Robocalls are annoying, intrusive, and sometimes even dangerous. They are calls made with an autodialer or that contain a message made with a prerecorded or artificial voice. They can be used for legitimate purposes, such as reminders, alerts, or surveys. Still, they can also be used for illegal or fraudulent purposes, such as scams, identity theft, or harassment.
If you’re tired of getting robocalls and want to know how to stop them and protect yourself from phone scams, this article is for you. In this article, you’ll learn:
- Why do you get so many robocalls
- How to identify and avoid robocall scams
- What kinds of robocalls are allowed, and what kinds are illegal
- How to get fewer robocalls
- What to do if you get an illegal robocall
- What the government and phone companies are doing to combat robocalls
By the end of this article, you’ll better understand robocalls and how to deal with them. Let’s get started!
Why You Get So Many Robocalls
One of the main reasons you get so many robocalls is that it’s cheap and easy for scammers and telemarketers to make them over the internet from anywhere in the world. They can use software and databases to generate thousands of calls per minute and spoof their caller ID to make it look like they’re calling from a local number or a trusted organization.
Another reason why you get so many robocalls is because they work. Scammers use robocalls to trick people into giving up their personal or financial information, such as their Social Security number, bank account number, or credit card number. They may also try to sell you products or services that are overpriced, defective, or nonexistent. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans lost nearly $3 billion to phone scams in 2020.
How to Identify and Avoid Robocall Scams
The first step to avoid robocall scams is not answering calls from unknown numbers. If you answer such a call, hang up immediately. Don’t press any buttons or respond to any questions, especially those that can be answered with “Yes.” Scammers may use this trick to record your voice and use it against you later.
The second step to avoid robocall scams is to rely on something other than your caller ID. Scammers can fake the name and number that shows up, making it look like a call is from a government agency, a charity, a utility company, or a family member. This is called spoofing. Don’t answer the phone if you’re not sure who’s calling. If it’s important, they’ll leave a message or call back.
The third step to avoid robocall scams is to watch out for common phone scams. Some of the most common ones include:
Government impersonator scams:
Scammers pretend to be from the IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, or other agencies and demand that you pay taxes, fees, fines, or debts you don’t owe. They may threaten you with arrests, lawsuits, or other consequences if you don’t comply.
Tech support scams:
Scammers claim to be from Microsoft, Apple, or other tech companies and tell you your computer has a virus or a problem that needs fixing. They may ask you to give them remote access to your computer or pay them for their services.
Lottery or sweepstakes scams:
Scammers tell you you’ve won a prize or a large sum of money, but you must pay taxes, fees, or shipping costs before claiming it.
Charity scams:
Scammers pretend to be from a legitimate charity or create a fake one and ask you for donations. They may use emotional appeals or urgent requests to pressure you into giving money.
Romance scams:
Scammers create fake profiles on dating sites or social media and try to establish relationships with you. They may ask you for money for travel expenses, medical emergencies, or other reasons.
The best way to avoid these scams is to never give out your personal or financial information over the phone unless you initiated the call and know who you’re
How to Get Fewer Robocalls
The good news is that you can reduce the number of robocalls you receive. Here are some tips and tools to block or label unwanted calls on your cell or home phone.
Optimize Your Phone to Block Robocalls
Many cell phones offer a “allowlisting” tool allowing calls only from numbers in your contact list. This can be a very effective way to block robocalls, but it may also block calls from people you want to hear from, such as your doctor, your child’s school, or your bank. Check your phone’s settings or user manual for instructions to use this feature.
Some home phones that make calls over the internet (VoIP) also have an allowlisting feature that you can activate through your service provider’s website or app. Again, this may block some legitimate calls, so use caution.
Another option is to use the “do not disturb” mode on your phone, which will silence all incoming calls and notifications except those you allow. You can usually customize this mode to let through calls from certain contacts or groups or anyone who calls twice within a certain period. This can be useful when you don’t want to be disturbed by robocalls but still want to receive urgent or important calls.
Use Your Carrier’s Anti-Robocall Tools
Last year big phone carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon installed STIR/SHAKEN call-filtering technology that recognizes most legitimate phone numbers while weeding out or warning you about spoofed or scam calls. This technology works automatically and doesn’t require you to do anything. However, it may only catch some robocalls, especially those outside the U.
