How to stop receiving a ton of unwanted telephone calls

Unwanted phone calls are out of control. Whether it is a robocall trying to sell you something or call spam from fraudsters trying to rip you, it’s enough to make you want to stop reply to your phone. Then what can you do to stop them?

The fraud of unwanted telephone calls has been called an epidemic by consumer groups, while the Federal Communication Commission says it is the highest consumer complaint. Calls are a concern for many simple people, some of whom have complained to the Associated Press.

“I need help receiving spam calls to stop,” read one in an email. It is lasting up to 14 calls a day despite the countermeasures it is employed.

As the name implies, robocalls are automated calls to deliver messages recorded in a large number of phones. A robocall simply to deliver a message or collect a debt is allowed according to US regulations, but the Federal Trade Commission says robocalls with a recorded voice to sell something are illegal if you have not given clear writing permission to obtain them. Many robocalls are also possible scams, warns FTC.

If you are flooded by unwanted calls, here are some way to fight again.

Phone settings

Intelligent phone users can activate some building settings to combat unknown calls.

Apple advises iPhone users to ignite the feature of unknown silence callers. Go to the “Settings”, then move down to the “applications”, and then to the “phone”, where you will see it under the “Calls” section. When you turn on this, any calls from the numbers you have never been in touch and have not been stored on your contact list will not sound. Instead, they will be sent to the voice mail and will appear on your last call list.

Android has a similar qualification that allows you to block calls from private or unidentified numbers, though you will still receive calls from numbers not stored on your contact list.

After this story was first published, a reader wrote with a way out about that problem: Leave your Android phone don’t bother, but configure it so that someone on your contact list is allowed to interrupt.

Just keep in mind that you can also end up with no significant calls, which sometimes come from unknown numbers.

If an unwanted phone call passes, both Android and iPhone users can block the individual phone number by inserting it into the last calls or in the call history list. You can also enter the numbers directly into the block list of your phone.

So don’t call

Sign up for the national register do not call, which is a list of numbers they have chosen by most telemarketing calls. The Federal Trade Commission, which runs the register, says it contains only telephone numbers and has no other personally identifiable information, nor does the register know if the number is for a fixing or a mobile.

FTC says there are some exceptions, including political calls, group calls and non -profit charities, and legitimate survey groups that are selling nothing. Calls from company up to 18 months after you have done – or asked to do – business with them are allowed.

But it also warns that while you have your number in the register will reduce unwanted sales calls, will not stop the fraudsters from making illegal calls.

Other countries have similar regis. Canada has its own non -call list while the United Kingdom has a telephone preference service.

Carrier filters

Check if your wireless carrier has a call lock service. Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T, three of the largest US networks, all have their own call filters for clients to block robocalls and report spam. Typically there is a free version and an advanced version that requires a reconciliation fee.

Try an app

If your phone company filters are not good enough, try third -party applications to remove unwanted callers.

There are a host of available smartphone applications that promise to block spam calls, such as Nomrobo, Youumail, Hiya, Robociller, Truecaller and others. Many charge a monthly or annual reconciliation fee, but some offer a free basic option. Some can also be installed on landline phones, but only if they use VOIP technology, not copper cables.

Associated Press has not tested any of these applications and is not making specific recommendations. We recommend reading user reviews and try some people.

Apple says applications operate by comparing the number of a caller to a list of familiar numbers and label them, for example, spam or telemarketing. Then can automatically block the call. “Input calls are never sent to third -party development,” the company says.

Call report

Did you know that you can file a complaint to FCC for specific spam calls? You can do it so easily through an online form. It may not give you immediate pleasure, but the National Consumer Law Center says complaint data are the best tool that federal agencies have to determine how big a robocalls problem is.

Just say no

While the companies you are doing business can do robocals for you, the National Consumer Law Center says it is probably because you give consent – maybe hidden in print. But you can also remember your consent at any time.

Just tell the company representatives you want to “revoke the consent”, and if that doesn’t stop them, contact the customer service and tell those you don’t get call and want your number to be added to the company’s “don’t call” list, the center says.

Hang out

You may be tempted to try to engage with the call to try to remove your number from the call list or be put to a real person. FTC warns not to do so and recommends hanging.

“Pressing numbers to talk to someone or remove you from the list will probably only lead to more robocals,” the agency says on its tips page. “And the number on your caller ID is probably not true. The caller ID is easy to fake” and cannot be trusted, he says.

Internet security company Kaspersky advises not to say anything when you get what you think is a robocall. We’ve all received scammy calls starting with something like “Hello, can you listen to me?” To which you probably responded “yes” without thinking.

Scammers “can then maintain your confirmation registration and use it for fraudulent activities,” Kaspersky says. “So avoid saying but where possible.”