Receiving unsolicited charity solicitation calls can be both frustrating and intrusive. Fortunately, there are several effective strategies you can employ to reduce the risk of these unwanted calls.
1. Register with the National Do Not Call Registry
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers a free service called the National Do Not Call Registry, which allows you to opt out of receiving unsolicited sales calls, including those from charities. To register:
- Visit donotcall.gov.
- Click on "Register Your Phone" and follow the instructions.
While this service is effective against legitimate telemarketers, it may not stop calls from scammers or organizations that ignore the registry.
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 enable:
- Go to Settings > Phone.
- Toggle on "Silence Unknown Callers."
For Android Users:
- Spam Protection: Many Android phones offer built-in spam protection. To activate:
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap the three-dot menu > Settings > Caller ID & Spam.
- Enable "See caller & spam ID" and "Filter spam calls."
These features can help reduce unwanted calls by filtering out potential spam.
3. Leverage Carrier Services
Many mobile carriers provide free tools to block or identify spam calls:
- AT&T: Offers ActiveArmor, which includes spam call blocking and fraud call blocking.
- Verizon: Provides Call Filter, helping to screen incoming calls and report and block spam.
- T-Mobile: Features Scam Shield, offering Scam Likely warnings on caller ID.
These services can be activated through your carrier's app or website.
4. Install Third-Party Apps
If built-in features and carrier tools aren't sufficient, consider using third-party apps designed to block spam calls:
- Robokiller: This app uses AI-powered blocking to prevent spam calls from reaching you. It offers features like live spam audio-fingerprinting and call screening to block spammers before they can reach you.
- Truecaller: Provides spam call identification and blocking, supporting user-managed and auto-block lists, as well as community-based spam detection.
- Hiya: Offers spam and scam call blocking, displays caller ID name and call reason, and provides network-level integration via carriers/OEMs.
These apps can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play Store.
5. Be Cautious with Your Information
Be mindful of where and how you share your phone number. Avoid posting it publicly or sharing it with untrusted sources, as this can lead to an increase in unsolicited calls.
6. Report Unwanted Calls
If you receive unwanted charity solicitation calls, consider reporting them to the FTC. This helps authorities track and take action against fraudulent organizations.
Conclusion
By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the number of unwanted charity solicitation calls you receive. Combining built-in phone features, carrier services, and third-party apps offers a comprehensive approach to managing and blocking spam calls effectively.