In addition to STIR/SHAKEN, most phone carriers also offer anti-robocall tools that you can use for free or a fee. These tools may provide more features and options than the basic call-filtering technology. Here are some examples:
AT&T
AT&T offers Call Protect, which will display a “V” (for verified) on your caller ID for calls considered legitimate. It will also block or label calls that are likely spam, fraud, or telemarketing. You can download the Call Protect app for free if you have an eligible AT&T wireless plan or sign up for Call Protect Plus for $3.99 monthly for more features.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile offers two free anti-robocall tools: Scam ID and Scam Block. Scam ID identifies and tags suspicious calls as “Scam Likely” on your caller ID. Scam Block prevents those calls from reaching your phone at all. You can activate these tools by dialling #662# on your T-Mobile phone. You can also free download the Scam Shield app or upgrade to Scam Shield Premium for $4 monthly for even more features.
Verizon
Verizon automatically enrols eligible customers in the free version of Call Filter, which detects spam and blocks high-risk calls. It also labels other types of unwanted calls as “Potential Spam,” “Robocaller,” or “Potential Fraud” on your caller ID. You can download the Call Filter app for free to manage your settings and see more details about blocked and spam calls. Upgrade to Call Filter Plus for $2.99 per month for more features.
To find out more about your carrier’s anti-robocall tools, visit their website or contact their customer service.
Add More Robocall Protection
Downloading a third-party call-blocking app or signing up for your phone company’s separate robocall-blocking service could provide even more protection against unwanted calls. These apps and services use call data or reports from users, the FTC and other sources to predict which calls are illegal or likely scams. They then intercept those calls before they reach you.
Some of these apps and services are free, but you have to pay for others. To get a call-blocking app or service, you can:
- Go to the online app store for your phone’s operating system (iOS (Apple), Android, etc.) and look at app ratings.
- Look online for expert reviews on call-blocking apps or services.
- Check out apps listed at ctia.org (link is external), a website for the U.S. wireless communications industry. The site lists apps specific to Android (link is external), BlackBerry (link is external), iOS (Apple) (link is external),
Compare and contrast with similar alternatives.
Robocalls are not the only type of unwanted calls that you may receive on your phone. You may also get calls from live telemarketers, debt collectors, political campaigners, or survey takers.
These calls may be annoying, but they are not necessarily illegal or fraudulent. However, some may still violate your privacy or consumer rights if they call you without your consent, call you too often, call you at inappropriate times, or harass or threaten you. You can also use some of the tips and tools we discussed for robocalls to block or label these calls.
You can also register your number on the Do Not Call Registry to opt out of receiving telemarketing calls and tell any caller that you don’t want to be contacted again. If they continue to call you after that, you can file a complaint with the FTC or the FCC.
Benefits and drawbacks
Robocalls are a controversial topic with benefits and drawbacks for different stakeholders. On the one hand, robocalls can be used for legitimate and useful purposes, such as providing informational messages, debt collection calls, healthcare provider calls, or charity messages. These robocalls can help consumers stay informed, reminded, or connected with important services or causes. They can also save time and money for callers, who can reach many people with a single message.
On the other hand, robocalls can also be used for illegal or fraudulent purposes, such as scams, identity theft, or harassment. These robocalls can harm consumers by tricking them into giving up their personal or financial information, selling them products or services that are overpriced, defective, or nonexistent, or threatening them with arrest, lawsuits, or other consequences if they don’t comply. They can also annoy and disturb consumers by interrupting their daily life, wasting their time, and violating their privacy.
According to a survey conducted by Insider in February 2021, 46% of Americans reported receiving spam phone calls on their cell phone every day, and another 24% received them multiple times per week. These spam calls are not only a nuisance but also a threat affecting millions of Americans daily. Therefore, it is important to find ways to reduce the number of robocalls and protect consumers from phone scams.
How the Robocalls have evolved from previous models
Robocalls have a long history that dates back to the 1980s when they were first used by political campaigns and businesses to deliver pre-recorded messages to large numbers of people using tape decks and auto-dialers.
