Does your phone ring frequently? And if it does, how often is the caller a name you actually know? Unwanted phone calls plague landline and mobile users alike and put you at a danger for falling for a scam. Here are a few tips how to stop fake calls, what to perform if you by accident answer them, and how to stop them.
Depending on your service provider and phone type, your caller ID might sign that an incoming call is once you do not want take. If the call is labelled “spam” “telemarketer” or “strange,” let voicemail take it. Do not be scammed by a domestic area code – many fraudulent or robocalls are practicing neighbour “spoofing,” where they use someone else domestic number to try to hide their identity.
If you do accidentally answer a fake call, hang up as soon as you realize the issue. Clues contain a robotic voice or a delay in a response to your voice. Be wary of any unique announcements, promotions, that you have won a prize, or risky behaviour. Do not respond to any prompts or replay any questions, even if the voice promises that doing so will prevent unwanted calls, and never give out your personal detail. Do not be fooled by the caller using the name of a famous organization. If you are at all unsure about the legitimacy of the call, hang up, and then look up the organization phone number from a legal source, such as receipt, bill, or official site.
While you may not be capable to fully block robocalls and other unwanted texts and calls, consider the following choices to help reduce them:
Get on the national do not call registry. Run by the FTC, this registry tells telemarketers that do not want their call. You can register mobile numbers and landlines, and you only have to register a phone number once.
If there is a still issue you can use Callmsg. Using this website you can Report Spam Calls publicly to solve the issue.
Check the settings on your mobile phone
iPhnes with iOS 13 or higher can activate the “silence unknown” spec. many Android phones also have a spec to Report Scam Phone Calls. You can also set your smartphone to “Do not disturb”. Both specs just let calls ring through if the calling number matches a phone number in your contact list. If the use either of these specs, ensure any vital phone numbers – such as doctors offices or your kids school, are saved in your contact list.
Block individual calls
Using the spec on your cell phone or star codes on your landline, you can block individual phone number from ringing through to your phone in the future.
Use call-blocking devices and applications
The CTIA, an organization that shows the US wireless industry, has a list of call-blocking applications for mobile phones. For landlines, you can look into buying a call-blocking service.
Check with your phone service carrier
Most big phone service carriers have tools to help decrease faked calls. Some are free, and some are offered as part of a paid service.
