Spoofed and illegal calls (unwanted calls) are on top of FCC’s customer complaints, but what do you do when you keep getting annoying and endless robocalls? The truth is that we’ve all been victims of these unwanted calls, and we’ve complained to our phone service providers or even the FCC. But what can you do about it? And with most of these calls coming in from scammers using the internet and calling from all over the world, how do you protect yourself? Is there a foolproof solution for avoiding these unwanted calls? Here are some of the strategies we recommend.
Call blocking
Think of call blocking as your first line of defense when it comes to deterring unwanted calls. Essentially, call blocking involves the use of specific technologies and devices to stop unwanted calls, including the illegal robocalls and scam calls from reaching you.
Since all home phones, mobile/ smartphones, as well as landlines, use VoIP internet service, they feature unique call-blocking options. The only catch is that the call blocking service may result in the blocking of some the legitimate calls, which is why we recommend working with the companies that provide call-labeling services which show call categories as ‘scams’ or ‘likely scams’ on the phone’s display when you have an incoming call. Using the call-labeling feature, you will decide to ignore, block, or answer the call.
Download a call-blocking app
Instead of guessing or taking the risk of blocking legitimate calls, you might want to download a call-blocking app. These apps offer great call blocking solutions by acting as an automated filter that screen your calls before you answer. The companies behind the call-blocking apps used reports and call data collected from other users to predict and notify you when you receive a scam call or an illegal call. Once activated, the app would intercept the call before it reaches you. For the best call-blocking functions, you may have to pay a small fee. Other apps are free, though. To download the best app for call blocking, check expert reviews online, go to the app store and check ratings and reviews, or you could visit ctia.org for great call-blocking apps for your mobile device.
Things that these apps can do:
- The apps often give you the option to respond to the call even if it’s flagged as a scam. Also, the call might be stopped automatically, go straight to voicemail, or it could ring silently.
- The app could also block calls based on the area code or the geographical location of that incoming call
- Send a pre-written text to the caller
- Create a blacklist for blocked numbers and whitelist for the legitimate numbers
- File complaints with FTC
Stopping Robocalls
Ever answered the phone only to hear a recorded message on the other end of the line, rather than a live person? That’s a robocall. Often, robocalls are used to sell illegal things, but the calls only get to you if you gave the company permission to call. So, if you get a robocall without giving the calling company written permission, then you are receiving a spam call. The good news is that you could block such calls using the call-blocking options above.
Other important tips
- Do not answer a call from an unknown number, and if you do, hang up immediately.
- Register your number with the Do Not Call Registry to stop calls from telemarketers.
- Tell the caller off.
- If you are a direct marketing company it is important to make sure you are in compliance by using solutions companies such as https://www.dncsolution.com/.