Understanding Why You Receive Unwanted Calls
Unwanted calls have become a major problem in the United States. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reported that Americans received over 3.7 billion robocalls in a single month in 2023. Understanding where these calls come from helps you take steps to reduce them.
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Unwanted calls fall into several categories. Robocalls are automated calls that deliver recorded messages, often from telemarketers or scammers. Telemarketing calls come from companies trying to sell products or services. Spam calls are deceptive calls designed to trick you into giving personal information or money. Scam calls impersonate government agencies, banks, or other trusted organizations to commit fraud.
Callers obtain your phone number through several methods. They may purchase lists of phone numbers from data brokers. They sometimes use random number generation to call thousands of numbers at once. When you respond to a scam or provide your number online, it may be added to lists shared with other scammers. Websites, apps, and public directories can expose your number. Data breaches sometimes leak phone numbers along with other personal information.
Bad actors use various tactics to make calls appear legitimate. Caller ID spoofing allows them to display a fake phone number, often one that looks local or official. They may impersonate government agencies like the Social Security Administration or IRS. Some pose as banks asking you to verify account information. Others claim you have won a prize or owe money.
Practical Takeaway: Knowing that unwanted calls use deceptive tactics helps you recognize them. You can assume that legitimate organizations will not call asking for passwords, Social Security numbers, or banking information over the phone.
Using Built-In Phone Features to Block Calls
Modern smartphones include features designed to reduce unwanted calls. These tools work directly on your device and require no additional software or payment. Learning to use these features is one of the first steps toward reducing spam calls.
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iPhones offer several blocking options in the Phone and Settings apps. You can enable the "Filter Unknown Senders" feature, which separates calls from people not in your contacts into a separate tab. Calls from known contacts still ring through normally. You can also block individual numbers by opening a recent call, tapping the information icon, and selecting "Block this Caller." iPhones let you report calls as spam directly through the Phone app, which sends information to Apple and carriers about problematic numbers.
Android phones have comparable features. The Phone app includes a "Block numbers" option where you can enter specific numbers you wish to block. You can enable "Filter Unknown Senders" to separate calls from unfamiliar numbers. Google's Call Screen feature, available on newer Pixel phones, can automatically filter likely spam calls. Like iPhones, Android phones allow you to report numbers as spam, helping improve filters for all users.
Third-party apps available through app stores provide additional filtering. Popular options include TrueCaller, which identifies spam calls using a large database of known spam numbers; RoboKiller, which uses artificial intelligence to detect spam patterns; and Nomorobo, which filters calls against lists of known robocalls. Many of these apps offer free versions with basic filtering. Some charge monthly fees for advanced features like spam call blocking before your phone rings.
Carriers also provide tools. AT&T Call Protect, Verizon Call Filter, and T-Mobile Scam Shield help identify and block unwanted calls. Some carriers include basic versions for free and charge for premium versions with stronger filtering.
Practical Takeaway: Start by using your phone's built-in blocking features at no cost. If unwanted calls continue, download one of the well-reviewed third-party apps to add an extra layer of protection.
Managing Your Phone Number and Personal Information Online
Limiting how widely your phone number is distributed reduces the number of unwanted calls you receive. Your phone number is valuable to marketers and scammers. Taking steps to keep it private is an important part of reducing spam.
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Review where your phone number appears online. Search your name and phone number in Google to see what publicly available information exists. Check social media profiles to ensure your phone number is not visible to the public. Many people do not realize their number is listed in their Facebook or LinkedIn profile settings. Adjust privacy settings to limit who can see your contact information. If your number appears in online directories, you may be able to request removal directly from the directory's website.
Be cautious when providing your number to businesses. When a store or restaurant asks for your phone number at checkout, you can usually decline or provide a fake number. Online forms often ask for phone numbers when only an email address is truly necessary. Review what information is actually required before entering it. When you must provide your number, check the company's privacy policy to understand how they use and share phone numbers.
Unsubscribe from marketing lists when possible. If you receive marketing calls from a legitimate company, you can ask to be placed on their do-not-call list. The National Do Not Call Registry allows you to register your phone number to reduce telemarketing calls. You can register online at donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from your phone. The registry may take up to 31 days to take effect. Registration lasts five years and then must be renewed.
Consider using a secondary phone number for online shopping, account signups, and other situations where you must provide a number but do not want to share your primary number. Free services like Google Voice provide a virtual phone number that forwards calls and texts to your real phone. This approach keeps your actual number more private.
Practical Takeaway: Search yourself online to see where your number appears, remove it from public directories and social media, and register with the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce calls from legitimate telemarketers.
Recognizing and Responding to Scam Calls
Scammers use convincing tactics to steal money and personal information. Learning to recognize common scam patterns protects you from falling victim. Scammers often sound professional and create a sense of urgency to prevent you from thinking clearly.
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Common scams include the Social Security scam, where callers claim your Social Security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity and ask you to confirm your number or provide banking information. The IRS impersonation scam involves callers claiming you owe back taxes and threatening arrest if you do not pay immediately. Tech support scams use pop-ups or phone calls claiming your computer has a virus and requesting remote access to your device. Prize and lottery scams notify you that you have won a contest you never entered and ask for payment to claim the prize. Grandparent scams target elderly people by impersonating grandchildren in emergency situations needing money.
Legitimate government agencies and banks never call asking for personal information. The Social Security Administration will not call you about account issues. The IRS does not initiate contact by phone regarding unpaid taxes; they send letters first. Your bank will not call asking for your full account number or PIN. Law enforcement does not threaten arrest by phone over money owed.
When you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately. Do not press any numbers or say "yes" to questions, as scammers record these responses to use later. Never give personal information, banking details, or payment information over the phone to someone who called you. If the call is about a government agency or bank, hang up and call the official number on your bank statement or government website to verify. Report the call to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Report scams targeting seniors to the National Center on Elder Abuse at 1-855-500-3537.
If you have already given information to a scammer, take action. Contact your bank and credit card companies to alert them. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports by contacting the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Consider freezing your credit to prevent identity theft. Report the crime to local police and the FTC.
Practical Takeaway: Remember that legitimate organizations do not call asking for personal information. When in doubt, hang up and call the organization directly using a number from your statement or official website.
Creating a Practical Call Management Strategy
Reducing unwanted calls requires combining multiple strategies. No single approach eliminates all spam, but layering several methods significantly reduces how many unwanted calls reach you. A practical strategy involves using phone