Dealing with endless spam calls can be extremely frustrating. Here are several strategies to help reduce or stop these unwanted interruptions:
Register with the National Do Not Call List: Sign up for the Do Not Call Registry if you haven’t already. It won’t stop all calls, especially those from scammers who ignore the list, but it can help reduce sales calls.
Use Built-in Phone Features: Most smartphones have features to block calls from unknown numbers. On iPhones, for example, you can enable ‘Silence Unknown Callers’ from settings. Similarly, Android phones often have options to block specific numbers or unknown callers.
Download Third-party Apps: There are several apps available specifically designed to combat spam calls, such as Truecaller, Hiya, or Robokiller. These apps can identify and block spam calls effectively by using a comprehensive database of reported spam numbers.
Contact Your Service Provider: Many service providers offer call-blocking tools or services. Some providers have their own apps or services that automatically block suspected spam calls.
Don’t Engage with Callers: Avoid responding to these calls. Engaging with scammers can confirm your number is active and lead to more calls.
Report Spam Calls: You can report spam calls to organizations such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States. Though it may not result in immediate relief, it helps authorities track down offenders.
Use a Different Number for Non-essential Registrations: Consider using a secondary phone number or Google Voice number for online sign-ups and non-crucial communication, thus keeping your primary number more private.
Integrating these practices can significantly reduce the number of spam calls you receive. While it’s challenging to eliminate them entirely, consistent use of these methods should help you manage the issue better.