Since then, robocalls have evolved with the advancement of technology and the internet, becoming more sophisticated, cheaper, and easier to make and receive. Some of the improvements and innovations that have shaped the evolution of robocalls include:
- The use of computer software and voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) to generate and transmit robocalls over the internet from anywhere in the world. This allows robocalls to reach millions of phones with minimal cost and effort and to spoof their caller ID to disguise their identity or location.
- Personalized audio messages and speech recognition are used to simulate a personal phone call. This makes robocalls more engaging and convincing and allows robocallers to interact with the recipients and collect their responses or information.
- The use of call data or reports from users, the FTC, and other sources to predict which calls are illegal or likely scams. This helps phone companies, call-blocking apps or services, and consumers identify and block unwanted robocalls before they reach their phones.
These improvements have enabled robocalls to serve various purposes for different stakeholders. For legitimate organizations, such as charities, healthcare providers, or political groups, robocalls can be a useful tool to inform, remind, or connect with their audiences or customers.
For telemarketers or scammers, robocalls can be a lucrative way to sell products or services, solicit donations, or defraud people out of their money or identity. Robocalls can be a source of information, convenience, or annoyance for consumers, depending on their content and frequency.
Useful Resources
If you want to learn more about robocalls and how to stop them, you can check out these useful resources:
- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) website has a guide on how to stop unwanted robocalls and texts, as well as information on the latest actions and initiatives the FCC took to combat robocalls. You can also file a complaint with the FCC if you receive an illegal or spoofed call. Visit fcc.gov/consumers/guides/stop-unwanted-robocalls-and-texts for more details.
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website has a guide on blocking unwanted calls and information on the common types of phone scams and how to avoid them. You can also file a complaint with the FTC if you receive an illegal or scam call, are on the Do Not Call Registry, and still get telemarketing calls. Visit consumer.ftc.gov/articles/robocalls for more details.
- The Do Not Call Registry website allows you to register your phone number for free to opt out of receiving telemarketing calls from legitimate businesses. You can verify or update your registration or check if a phone number is on the registry. Visit donotcall.gov for more details.
If you want more protection from robocalls, consider using a call-blocking app or service from a third-party provider. Many options are available in the market, each with different features and prices.
Here are some examples of call-blocking apps or services that you can choose from:
- Nomorobo is a service that blocks robocalls, telemarketers, and phone scams from reaching your phone. It works by analyzing the caller ID and the frequency of calls from a number and then intercepting those that are likely unwanted. You can also report numbers that are not blocked or unblock numbers that are blocked by mistake. Nomorobo is free for landlines and costs $1.99 per month or $19.99 per year for mobile phones. Visit nomorobo.com for more details.
- RoboKiller is an app that blocks spam calls, texts, telemarketers, and scammers. It uses a database of over 1.4 million spam numbers, user feedback, and machine learning to identify and block unwanted calls. It also features answer bots that answer spam calls for you and waste their time with hilarious pre-recorded messages. RoboKiller costs $3.99 per month or $29.99 per year for mobile phones. Visit robokiller.com for more details.
- Hiya is an app that identifies and blocks spam, fraud, and robocalls. It uses a global database of spam numbers, user reports, and smart algorithms to detect and stop unwanted calls. It also provides caller ID and reverses phone lookup features to help you identify unknown callers. Hiya is free for basic features and costs $3.99 per month or $14.99 per year for premium features for mobile phones. Visit hiya.com for more details.
What to Do If You Get an Illegal Robocall
If you receive a robocall trying to sell you something (and you haven’t given the caller your written permission), it’s an illegal call. You should hang up immediately and not interact with the caller in any way. Pressing a button or speaking to a live person may only lead to more robocalls.
After you hang up, you should file a complaint with the FCC and the FTC. These agencies use consumer complaints to identify and take action against illegal robocalls. You can file a complaint with the FCC at fcc.gov/complaints (link is external) or by calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322). You can file a complaint with the FTC at donotcall.gov (link is external) or by calling 1-888-382-1222.
If you have one, you should also report the call to your phone carrier or your call-blocking app or service. This will help them improve their call-filtering technology and block more unwanted calls in the future.
If you lost money to a robocall scam, you should also report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov (the link is external). This will help the FTC track down and stop scammers and provide you with resources and tips on recovering from identity theft or other fraud.
