How to Block Spam Calls on Your Home Phone

What Are Spam Calls?

Spam calls, also known as robocalls, are unsolicited phone calls that use pre-recorded messages or automated dialing systems to deliver a sales pitch or fraudulent message.

These calls are often made in bulk, targeting thousands or even millions of phone numbers at random.

Unlike legitimate telemarketing calls, which are made by real people representing real businesses, spam calls are typically generated by automated systems and may use deceptive tactics to trick recipients into answering. They may spoof legitimate phone numbers, making it appear as if the call is coming from a local area code or even a trusted organization.

While legitimate telemarketing calls are regulated and subject to laws such as the National Do Not Call Registry, spam calls often operate in violation of these regulations. They may promote fraudulent schemes, attempt to gather personal information through social engineering tactics, or simply aim to generate revenue through pay-per-call schemes.

It's important to note that not all pre-recorded messages are considered spam calls. Some legitimate organizations, such as schools, healthcare providers, or utility companies, may use automated messages for important notifications or reminders. However, these calls should still provide clear opt-out options and comply with relevant regulations.

Why Do You Get So Many Spam Calls?

You might be getting a lot of unwanted calls for several reasons, and it’s often because of how crafty scammers and automatic calling systems (robocallers) can be. Here are a few ways they might have gotten your number:

Your Number Was Shared or Leaked: Sometimes, your phone number might have been sold or accidentally given out to dishonest people, who then put it on their list of numbers to call.

Automatic Dialing Systems (Robodialers): These systems can call thousands of numbers all at once. Scammers use them to try reaching as many people as possible without much effort.

Caller ID Spoofing: This is when scammers fake the number that shows up on your caller ID to make it look local or like someone you might know. They do this hoping that you'll be more likely to pick up the phone.

Targeting Specific Area Codes: Sometimes, scammers target phone numbers in specific area codes or those that start with certain numbers. They use automated systems to call every possible number in these areas.

Where They Find Your Number: Your number could have been taken from many places, like during a data breach, from public directories, or bought from data brokers who collect and sell personal information.

Once your number gets on a spammer’s list, it can be tough to stop the calls. They keep trying because every so often, someone answers, and that’s enough for them to keep going.

Spam calls do more than just annoy you; they can seriously interrupt your day and lower your productivity. What's more, with your phone ringing all the time, it's tough to tell important calls from spam. This means you might end up missing calls from friends, family, or work—calls that might be about something urgent or important.

Security Risks of Spam Calls

Answering spam calls can put you at risk of scams and security threats. These calls usually come from people looking to trick you into giving away your personal or financial information.

One big risk from these calls is identity theft. Scammers might try to get you to share private information like your Social Security number, credit card details, or bank account numbers. With this information, they could open accounts in your name, make purchases, or take money from your accounts.

Financial scams are another common problem. Spam callers might pretend to be from real banks, government bodies, or tech support firms and tell you there’s a problem with your account or that you owe money. They pressure you to make payments right away or to give them your financial details, which can lead to financial losses.

There’s also the risk of phishing, where scammers try to get you to visit fake websites or download harmful software. This can put your computer at risk and lead to more serious problems like data breaches or ransomware.

It’s important to be careful with unexpected calls, especially if they ask for personal or financial information.

Remember, real organizations won’t ask for sensitive details over the phone or rush you to make payments.

If you think a call might be a scam, hang up and contact the organization directly through a trusted number to check if the call was genuine.

How Do I Stop Getting Spam Calls?

If you have been asking yourself, why do I get so many spam calls? but find no way out, don't worry. You can get rid of them by taking the steps described below.

Registering on the Do Not Call List

Registering your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry is one of the first steps you can take to reduce the number of unwanted telemarketing calls you receive.

The Do Not Call Registry is a free service managed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that allows consumers to opt out of receiving most telemarketing calls.

To register your phone number, you can visit www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you wish to register. You can register both your landline and mobile phone numbers on the Do Not Call list. The registration process is simple and only takes a few minutes. Once your number is on the Do Not Call Registry, telemarketers are legally required to stop calling that number within 31 days. However, it's important to note that the Do Not Call Registry does not prevent all unwanted calls. Calls from political organizations, charities, debt collectors, and surveys are still permitted, as well as calls from companies with whom you have an existing business relationship.

While registering on the Do Not Call List can help reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive, it may not completely eliminate spam calls from scammers and robocallers who intentionally disregard the rules. Nevertheless, it's a crucial first step in taking control of the calls you receive and reducing the overall volume of unwanted calls.

Call Blocking Features on Smartphones

Both iPhone and Android devices offer built-in features to help reduce spam calls.

On iPhones, you can enable the "Silence Unknown Callers" option, which routes calls from unknown numbers directly to voicemail. Additionally, you can add specific numbers to your blocked caller list to prevent them from ringing your phone.

Android devices also have a built-in call blocking feature that allows you to create a list of blocked numbers. Some Android manufacturers, like Samsung and Google, offer additional call screening and spam protection features through their proprietary apps and services.

Beyond the built-in options, there are several third-party apps and services available that claim to effectively block spam calls. Some popular options include Truecaller, Hiya, and RoboKiller. These apps use crowdsourced data and algorithms to identify and block known spam numbers. Many of these apps offer free basic versions, with more advanced features available through paid subscriptions.

It's important to note that while these call blocking solutions can be helpful, they may not catch every spam call, and some legitimate calls could potentially be blocked accidentally.

Additionally, some spammers use techniques like number spoofing, which can bypass basic call blocking measures. As a result, a combination of different strategies may be necessary to effectively reduce spam calls.

