How do I make spam calls silenced?
Spam calls, also known as robocalls, are automated phone calls that deliver pre-recorded messages. They are often associated with scams, fraudulent activity, or unsolicited telemarketing calls.
The prevalence of spam calls has increased dramatically in recent years. According to one report, 59.49 million Americans lost money from a phone scam in 2021, a 22% increase from 2020.
Spammers make these robocalls for a few key reasons:
- Scams – Criminals use robocalls to steal money or personal information through phishing attacks, fake charities, fraudulent billing, and other scams.
- Marketing – Telemarketers utilize robocalls to advertise products, promotions or services without consumer consent.
- Politics – Robocalls are sometimes used for political surveys, fundraising, and campaign events.
The low cost of autodialing technology paired with the potential for high response rates make robocalling an attractive option for scammers, telemarketers and other organizations despite being a nuisance for consumers.
The harms of spam calls
Spam calls cause a range of negative impacts on individuals and society. Though often thought of as just a nuisance, spam calls can lead to significant harm through disturbance, wasted time, scams, and anxiety.
The constant influx of scam and spam calls creates a nuisance when our phones are ringing off the hook throughout the day with unwanted calls. These unsolicited calls disrupt people during work, family time, or activities. The frequent disturbance from spam calls is more than just an annoyance.
Spam calls also lead to wasted time as people answer calls that turn out to be recorded messages or scammers. The US loses over 20 billion hours per year dealing with scam calls, estimated to cost around $3 billion in lost productivity [1]. Even just a few minutes wasted on each spam call adds up to major losses for individuals and businesses.
Perhaps the greatest harm from spam calls comes through scams that manipulate and defraud people. Scammers often use phone spam to gather personal information for identity theft. Some spam calls try to trick users into paying money as part of a fake service scam or extortion threat. Losses to phone scams have amounted to $29.8 billion since 2016 [1].
Finally, the persistent disruption and scam risks from spam calls can cause stress or anxiety for some users. Frustration builds up dealing with the distraction and deception attempts in spam calls. There is also uncertainty around whether a spam call is legitimate or not, which produces anxiety about missing important calls. The overall impact is frustration and loss of a sense of security.
How to recognize spam calls
There are some common signs that can help you recognize when an incoming call is likely spam:
Calls from unknown numbers
One of the most obvious signs of a spam call is when you receive a call from a number you don’t recognize. Spammers often use auto-dialers to make calls from a wide range of numbers, so the number calling you is likely one you’ve never seen before.
Recorded voicemails
Many spam calls will not even connect you to a real person. Instead, you’ll get a prerecorded voicemail prompting you to press a number or call them back. These robotic voicemails are a telltale sign of a spam caller trying to get you to engage.
Calls hang up after one ring
Some spam callers will program their auto-dialers to hang up after a single ring. They do this to check if your number is valid, then they’ll add you to a list for more spam calls in the future. So if you get a call that rings only once before disconnecting, it’s likely a spammer checking your number.
Default smartphone settings for silencing spam
Many smartphones like iPhones and Android devices come with built-in settings to help silence spam calls. On iPhones, you can enable the ‘Silence Unknown Callers’ feature to automatically send all calls from unknown numbers directly to voicemail (Source: Apple Support). This can reduce disruptions from spam calls. You can also add specific numbers to your Blocked Contacts list on your iPhone to prevent them from calling you (Source: Verizon).
Additionally, Android and iPhones have ‘Do Not Disturb’ modes that allow you to silence calls during certain times or events. You can schedule Do Not Disturb to turn on automatically at certain times, like at night. You can also set exceptions so calls from certain contacts still go through (Source: Apple Support). This allows you to avoid spam calls during times you don’t want disruptions, while allowing important calls to reach you.
Toggling these simple settings on smartphones can go a long way towards reducing spam call disruptions.
Third party apps for blocking spam calls
There are several free and paid third-party apps that can help block incoming spam calls on both Android and iOS devices. Some of the most popular and effective options include:
Hiya – This free app for both Android and iOS uses crowd-sourced data and phone number lookups to identify suspected spam calls. Users can easily block numbers reported as spam. Hiya also allows you to hear the recorded name of an unknown caller to screen calls (Source).
RoboKiller – RoboKiller is available on iOS and Android and uses audio fingerprints, phone number lookups, and crowd-sourced reporting to automatically block and disrupt spam calls. The app also allows you to create custom block lists. RoboKiller has a subscription fee but offers a free trial period (Source).
