Neighbor spoofing involves scammers disguising their calls to appear as if they're from local numbers, often mimicking the first six digits of your phone number. This tactic increases the likelihood of you answering, potentially exposing you to scams or unwanted solicitations. To effectively reduce these calls on your work phone, consider the following strategies:
1. Utilize Built-in Call Blocking Features
For iPhone Users:
- 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. (avg.com)
For Android Users:
- Caller ID & Spam Protection: Open the Phone app, tap the three dots > Settings > Caller ID & Spam, and activate "Filter spam calls." This setting helps identify and block potential spam calls. (avg.com)
2. Leverage Carrier Services
Many mobile carriers offer services to combat unwanted calls:
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Verizon's Call Filter: Verizon provides a Call Filter app that can identify and block spam calls. Features include "Neighborhood Filter," which forwards calls from your area code/prefix to voicemail, and "Call Filter Plus," which allows blocking entire area codes. (verizon.com)
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AT&T's Call Protect: AT&T offers a service that automatically blocks fraud calls and labels suspected spam calls.
3. Install Third-Party Call Blocking Apps
Dedicated apps can provide enhanced protection:
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Robokiller: This app uses a nationally sourced database to identify and block prominent scam callers, including those employing neighbor spoofing tactics. It offers real-time updates and community reporting to enhance accuracy. (robokiller.com)
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Hiya: Hiya identifies and blocks spam calls, including those from similar spoofed numbers. (help.stratanetworks.com)
4. Register on the National Do Not Call List
Adding your number to the National Do Not Call Registry can reduce unsolicited calls. While it won't eliminate all spam calls, it can decrease the volume of telemarketing calls you receive. (help.stratanetworks.com)
5. Exercise Caution with Unknown Callers
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Avoid Answering Unknown Numbers: If you receive a call from an unfamiliar number, especially one with a similar area code, let it go to voicemail.
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Do Not Engage: If you answer a suspicious call, hang up immediately. Engaging with the caller can lead to more unwanted calls.
6. Report Unwanted Calls
Reporting spam calls to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can help authorities track and take action against scammers. (consumer.ftc.gov)
By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the number of neighbor spoofing calls on your work phone, leading to a more secure and productive work environment.
Highlights:
- How to Avoid (and Block) 'Neighbor-Spoofing' Robocalls | Tom's Guide, Published on Saturday, June 30
- Neighbor Spoofing: Getting Calls from Scam Phone Numbers Similar to Yours?, Published on Tuesday, February 23
- Spammed by a local call? Here's how to stop neighbor spoofing (updated for 2023) | Robokiller Blog, Published on Monday, September 07
