In the United States today, spam phone calls have grown into an overwhelming annoyance. Millions of Americans are hit daily by unsolicited robocalls, scams, and telemarketers. The Federal Trade Commission received over two million Do Not Call complaints in 2023. Besides consuming your time, such calls expose you to scams and identity theft. However, there are some quite effective ways to reduce this number significantly. Here are several ways to reduce these unwanted intrusions into your life so that you can help restore your peace of mind.
National Do Not Call Registry
Make the first call and place your phone number in the National Do Not Call Registry. Operated by the FTC, this free service is designed to halt sales calls from legitimate companies. It will not stop most spam calls—particularly those from scammers who do not play by the rules—but it can significantly reduce the number of legal telemarketing calls you get. You can sign up online or by phone fairly easily and quickly. Once your number is on the list, telemarketers are legally forbidden to call you after 31 days.
Call-Blocking App
With the increased usage of mobile technology, several call-blocking apps have been created to help you fight spam calls. These apps, like RoboKiller, Hiya, and Nomorobo, identify spam numbers and block them before ever reaching you. These apps screen incoming calls using databases of known spam numbers, crowdsourced information, and complex algorithms. The apps also include features for reverse phone lookup and the ability to report the call as spam, ensuring the community keeps such problems in check.
Activate Your Phone’s Default Call Filtering Features
Most phones these days have features that help filter out spam calls. For example, iPhones come with a “Silence Unknown Callers” feature, which sends all calls from unknown numbers straight to voicemail. Similarly, Android phones have features such as “Caller ID & Spam Protection” that warn users when an incoming call is suspected of spam. Turning on these features greatly reduces the number of unwanted calls you deal with personally.
Block Specific Numbers
Although this process is painstakingly lengthy, it remains one way to keep such repeat offenders off your back. If you get a spam call, you can add it to the block list on your phone. This will not stop all spam—because most spammers make spam calls from different numbers—but this will prevent that particular number from calling you again. You can, over some time, come up with a fair list of blocked numbers, building your phone’s resilience to spammers.
Report Spam Calls to Your Carrier
By identifying these bothersome callers, you can block them. For example, most of the larger U.S. carriers—Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile—already provide customers with options to help stem the tide of spam calls. Many carriers let customers report spam calls so that the provider can, in turn, update its systems to protect other customers. Other providers offer premium services with enhanced protection features such as automatic call blocking and detailed caller information.
Avoid Interacting with Spam Calls
When you receive one of these spam calls, it is better not to engage. Just cut the call without delay; that is the best way to handle those calls. Pushing buttons to “opt-out” for more calls can sometimes alert spam callers that you have a live number, and the calls will worsen. If you don’t know who’s calling and suspect one of these spam calls, do yourself a favor: let it go to voicemail. If somebody legitimate is calling, they’re just going to leave a message; most spammers won’t.
Use Google Voice
Google Voice is a free service that will give you a new phone number, which you can then forward calls to your existing number. That extra layer helps act as a buffer to let you filter calls through Google’s spam detection system before they ever get to your phone. It also allows you to block numbers, send calls straight to voicemail, and even screen callers by asking them to state their names before the call is connected.
Be Cautious About Sharing Your Phone Number
One of the easiest ways to reduce the volume of spam calls is to be careful where and how you share your phone number. Many of these spam calls come from companies that purchase telephone numbers from third-party providers. Be cautious about sharing your phone number when you sign up for services, enter contests, or make online purchases. If possible, opt out of sharing your number or use a secondary number, such as a Google Voice number, so you don’t give away your primary line.
Opt-Out of Data-Sharing Services
Many sell or share your phone number in data-sharing agreements. You can usually opt out of the agreements by contacting the company or through privacy settings online. When you sign up for service or create an account online, look for options that enable you to opt out of data sharing with third-party companies. By reducing your phone number’s exposure to these data-sharing agreements, you will reduce the number of spam calls in the long term.
Use the FCC’s Tools and Resources
The Federal Communications Commission has several resources and tools that can help in this fight against spam calls. Guides are posted on the FCC’s website to help you reduce unwanted calls, report spam, and understand consumer rights. The FCC also works with phone companies to trace illegal robocall operations and shut them down. Staying informed with these resources from the FCC will help you in protecting your interests against spam calls.
Keep Your Phone Software Up to Date
Updating your phone’s software is another crucial part of this war against spam calls. In most cases, phone company updates include security patches and improvements in their spam detection features. By allowing the updating, you get the best improvements to prevent spam calls on your device.
Learn About Common Scams
Such spam calls often aim at some vulnerable individuals to support their crimes in different ways, from posing as a government representative to announcing fake prizes. Educate yourself about all these most common phone scams that will help you identify and swerve all such calls away. For instance, knowing that the IRS will not call demanding immediate payment over the phone will keep you far away from these tricks. This will keep you and your loved ones safe from fraud.
