Robocalls have become an annoying part of modern life. You can
receive them on your landline (if you still have a landline) or on your cell
phone. At least one study estimates that almost half of mobile calls by 2019
will be scam calls. The calls may offer a product or try to scare you into
paying to avoid some made up offense with gift cards that you buy at a local
store.
Robocaller scams are also using “spoofing” to convince you
to pick up the phone. Spoofing is where the robocaller shows a phone number on
your caller ID that the scammer is trying to impersonate such as the IRS or Social
Security Administration. Robocallers may also show a number from your area code
and prefix on the assumption that you will think a neighbor is calling you.
While there is technology that helps reduce robocalls, there
is no one silver bullet that stops all robocalls or scam calls.
The Do Not Call Registry, while it is important to list your
phone number(s) on this registry, has proven to be only a partial answer. Experience
shows that legitimate businesses will not call your number, but scammers do not
pay attention to the list.
You can ask your phone company if it has an advanced
robocall-blocking service. It may cost an extra $3 to $4 per month, but it may
be worth the cost to reduce the number of robocalls that you receive.
Call-blocking apps may be another option. Some may charge a
monthly fee while others may be free. Some major apps include Nomorobo, Hiya,
and PrivacyStar.
Finally, if you do receive illegal robocalls, report the
numbers to the Federal Trade Commission at www.donotcall.gov.
Here is some more information about blocking robocalls,
KOMO News:
Marketplace:
AARP:
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