Most Americans are sick and tired of robocalls. Nine in 10 Americans think lawmakers should do something to stop robocalls, according to the AARP.
Last year, Americans were bombarded with an estimated 48 billion robocalls. 37% were classified as scams. Between January and April of this year over 20 billion robocalls have been made with about half scam related.
The first challenge scammers have is to get you to pick up the phone. One trick that they have been using recently is to “spoof” the phone number on your screen to make you think it is the IRS or your local police department that is calling. Another trick is to show a number that contains your area code or prefix on the assumption that you will be more likely to answer the phone call. In a recent national survey, the AARP found that 59% of respondents said that they would likely answer the call if the caller ID showed a local area code and 44% said that they would pick up the phone if the area code matched one of a relative or close friend.
The next challenge is to get you to send the scammers money or give your personal information so that they can use your stolen ID to get money or services. Traditionally, scammers try to get you emotional, so that you are not thinking logically. The AARP survey found that 51% of respondents felt that they would be more likely to respond to a negative scenario such as claims that you owe taxes, you are about to be arrested for missing jury duty, or your grandchild needs to be bailed out of jail in Mexico. 41% said that they would respond to a positive pitch such as you have won a foreign lottery, or you qualify for a free vacation. It seems that if a scammer can scare you, they are more likely to get some money from you.
So, what to do? Until Congress and/or the Federal Communications Commission institute laws or rules allowing phone companies to block unwanted phone calls, here are some things you can do to protect yourself for annoying robocalls,
·
Sign up with your cell phone provider for their
call blocking or call alert service. The service may be free, or you may need
to pay a small fee.
·
Download a call blocking app such as Hiya,
YouMail, Robokiller, TrueCaller or Nomorobo.
·
Add your home and cellphone numbers to the
National Do Not Call Registry. Yes, the crooks don’t pay attention to the registry,
but you are letting the honest marketers know that you do not want their phone
calls.
·
If you receive an unwanted call, take the time
to block it on your phone.
·
Create a robust contact list on your phone so
that when friends, relatives, or business associates call you, your phone will
show you who is calling.
·
If you do not recognize a phone number, let it
go to voicemail.
·
If you do answer a call from an unrecognized
phone number and the caller claims to be a government official and threatens
you, hang up. Remember, government officials do not call you if you owe taxes, have
missed jury duty, or you have some violation. They will notify you via snail
mail.
AARP:
https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2019/aarp-survey-robocalls.html?intcmp=AE-HP-LL1&fbclid=IwAR1aWCxWzkcd7Nf1MzHUMs9YkNPknLkYIp6avHeWtIVy0bv1Iwfte1IXk2M
The Seattle Times:
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/spoof-proof-your-life-how-to-avoid-falling-victim-to-scam-calls/
KOMO:
https://komonews.com/news/consumer/thanks-to-spoofing-caller-id-is-no-longer-a-reliable-way-to-tell-whos-calling-you
NBC News:
https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/scammers-manipulate-caller-id-here-are-best-ways-block-robocalls-ncna1011916
Cell Phone Providers:
AT&T Call Protect- https://www.att.com/features/security-apps.html
T-Mobile Scam ID and Scam Block- https://www.t-mobile.com/resources/call-protection
Sprint My Sprint- https://www.sprint.com/en/support/solutions/services/block-restrict-or-allow-voice-calls-using-my-sprint.html
Verizon Caller Name ID- https://www.verizonwireless.com/solutions-and-services/call-filter/
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