Community Phone's Spam Call Blocking

Most telecom providers do not offer call blocking services, leaving you with no option but to block and unblock numbers on your phone manually. Manually blocking spam calls is ineffective because numbers can be blocked only after receiving the call.

The only effective way to block spam calls is to switch to a provider that blocks them automatically before they reach you.

Community Phone offers home phone service with FREE spam call blocking that can stop unlawful and unwanted calls from reaching your home phone. It allows you to keep your home phone without tying it to the internet and block 100% of spam calls.

With two different types of services, Robocall Blocking and Complete Scam Blocking plans, Community Phone helps you stay in control of who can call you and when.

The Robocall Blocking feature allows users to block all robocalls before they reach their phone while the Complete Scam Blocking plan enables users to create an “Allow List” which will only allow contacts from that list to be able to contact them.

Learn more about how both services work below:

Option 1: Community Phone’s Robocall Blocking

Community Phone's Robocall Blocking is an effective solution to unwanted calls and spam. With this service, you can block 100% of spam calls and never worry about them again. The best part? It's free with any of their home phone plans, starting at just $39 per month.

How does the Robocall Blocking work?

1. When someone dials your Community Phone number, they won't hear your phone ringing immediately; instead, they will be asked to press 1 to connect.
2. Robocalls work by sensing when the recipient picks up the phone and speaks, so when no one does, the call never reaches your phone.

Robo-Call Blocking from Community Phone is easy to set up and use. Once you’ve signed up, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your private information isn't being exposed or compromised by spammers or malicious actors attempting to gain access through automated calls.

It is an incredibly cost-effective solution for anyone searching for a simple, quick way to block spam calls.

Option 2: Community Phone’s Complete Scam Blocking

Community Phone’s Complete Scam Blocking enables users to set an “Allowed List” of the people who can ring their phone.

All other calls are then blocked by default—preventing 100% of scam calls and unwanted solicitations without manually filtering through each call. This means no more interruptions during meals or when you’re in the middle of something important.

How does the Allowed List work?

The Allowed List is easy to set up and manage. You can create a list of contacts you want to receive calls from. This can include friends, family members, work colleagues, or any other people or businesses you are comfortable receiving calls from.

This list acts as a safelist of approved callers. Then, all other numbers not on your list will be blocked from calling your phone line.

If someone new attempts to call your phone line, the Allowed List will detect the unfamiliar number and automatically reject the call before it even reaches you.

Community Phone's Complete Scam Blocking provides an excellent solution for anyone looking for a convenient way to protect themselves against telemarketing scams, robocalls, and other types of unsolicited communication while still ensuring they never miss important calls from people they know.

Reporting Spam Calls

Reporting spam calls to the appropriate authorities is an effective way to combat this nuisance and hold the perpetrators accountable. By reporting these calls, you not only protect yourself but also contribute to the collective effort to curb this illegal practice.

One of the primary agencies to report spam calls to is the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC is a government agency responsible for protecting consumers from deceptive and unfair business practices, including illegal robocalls and telemarketing scams.

To report a spam call to the FTC, you can visit their website at www.ftc.gov/complaint and fill out the online complaint form. Alternatively, you can call the FTC's Consumer Response Center at 1-888-382-1222. When reporting, be prepared to provide details such as the date and time of the call, the phone number that called you, and any information about the caller or the nature of the call.

In addition to the FTC, you can also report spam calls to other relevant authorities, such as your state's Attorney General's office or the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC is responsible for enforcing rules and regulations related to telecommunications, including those governing robocalls and caller ID spoofing.

To report a spam call to the FCC, you can file a complaint online at www.fcc.gov/consumer-help-center or by calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322). When reporting to the FCC, provide as much information as possible about the call, including the date, time, and phone number that called you, as well as any details about the caller or the content of the call.

It's important to note that while reporting spam calls may not immediately stop them, it helps build a case against the perpetrators and contributes to the ongoing efforts to combat this issue.

Spam Call FAQs

How do I get rid of so many spam calls?

• You can register on the National Do Not Call list. Call 1-888-382-1222 (voice) or 1-866-290-4236 (TTY) for free.
• Call from the same number that you want to register
• You can also register at donotcall.gov.

Why am I receiving so many more spam calls?

• Usually, you receive spam calls because your number has been sold to scammers. They try their best to defraud you by calling you repeatedly.
• Make sure you report these scammers regularly to Better Business Bureau and Federal Trade Commission.

What happens when I call back a spam number?

If you call a spam number back:

• It may go to a high-cost international number.
• You will be paying for that call.
• And the scammer will be making money.

Therefore, you must avoid calling a spam number back. Instead, it is advised to block the number from your phone and report it immediately.

Should I answer spam calls?

• You should never answer spam calls. Picking up spam calls is terrible because it encourages scammers to keep trying to win you over.
• The Community Phone spam blocker is a better option to protect you from unwanted calls.
• It will automatically block all robocalls.

What are spam calls trying to do?

• Spam calls are trying to steal your data. Spam callers usually pretend to be authentic representatives of different companies, especially the ones you trust.
• The whole purpose of spamming is to extract as much of your information as possible and use it to defraud you. Spam calls ask for sensitive information such as credit cards, bank accounts, etc.

Can spam calls hack your phone?

• Spam calls cannot hack your phone directly. But by pretending to be representatives of a company you trust, they can get information that can help them hack your phone.
• They also try to hack into your phone by pretending they're from prestigious companies like Apple and encourage you to install malicious software that extracts data from your phone.

Conclusion

If you have the right technology, getting rid of spam calls is easy. Get the Community Phone spam call-blocker to find a long-term solution to the problem. Community Phone with Nomorobo is launching soon, which will pair with the already powerful spam blocker to give you added peace and security.