What the Government and Phone Companies Are Doing to Combat Robocalls
The government and phone companies work together to combat robocalls and protect consumers from scams. Some of their initiatives include:
- The Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act was signed into law in 2019. This law gives the FCC more authority and resources to go after illegal robocalls, requires phone companies to adopt STIR/SHAKEN call-filtering technology, and establishes an interagency task force to coordinate anti-robocall efforts.
- The STIR/SHAKEN call-filtering technology stands for Secure Telephone Identity Revisited (STIR) and Signature-based Handling of Asserted Information Using Tokens (SHAKEN). This technology verifies that the caller ID information transmitted with a call matches the caller’s phone number. This helps prevent spoofing and identify legitimate calls.
- The Do Not Call Registry is a free service that lets you register your phone number to opt out of receiving telemarketing calls. You can register your number at donotcall.gov (link is external) or by calling 1-888-382-1222. Legitimate telemarketers consult the registry to avoid calling numbers on the list. However, this service does not stop illegal robocalls or calls from exempt organizations, such as charities or political groups.
- The Robocall Response Team comprises 51 experts from the FCC, FTC, Department of Justice, Department of Commerce, Department of Homeland Security, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and state attorneys general. The team was formed in 2021 to coordinate actions against robocalls and develop new policies and solutions to protect consumers.
These initiatives are progressing in reducing robocalls, but they could be more foolproof. That’s why you still need to be vigilant and use the tips and tools discussed in this article to block or label unwanted calls on your phone.
Conclusion
Robocalls are a nuisance and a threat affecting millions of Americans daily. They can interrupt your daily life, waste time, and scam you out of your money or identity. But you don’t have to put up with them. You can take steps to stop them and protect yourself from phone scams.
In this article, we covered:
- Why do you get so many robocalls
- How to identify and avoid robocall scams
- What kinds of robocalls are allowed, and what kinds are illegal
- How to get fewer robocalls
- What to do if you get an illegal robocall
- What the government and phone companies are doing to combat robocalls
We hope you found this article helpful and informative. If you did, please share it with your friends and family, who may also benefit from it. And remember: if you get a robocall, don’t answer it, hang up on it, report it, and block it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are robocalls?
A robocall is a call that delivers a pre-recorded message through an auto-dialer or contains a message made with a pre-recorded or artificial voice.
Are robocalls legal?
Some robocalls are legal, such as informational messages, debt collection calls, healthcare provider calls, or charity messages. However, robocalls that try to sell you something are illegal unless you have given your written permission to the caller. Robocalls that are designed to scam you are also illegal.
Why do I get so many robocalls?
You get so many robocalls because it’s cheap and easy for scammers and telemarketers to make them over the Internet anywhere. They also use spoofing techniques to fake their caller ID and make it look like they are calling from a local or trusted number.
How can I know if a robocall is a scam?
If you receive a robocall that asks you to press a button, answer a question, or provide your personal or financial information, it’s likely a scam. Don’t rely on your caller ID, as scammers can fake it. Watch out for common phone scams, such as government impersonator scams, tech support scams, lottery or sweepstakes scams, charity scams, or romance scams.
How can I get fewer robocalls?
You can get fewer robocalls by using various tips and tools to block or label unwanted calls on your cell or home phone. These include optimizing your phone settings, using your carrier’s anti-robocall tools, downloading a third-party call-blocking app or service, and registering your number on the Do Not Call Registry.
What should I do if I get an illegal robocall?
If you get an illegal robocall, you should hang up immediately and not interact with the caller in any way. You should also file a complaint with the FCC and the FTC, report the call to your phone carrier or call-blocking app or service, and block the number if possible.
What are the government and phone companies doing to combat robocalls?
The government and phone companies work together to combat robocalls and protect consumers from scams. Some of their initiatives include the TRACED Act, which gives more authority and resources to the FCC to go after illegal robocalls; the STIR/SHAKEN call-filtering technology, which verifies the caller ID information of incoming calls; the Do Not Call Registry, which lets you opt out of receiving telemarketing calls; and the Robocall Response Team, which coordinates actions against robocalls and develops new policies and solutions.
