Stopping Dangerous Spam Calls

Spam calls are one of the most common methods fraudsters use to steal money and personal information. Every day, millions of people receive unwanted calls from scammers pretending to be government agencies, banks, technology companies, or even local businesses. Their goal is often to trick unsuspecting victims into revealing sensitive information such as account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, or credit card details.

One of the biggest dangers of spam calls is the increasing sophistication of modern scammers. Many criminals use "caller ID spoofing," which allows them to display a trusted phone number on your screen. This makes the call appear legitimate and increases the likelihood that someone will answer.

The financial consequences can be devastating. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to reduce or even eliminate many spam calls.

Enable Safety Features are on your Phone

• Enable spam-blocking features offered by your mobile carrier. Most major providers now offer free or low-cost call filtering services that automatically identify, and block suspected spam numbers.
• Take advantage of built-in smartphone protections. Both Apple and Android devices allow users to silence unknown callers or automatically filter suspected spam calls. These features can dramatically reduce interruptions from unwanted callers.
• Register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry. While this will not stop illegal scammers, it can significantly reduce legitimate telemarketing calls.

In the end the best protection is not answering these calls in the first place.  If the number is unknown to you or your phone indicates it may be spam, send the call to voicemail.  If it is a legitimate call, the person on the other line will leave a message.    

Never share personal information over the phone unless you initiated the call and have verified the organization's identity. If someone claims to represent your bank, utility company, or government agency, hang up and contact the organization directly using an official phone number.

Spam calls are an ongoing threat, but by combining call-blocking technology with cautious phone habits, consumers can greatly reduce their risk of becoming victims of fraud and enjoy a safer, less disruptive mobile experience.