Nomorobo – This spam blocking solution integrates directly with a user’s existing smartphone. It uses real-time analysis and blacklists to block and hang up on unwanted robocalls and spam calls. Nomorobo is available on both iOS and Android (Source).
YouMail – YouMail is a free app for Android and iOS that blocks suspected spam calls and sends them to voicemail instead. It allows you to screen calls with a prerecorded greeting and also offers advanced call blocking features with a paid subscription (Source).
Reporting spam calls
If you receive a spam call, there are a few ways to report it so the appropriate authorities can take action:
Report to the FTC – You can file a complaint about unwanted calls, including illegal robocalls, with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on their website donotcall.gov. The FTC uses consumer complaints to track down and stop illegal callers.
Report to your carrier – Most major phone carriers allow you to report spam phone numbers directly to them. They can then block those numbers from being able to call others on their network. Check your carrier’s website or call customer support for instructions.
Report in call blocking apps – Apps like Hiya and Robokiller enable you to report spam numbers from within their interface. They add reported numbers to a blacklist that gets shared with all users. This helps block the number more broadly.
The more people who report unwanted calls from a given number, the better chance there is authorities can track down bad actors. So take the time to report spam calls whenever possible.
Tips for avoiding scams from spam calls
One of the biggest dangers with spam calls is falling victim to phone scams. Here are some tips to avoid getting scammed:
Don’t engage with callers. If you don’t recognize the number, let it go to voicemail. Engaging with an unknown caller gives them an opportunity to scam you.
Look up numbers before calling back. Spammers often spoof legitimate phone numbers, so don’t call back right away. Look up the number first to verify who it belongs to.
Be wary of calls from your own number. Scammers will sometimes spoof your own phone number to trick you into answering. But no legitimate reason exists for you to be receiving a call from your own number.
For more information, see the Federal Trade Commission’s guide to avoiding phone scams: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0208-phone-scams
When a spam call might be legitimate
While most spam calls are obviously unwanted solicitations or scams, there are some cases where an automated call may actually be useful and provide value to the recipient. Some examples of potentially legitimate spam calls include:
Doctor appointment reminders – Many doctor’s offices and healthcare providers have automatic systems in place to call and remind patients about upcoming appointments. While the call itself may come from an unfamiliar number, these automated reminders can be helpful for those who want an extra prompt about their medical visits.[1]
School alerts – Schools often use automated calls or texts to inform families about weather closings, emergencies, or other school announcements. Parents generally want to receive these notifications about their children’s schools.[2]
Package delivery – Common carriers like FedEx, UPS, and Amazon frequently provide automated calls or texts with package delivery updates and tracking information. Expecting a package delivery, these automated alerts can be useful to recipients waiting on items.[3]
While these types of calls involve automation and come from unfamiliar numbers, they provide valuable alerts and reminders. Recipients can listen for identifying information to recognize these potentially useful calls.
Future outlook on blocking spam calls
Several efforts are underway to try and curb spam and robocalls. Major carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile have implemented network-level blocking and filtering to identify and block many spam calls before they reach customers. The FCC and FTC have pushed carriers to adopt the STIR/SHAKEN protocol for call authentication to reduce spoofing. There are also discussions around potential legislation to increase penalties for illegal robocallers.
Advancing technology like AI and machine learning has enabled more sophisticated spam blocking apps. Apps like Robokiller use algorithms to screen calls in real-time, building blacklists of spammers. As the technology improves, the ability to accurately identify and block spam calls should increase.
However, experts warn about the risk of overblocking legitimate calls as carriers and apps aggressively block suspected spam. The FCC cautions providers to avoid erroneously blocking wanted or emergency calls. As technology advances, maintaining a balance between blocking illegal spam and allowing legitimate calls remains an ongoing challenge.
Key takeaways
In summary, spam calls are an annoying but common occurrence as scammers use autodialers to reach as many numbers as possible. The most effective options for dealing with them include using your smartphone’s built-in blocking features, downloading reputable spam call blocking apps, and reporting unwanted calls to authorities.
Activating the “Silence Unknown Callers” option on iPhones or the various blocking modes on Android can automatically silence suspected spam without interrupting you. Apps like Nomorobo, RoboKiller, and Hiya can also identify and block likely spam calls using advanced filtering techniques and crowd-sourced databases.
While tools exist to manage spam calls, it’s important to remain vigilant. Avoid answering calls from unfamiliar numbers, don’t provide personal information over the phone, and hang up immediately if a call becomes suspicious. With caution and the right tools, it’s possible to significantly reduce interruptions from unwanted callers.