Unsolicited or cold calls are a nuisance. These phone calls tend to disrupt your day at the most awkward times and are persistent. More than often, they ask for personal information and try to lure you into buying something you don’t really want. Sometimes they are pre-recorded or autodialed without written consent. In this comprehensive guide, we will show you how to recognize these calls and how to report them effectively.
How to identify spam calls
- A delay in the caller responding when you answer. – There is often a delay in the response time when you answer the phone, especially in robocalls and autodial calls.
- A recorded message. – Telemarketers frequently pre-record messages to save time and money. They can be made from anywhere in the world. They make use of artificial or pre-recorded voices.
- A high-pressure sales pitch. – These know how to appeal to raw emotion and how to take advantage of it.
- Frequent calls from the same number. – Sometimes, even though you asked them to stop calling you, they don’t. The phone calls become more persistent and frequent.
- Calls from out-of-state or international numbers. – Not all international or out-of-state calls are spam, but, if you have no connections in those areas, you should be suspicious.
- Commercial or non-commercial text messages. – These are texts for which you have not given written consent.
- Spoofing. – Callers deliberately falsify the information transmitted to your caller ID to disguise their true identity.
All these types of calls violate a series of regulations set in place by official organisations to protect you and your legal rights. You should be aware of the various types of nuisance telemarketing calls and how to report them.
How to report unwanted telemarketing calls
1. Register Your Number with the National Do Not Call Registry. – The United States Government urges citizens to register their number in the Do Not Call Registry, either online at DoNotCall.gov or by phone at 1-888-382-1222 or TTY: 1-866-290-4236
2. Report Unsolicited Telemarketing Calls. – Many knowledgeable offices offer services to help you report these phone calls. They will assist you in reporting these spam calls, they will investigate your individual case, they will take action against them and show you how to stop the calls.
3. Use caller ID. – Telephones nowadays are equipped with caller ID. If you receive a phone call from a number you do not recognize, don’t answer. Even if the number is not international, it does not mean that it is indeed ‘local’.
4. Use Call Blocking Apps and Services. – There are many call-blocking apps and services available, especially for smartphones. They can help you identify and block spam calls.
5. Contact your phone service provider. – Many phone companies enable their customers to block additional unwanted calls by enrolling in a service or installing an app.
6. Be cautious with your personal information. – If you are asked for your Social Security Number, account numbers, maiden name, passwords or other identifying data, don’t give them.
7. Ask for caller information and verify their identity. – Ask for their name, the company they represent and their contact information. This way you will be able to check their legitimacy. If the telemarketer refuses or avoids providing you with this information, then it is most likely fraud.
Unsolicited telemarketing calls can be annoying, and even dangerous, but you can still preserve your peace and quiet. Train yourself to distinguish between spam calls and useful calls,and hang up the phone when you must. Register with the DoNotCall Registry and make use of services to block and report them. Take advantage of the available resources and contribute to their reduction for everyone. By following these steps, you will be able to regain control of your phone and communications.
