Unless it’s fried in a pan, nobody likes spam. Spam takes many forms, but the most intrusive of these are spam calls. Email and snail mail can be checked at your leisure, but phones are different – they demand an immediate response.
This is further amplified by widespread mass-use of smartphones. Most of us have a smartphone near us 24/7, so any call is immediately noticed as it indiscriminately interrupts the day.
It’s such an issue that unsolicited robocalls (from companies you don’t already have a relationship with) to mobile phones have been made
illegal. Sadly, this doesn’t stop some of them.
There are several ways to field robocalls. Let’s take a look.
1.) Block the number.
This may seem like the most obvious option, but there’s no harm in reminding people it exists. Most Android and IOS Apple phones come preinstalled with number-blocking features. There are also dozens of apps and services you can pick from to accomplish the same thing.
A note: If you install an app to block numbers, you may have to make it your default messaging/calling app for it to work.
2.) Avoid handing out your number.
When you fill out forms online (for example, signing up for a service, or checking out at your favorite online retailer) watch for which boxes are required, and which are optional.
You may not actually have to give them a phone number. By providing one anyway, you’re increasing the chances that they will either robocall you, or sell your number to someone to will.
In that same vein, make sure to always read the fine print. Some contracts allow for legal spam calls, and they’ll only stop if you specifically tell them to.
3.) Don’t pick up.
Sometimes, when human operators are involved, you can politely request to be removed from the calling list. This doesn’t work with robots, though. In fact, if you pick up the phone, say something, or press buttons, it can signal to the machine that you’re a good target. They will likely call more.
If you’re not sure if it’s a spam number or not, let it go to voicemail and research the number later. Or, if you did happen to pick up, don’t interact with the person/bot on the other end. Just hang up.
4.) For landlines.
Spam callers don’t differentiate between mobile and landline phones. Fortunately, there’s something you can do in both cases. If you’re in the United States, you can rely on two things to really put a dent in those spam callers – the National Do Not Call Registry, and the FTC.
The National Do Not Call Registry is self-explanatory. This free service lasts forever and will help you reduce the amount of spam in your life.
If the spam continues even once you’ve signed up with the registry, you can lodge a complaint with the FTC. Enough concerned citizens speaking out can prompt the FTC to investigate and fine companies
