How to avoid being duped by robocalls now and forever

an industry-standard caller ID authentication technology, which is a set of technical standards and protocols that allow for the authentication and verification of caller ID information for calls carried over Internet Protocol (IP) networks.

 

Tips for protecting your privacy and avoid being scammed over the phone

Don’t recognize the number – Don’t pick up

Simple as this sounds, this is the easiest way of avoiding a potentially dangerous call. Most carriers now have a way of identifying robocalls by identifying them as “Spam Risk” or the like. Another way they try to get you is by using your local area code, sometimes even the first three digits of your or a family member’s phone number, to entice you to answer. Making it all the more important for you to take an extra careful look at the number on your screen.

 

Block numbers in your phone settings

Another way around this is by blocking unknown phone numbers in your phone settings

For iPhone users: To silence unknown callers:

  • Tap Settings
  • Tap Phone
  • Tap Silence Unknown Callers
  • Then toggle to turn it on – it will turn green
  • If a 911 call is placed, this feature is disabled for 24 hours so that emergency calls to you can ring through

For Android users: To silence unknown callers:

  • Tap Settings
  • Tap Block numbers
  • Turn on the Block Unknown Callers feature

*Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer

One thing that is important to remember should you use this feature is that it not only blocks potential SPAM callers, but it also blocks any unknown phone number you have never called or texted. So you might want to think twice about enabling this if you’re expecting a call from someone from whom you haven’t received a call or text

 

Manually block numbers from spam robocalls

Should an unknown number have called you and not left a voice message, it’s more than likely it was a robocall. While other robocalls go directly to voicemail with a threatening or enticing message, urging those truly vulnerable to act fast. Either way, you can manually block these numbers on an iPhone by:

  • Tapping the unknown number
  • Scroll down on your screen and tap “Block This Caller”
  • Tap “Block Contact”

Use your wireless carrier’s free spam and robocall-blocking service

Several wireless carriers provide their own free robocall scanning and blocking services. Among them:

  • AT&T Call Protect- available for iPhones and Androids, lets customers manually block unwanted calls and labels suspected robocalls as a “spam risk,” as well as making efforts to prevent unwanted calls from reaching you
  • Sprint/T-Mobile Scam Shield– an app that labels all potentially dangerous calls as “Scam likely” and opens free controls for several anti-scam protections, including Scam ID, Scam Block, and Caller ID. Additionally, the app also provides you with a second phone number for use instead of your private one, ideal for online shopping and helping you avoid calls from scammers as well as telemarketers
  • Verizon Call Filter app– helps protect you from unwanted calls and lets you decide who can reach you. Call Filter also detects spam and blocks high-risk spam calls by forwarding them to voicemail

Third-party spam-blocking apps

Several third-party apps can help protect you from scam artists. Among our most recommended include:

  • RoboKiller is an app that claims to reduce 99% of unwanted calls or texts. The app is not free for iPhone and Android users. However, it comes with a 7-day free trial, which might be worth checking out before investing.
  • Call Control is an app currently only available to Android users; the app helps you filter out unwanted callers by manually adding them to a blacklist
  • Nomorobo For those of you who still have a landline, thanks to a package deal with your internet providers, this app help prevent robocalls from reaching you both at home and on the go. Currently free for VolP landlines, the basic mobile package currently starts at $1.99 a month

 

A voice provider blocked from the entire U.S. phone network

 

A notable first for the FCC

After several notable threats to phone service providers for failure to comply, this is the first time the government has formally blocked a voice provider, marking a hopeful sign of bringing spam robocalls to an end. With the order preventing providers from accepting phone traffic from Global UC, the move could be hugely detrimental to their business, as they rely on sending calls to other networks to turn a profit.

  • Open the Messages app on your iPhone and then the message from the number you want to block
  • Tap the number or contact name at the top of the conversation
  • Tap Info
  • Scroll down and tap Block this Caller
  • Open the messaging app on your Android device
  • Find the spam message you want to block
  • Tap and hold the message until a menu appears
  • Look for an option like Block or Spam and select it
  • Confirm you want to block future messages from that sender

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer

 

Most carriers also offer options to block spam calls and texts such as Verizon’s Block Calls & Messages, AT&T’s Secure Family,  and T-Mobile’s Message blocking.  The exact steps to use these features will vary depending on your carrier.

 

Regrettably, there is a high probability that your phone number is readily available on many lists sold by data brokers to hundreds of people search websites.  However, if you remove it from the web it can reduce the likelihood of spammers and telemarketers obtaining your number and contacting you.

A data removal service like Incogni can help you remove personal information including cell phone number as well as your sensitive personal information such as your name, age, home address, email addresses, your family members, other people associated with you, your income range, credit score range, political preferences, criminal records, and much more.

Incogni has a very clean interface and will scan 195+ websites for your information and remove it …and keep it removed.  Go ahead and try entering your information just to get a sense of the information that is out there about you.

Special for CyberGuy Readers (60% off):  Incogni offers A 30-day money-back guarantee and then charges a special CyberGuy discount only through the links in this article of $5.99/month for one person (billed annually) or $13.19/month for your family (up to 4 people) on their annual plan and get a fully automated data removal service, including recurring removal from 190+ data brokers.  I recommend the family plan because it works out to only $4.12 per person per month for year-round coverage. It’s an excellent service, and I highly recommend at least trying it out to see what it’s all about.

Get Incogni here

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Check out my top picks for removal services here.

 

Have you had success combatting robocallers? Comment below.

 

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3 comments

Martin February 5, 2023 - 6:28 am
On Android, you can add unique ring tones to anybody, or any telephone number that's included in your Contacts list. So I add distinctive ring tones to Family. Friends, Business I know, Medical Professionals, etc. You can be creative and the distinctive sounds let you know which category of contact is calling, even before you look at your mobile screen. Android also allows you to add Distinctive ring tones to all general calls not included in your contact list... Guess what my ringtone is for: general, unknown, and spam callers? It's 'No Ringtone' so the phone never rings if the caller fits into the above, unknown categories. The phone will still answer the call, but it will automatically go to message, and silently alert me that there is a phone message waiting to be heard. Guess what? 90% of the robo callers, hang up after my carrier asks to leave a message. Problem solved!
David L. July 28, 2024 - 3:43 pm
You don't tell how to block robo calls from a land line. I know I am in the minority, but cell lines and electricity go down in my hurricane prone area so we keep the land line so we can call out in emergencies. Is there a way to get rid of these calls on a land line?
Kurt Knutsson July 28, 2024 - 5:05 pm
Hi David, Please see our tips on how to block robocalls on landlines here.
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