Robocalls are not only annoying, but a majority of them are illegal as well. In 2017 alone, the Federal Communications Commission(FCC) received a total of 4.5 million consumer complaints against robocalls. Despite numerous attempts to help eliminate these calls, the problem continues to get worse. According to a recent report from YouMail, consumers received an estimated 30.5 billion robocalls in 2017, up 19 percent from the previous record of 29.3 billion in 2016.
“Unwanted telemarketing and robocalls continue to our top our list of consumer complaints” says Mallory Wojciechowski, president and CEO of Better Business Bureau serving Eastern North Carolina (BBB). “While it is difficult to completely eliminate all calls, we have some great tips to cut down on the number of calls you receive.”
BBB offers the following tips for eliminating robocalls:
Let unfamiliar numbers go to voicemail. Unless you are expecting a call from someone, do not answer calls from numbers not in your contacts. If someone is truly trying to get in contact with you, they will leave a message.
Don’t trust your Caller ID. Even if the call appears to be coming from a local number, scammers are able fool the consumer by changing their caller id to any phone number, by using a practice called telephone spoofing.
Use a call blocking service. Even if you have your number registered with the Do Not Call Registry, scammers are still able to get through. Contact your telephone provider and ask for free call blocking services. If calls continue, there are many free and paid apps such as Nomorobo, a free calling blocking service for landlines and only $1.99/month for mobile phone after a free two week trial.
Don’t give out your number. Consumers often wonder how their information gets into the hands of scammers. Often times, we are the ones giving them this information. Next time you sign up for a contest or free trial offer, be sure to read the terms and conditions to make sure your information isn’t being sold to a third party.
Report the calls. Write down the phone number of callers violating the Do Not Call Registry and file a scam report with the BBB’s Scam Tracker and on the Federal Trade Commission’s Do Not Call List.
For more information you can trust, visit bbb.org.
