London – Unwanted phone calls are out of control. Whether it is a Robocall that tries to sell something or spam calls of scammers trying to cheat it, it is enough for you to stop responding to your phone. So what can you do to stop them?
The scourge of unwanted telephone calls has been qualified as an epidemic by consumer groups, while the Federal Communications Commission says it is the main consumer complaint. Calls are a discomfort for many common people, some of whom have complained about Associated Press.
“I need help to receive spam calls to stop,” said a reader in an email. He is receiving up to 14 calls per day despite the countermeasures he has used.
As the name implies, Robocalls are automated to deliver recorded messages to a large number of phones. A Robocall simply delivers a message or charges a debt under the regulations of the United States, but the Federal Commerce Commission says that Robocalls with a registered voice that tries to sell something is illegal unless he has given an explicit permission in writing to receive them. Many Robocalls are also probably scams, warns the FTC.
If you are flooded by unplayed calls, here are some ways to defend themselves.
Smart telephone users can turn on some incorporated configurations to combat unknown calls.
Apple advises iPhone users to activate unknown silence feature. Go to your “configuration”, then move down to “applications” and then to “Telephone”, where you will see it in the “Calls” section. When this turns on, any number of numbers with which you have never been in contact and that has not been saved in your contact list will not sound. Instead, they will be sent to the voice mail and will appear on their list of recent calls.
Android has a configuration That allows you to block calls from private or unidentified numbers, although you will still receive calls from numbers that are not stored in your contact list.
Keep in mind that I could also end without receiving important calls, which sometimes come from unknown numbers.
If an unwanted call is made, both Android and iPhone users can block the individual telephone number taking advantage of it in the recent list of people they call or on the call history list. You can also enter numbers directly into the block list of your phone.
Register in the National Do not call recordwhich is a list of numbers that have opted for most telemarketing calls. The Federal Commerce Commission, which runs the registration, says that it only contains telephone numbers and does not have other personal identification information, or the registration knows if the number is for a landline or a cell phone.
The FTC says that there are some exemptions, which include calls, calls from non -profit groups and beneficial organizations, and groups of legitimate surveys that sell anything. Calls of companies are also allowed until 18 months after you have done, or has sought to do business with them.
But it also warns that although having your number in the registry will reduce unwanted sales calls, it will not prevent the scammers from making illegal calls.
Other countries have similar records. Canada has yours, don’t call list While the United Kingdom has telephone preference Service.
Verify if your wireless operator has a call lock service. Verizon, T-Mobile and INANDTThree of the largest American networks, all have their own call filters so that customers block robocalls and report spam. In general, there is a free basic version and an advanced version that requires a subscription rate.
If your telephone company filters are not good enough, try third -party applications to eliminate people who call unwanted.
There are a lot of available smartphone applications that promise to block spam calls, such as Nomorobo, Youmail, Hiya, Robokiller, Truecaller and others. Many charge a monthly or annual subscription rate, but some offer a free basic option. Some can also be installed on fixed phones, but only if they use VOIP technology, not copper cables.
Associated Press has not tried any of these applications and is not making specific recommendations. We recommend that you read user reviews and try some for yourself.
Apple says that applications work by comparing the number of a person who calls with a list of known numbers and labeling them, for example, spam or telemarketing. Then I could automatically block the call. “Incoming calls are never sent to third -party developers,” says the company.
Did you know that you can file a complaint with the FCC about specific spam calls? You can do it easily through a Online form. It is possible that he does not provide immediate satisfaction, but the National Consumer Law Center says that the data on complaints are the best tool that federal agencies have to determine how large are Robocalls.
While the companies with which he has done business can do Robocalls, the National Consumer Law Center says that it is probably because he gave his consent, possibly hidden in the small print. But you can also revoke your consent at any time.
Simply tell the company’s representative who wants to “revoke the consent”, and if that does not stop them, communicate with customer service and tell them that it does not give your consent to receive calls and want your number to add to the “not call” list of the company, says the center.
You may be tempted to try to commit to the call in an attempt to get your call number or be put to a real person. The FTC warns of doing this and recommends that you simply hang.
“Pressing numbers to talk to someone or eliminate it from the list will probably only lead to more robocalls,” says the agency in her Council page. “And the number of your call identifier is probably not real. Call identification is easy to pretend “and you can’t trust, he says.
The Kaspersky cybersecurity company advises not to say anything when you receive what you think is a Robocall. We have all received scam calls that start with something like “Hello, can you hear me?” To what you probably have responded “yes” without thinking.
The scammers “can store the recording of their confirmation and use it for fraudulent activities,” says Kaspersky. “Then, avoid saying that whenever possible.”
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