Unwanted robocalls and text messages have become a pervasive nuisance in our daily lives. While some robocalls, like appointment reminders or school closings, are legitimate, a significant portion are scams designed to defraud you. In 2023, Americans received an estimated 50.3 billion robocalls, a staggering number that continues to rise. These calls not only disrupt our lives but also pose serious financial risks. This comprehensive guide will provide you with up-to-date information and strategies to combat this growing problem in 2024.
Understanding Robocalls
Robocalls are automated telephone calls that deliver a pre-recorded message. They are often used for telemarketing, political campaigns, and unfortunately, scams. Advances in technology have made it easier and cheaper for scammers to make these calls, making it increasingly difficult to identify and block them.
Negative consequences of robocalls
Accepting or engaging with robocalls can have several negative consequences:
- Confirmation of an Active Number: When you answer a robocall, it confirms to scammers that your phone number is active and belongs to a real person. This can lead to an increase in unwanted calls and texts.
- Increased Risk of Scams: Engaging with robocalls makes you more vulnerable to falling victim to various scams, including identity theft, financial fraud, and phishing schemes. Scammers may try to trick you into revealing personal or financial information, or they may attempt to install malware on your phone.
- Wasted Time and Money: Even if you don’t fall victim to a scam, robocalls can waste your time and, in some cases, money. Some robocalls may try to keep you on the line for as long as possible, potentially incurring charges on your phone bill.
- “Yes” Scams: Some robocalls are designed to record your voice saying “yes.” Scammers can then use this recording to authorize fraudulent charges or sign you up for unwanted services.
- Negative Impact on Businesses: Robocalls can negatively affect businesses by disrupting their operations, reducing productivity, and damaging their reputation. If customers associate a business with spam calls, they may be less likely to answer legitimate calls from that company.
What Robocalls Are Allowed Under the Law
Certain types of robocalls are permitted by law. These include informational calls like flight cancellations, appointment reminders, school closures, debt collection calls, political messages, charitable donation requests, and messages from healthcare providers, banks, and telephone carriers.
What Robocalls Are Not Allowed
Any sales or marketing robocalls promoting goods or services are illegal unless you have given the company written permission. Most robocalls to your wireless phone are illegal even if they are not trying to sell you anything, unless you have specifically consented to receive them.
How to Handle Robocalls
The best way to deal with suspicious robocalls is to simply not answer them. If you do answer a robocall:
- DO NOT engage with the caller or follow their instructions.
- DO NOT press any buttons or respond to any questions.
- DO NOT provide any personal or financial information.
- DO NOT call back unknown numbers.
Reporting Unwanted Calls
It’s crucial to report all unwanted calls to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov. Your reports help them track down and take action against illegal robocallers.
- Call Blocking Apps: Consider using a reputable call blocking app for your smartphone. These apps use sophisticated algorithms and databases to identify and block robocalls. Many offer free versions with basic features, while paid versions often provide more advanced blocking capabilities.
- Spam Filters for Text Messages: Most smartphones have built-in spam filters for text messages. Make sure this feature is enabled to automatically filter out unwanted texts. You can also report spam texts by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM).
- Third-Party Call Blocking Services: Some phone carriers offer their own call-blocking services for an additional fee. These services often have more robust blocking capabilities than basic call blocking apps.
- Be Cautious with Your Phone Number: Avoid sharing your phone number online or with businesses unless absolutely necessary. Read privacy policies carefully and opt out of sharing your information whenever possible.
- Stay Informed: Keep up to date with the latest scams and robocall trends. The FCC and other consumer protection organizations regularly publish information about new scams and how to avoid them.
Common mistakes while responding to robocalls
The biggest mistake is answering calls from numbers you don’t recognize. This signals to robocallers that your number is active, leading to more calls. Some robocalls instruct you to press a button to speak to a live operator or be removed from their list. Pressing any button, even to opt out, confirms your number is active and can result in more calls.
If you do answer a robocall and are transferred to a “live operator,” you may unknowingly be speaking to another automated system or a scammer trying to get your personal information. Avoid saying “yes” or any other affirmative word during a robocall. Scammers can record your response and use it to authorize fraudulent charges or sign you up for unwanted services.
Never provide your social security number, credit card details, bank account information, or any other personal or financial information during a robocall. Legitimate companies will never ask for this information over the phone. If you miss a call from an unknown number, resist the urge to call back. This could confirm your number is active and make you a target for more robocalls. Failing to report robocalls to the FCC or your phone carrier can make it harder for authorities to track down and stop illegal robocallers.
Vigilance is Key
While technology can help mitigate the problem of robocalls, staying vigilant and informed is your best defense. By following the tips in this guide and reporting illegal calls, you can help reduce the number of unwanted calls you receive and protect yourself from scams. Remember, if a call seems too good to be true, it probably is.
