Tips to Reduce Spam Calls
- First, use your free carrier’s app. Did you know that Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile offer customers a free tier of their spam-blocking technology app? These apps work off of regularly updated lists of known spam callers so that they can automatically block spam calls for you. From what we can tell, most people are unaware they’re entitled to this technology for free.
- Second, make sure you’re on the do not call list. You may have heard of this website year ago. It’s not 100%, but it helps reduce the number of spam calls you receive. Head to the FTC website and either add your phone number(s) or verify your registration is still valid.
- Third, keep blocking individual numbers. Receive a call you didn’t want? Manually block that number on your phone. Time-consuming? Yes. But this good, old-fashioned tactic does chip away at the possible spammer calls you receive.
What is the increase in spam and scam calls telling us?
Spam calls are still successful. Robocalls coupled to scam call centers are connecting with people that are susceptible to falling for scams.
What can you do about it? Seek out your friends and family that are likely to be susceptible to a scam call and talk about it. Help them with the #1 and #2 tips in the above section. You can also share these helpful articles:
- Seniors Against Scams Financial Education
- FTC Phone Scams
- AARP Phone Scams
- Social Security Scam Resources
