporting spam calls helps authorities track and combat fraudulent activities:
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Federal Trade Commission (FTC): File a complaint at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
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Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Submit a complaint at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov.
Additional Tips
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Do Not Share Personal Information: Never provide personal or financial details over the phone unless you're certain of the recipient's identity.
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Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Offers: If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
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Educate Yourself: Stay informed about common scam tactics to recognize them when they occur.
By staying vigilant and utilizing available tools, you can significantly reduce the impact of spam calls on your daily life.
Highlights:
- How Phones Identify Spam Calls with Machine Leaning | Built In, Published on Sunday, July 13
- How To Block Unwanted Calls | Consumer Advice
- How to Stop Spam Calls | Security.org, Published on Sunday, October 12
