Why Am I Getting So Many Spam Calls, and How to Stop Them?

Scammers can use spam calls for fraudulent activities to steal your personal information or harass you.
 

• Financial Fraud: Scammers can deceive you by saying they are from trusted entities like banks, government agencies, and tech companies and extort you to pay. They can use different tactics like fear and urgency. For example, scammers can introduce you to fake investment opportunities and tech services and trick you into making a payment.
• Malware Installation: Scammers may trick or force you to click on links through spam calls or messages. After you open the message, it automatically installs the malware software that steals data or damages your devices.
• Harassment and Annoyance: A sudden increase in spam calls at an inconvenient time could be frustrating, more like harassment. It causes stress and annoyance while killing your time.
• Ruin Mental Health: Repeated spam calls develop fear and tension. When you continuously become the victim of scams, it can impact your mental health. These calls can even lead to depression at times.

You are likely to receive spam calls if your number is leaked or shared through data breaches, online forms, or social media. Spammers may also use random number dialers, resulting in dialing your number.

If you have given your information to a company facing a security issue, it can experience data breaches, allowing scammers to access your data.

Suppose you’ve shared your number with a company, and unfortunately, the company has a weak security system. There’s a high chance of data breaches, which may have allowed scammers to access your data.

Social sites are a significant gateway to identity theft. We share our numbers on social networking sites for various reasons, which attract spammers' attention. As scammers easily get your number, this can lead to a sudden increase in spam calls. So, avoid oversharing information like home addresses, numbers, and other personal information on social sites.

Some unsecured sites may sell or share your data with third parties. So, signing up on unknown websites may also lead to spam calls. Also, some fake sites may use the phishing technique to trick you into obtaining your phone number.

If you’ve received a spam call previously, it shows that your number is active. Scammers mark you as a potential target and sell it to other spammers, which increases spam calls. Even simply pressing a ‘Pick Up’ button or calling back can lead to more spam, as scammers prioritize numbers that respond.

You are also likely to receive spam calls if your device is lost or stolen. Thieves or finders who access your contacts, messages, or stored data may sell it to spammers. If your phone is linked to your online accounts, scammers may also exploit it to steal your identity and personal information.

1. Register on the Do Not Call Registry
Register your number on the do-not-call registry. The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) manages this number list system to prevent telemarketing calls.

2. Call Carrier
Most network operators offer a call filtering service to identify spam calls. You typically won’t require a third-party app; it is a built-in feature to stop spam calls. They filter calls and show as spam when you receive spam calls on your phone screen.

3. Do not Answer an Unknown Number
Answering unknown calls can be risky because it shows that your number is active for scammers to target. So, be careful when you get a call from such numbers. Before answering the call, it’s better to take your time to research the caller.

4. Block Number
If you figure out the call is spam, immediately block that number. Nowadays, all mobile phones have a blocking option. If your device doesn’t have an in-built call-blocking feature, you can use third-party call-blocking apps to restrict unwanted calls.

5. Report the Number
Report the spam call to the concerned authority. When you report a spam number, it blacklists the number. Telephone carriers use these lists to block or mark calls as spam for other users.

Spam calls can affect both individuals and businesses. If you notice a sudden increase in spam calls, your number has likely been leaked to scammers or telemarketers. The best way to protect yourself is to ignore and block suspicious numbers. You can use your phone’s built-in call-blocking feature to filter out unwanted calls.

If you run a business and receive many spam calls, consider upgrading your phone system to Calilio. Its powerful cloud telephony features can help you detect and manage spam calls effectively. Sign up today!

When you answer spam calls, scammers trick you into providing personal information. They can use it to steal your money or identity.

Yes, Spam calls are harmful. You can lose your money and data from scams. Besides, they also waste your time, cause stress, and may expose your device to malware if you interact with them.

It’s better to avoid spam calls. If you decline a call, a spammer knows that your number is active, and then they can call you again in the future.