How to Stop Spam Calls
Spam calls are a nuisance, and they can even be dangerous. Scammers often use spam calls to try to trick people out of their money or personal information. In 2021, Americans lost a record $39.5 billion to phone scams, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
There are a number of things you can do to stop spam calls, including:
- Register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry. The National Do Not Call Registry is a government database of phone numbers that telemarketers are not allowed to call. You can register your phone number for free at donotcall.gov.
- Use a call-blocking app. There are a number of call-blocking apps available for both Android and iOS devices. These apps can block calls from specific numbers or from any number that is not in your contacts.
- Report spam calls to the FTC. You can report spam calls to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. The FTC will investigate your complaint and may take action against the company responsible for the spam calls.
- Contact your phone carrier. Your phone carrier may offer call-blocking services. These services can block calls from specific numbers or from any number that is not in your contacts.
- Be careful about what information you share. Never give out your personal information, such as your Social Security number or credit card number, to someone you don’t know. Scammers often use spam calls to try to trick people into giving up their personal information.
- If you get a spam call, don’t answer it. If you answer a spam call, the scammer will know that your phone number is active and they may call you again. If you get a spam call, just let it go to voicemail.
- If you get a voicemail from a scammer, don’t call them back. Scammers often use voicemail to leave messages that sound urgent or important. They may say that you have won a prize or that there is a problem with your account. If you get a voicemail from a scammer, just delete it.
- Educate yourself about spam calls. The more you know about spam calls, the better equipped you will be to avoid them. There are a number of resources available online that can help you learn more about spam calls.
If you are getting spam calls, don’t give up. There are a number of things you can do to stop them. By following the tips in this article, you can reduce the number of spam calls you receive and protect yourself from scammers.
FAQ
- What is a spam call?
A spam call is an unwanted phone call from a telemarketer or scammer. Spam calls can be annoying, and they can even be dangerous. Scammers often use spam calls to try to trick people out of their money or personal information. - How can I stop spam calls?
There are a number of things you can do to stop spam calls, including:- Register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry.
- Use a call-blocking app.
- Report spam calls to the FTC.
- Contact your phone carrier.
- Be careful about what information you share.
- Don’t answer spam calls.
- If you get a voicemail from a scammer, don’t call them back.
- What should I do if I get a spam call?
If you get a spam call, just let it go to voicemail. Do not answer the call, and do not call the number back. If you get a voicemail from a scammer, just delete it. - How can I educate myself about spam calls?
There are a number of resources available online that can help you learn more about spam calls. The FTC has a website with information about spam calls, and there are also a number of articles and blog posts available online that can help you learn more about spam calls.
