In our last blog, we mentioned that Robo-calling is up 32%
Since most of these companies are simply out to get your money, they are not legitimate businesses with any integrity, but rather scammers, thieves and liers. And they do NOT play by the laws and regulations designed to protect us.
But there’s good news on the horizon. A few months ago, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) passed a rule giving telecommunication companies more leeway to block robocalls. Before this ruling, the FCC has always required phone companies to complete all calls, much in the same way the postal service is required to deliver all your mail, even the junk. So, look for your phone service provider to start offering call-blocking tools in the future. But in the meantime, here are some things you can do to reduce those unwanted calls. Unfortunately they are more reactive than proactive, and not guaranteed…
- If you are on our VoIP network, you can enter the robo number into your personal call blocking list. Please note that many of these scammers do changes their caller ID on a regular basis.
- Set up “anonymous call rejection” option: This is a free landline-calling feature available from most telephone companies. It lets you screen out calls from callers who have blocked their caller ID information — a favorite tactic of telemarketers. To set it up, you usually have to dial *77 from your landline, though different phone services may have different procedures to set it up. Call your telephone service provider to find out if they offer this feature, and if so, what you need to do to enable it.
- Don’t pick up: If you have a caller ID, another tip is to simply not answer the phone unless you recognize the number. But if you do answer and it’s a robocall, you should just hang up the phone. Don’t press 1 to speak to a live operator and don’t press any other number to complain about the call or get your number off the list. If you respond by pressing any number, you’re signaling that the autodialer has reached a live number and this will probably lead to more robocalls.
- Copy down the number and go to your web browser, look up the number and in many cases you can lodge a complaint and alert others to scams. We are personally experience several times a week.
- 800notes.com is our favorite website to search caller IDs.
- It’s also important that you report illegal robocalls to the Federal Trade Commission at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov or call 888-225-5322, and sign the Consumer Union petition at EndRobocalls.org to pressure phone companies to start offering free call-blocking technology. Over time, the government might truly do something beneficial.
- Buy a robocall-blocking device: If you don’t mind spending a little money, purchase a call-blocking device like the Sentry 2 ($59) or Digitone Call Blocker Plus ($100).
- Sign up for Nomorobo: This is a free service and works only if you have an Internet-based VoIP phone service. It does not work on traditional analog landlines or wireless phones.
- Call your telephone service provider. Ask a customer service representative whether call blocking is an available feature. … Dial *60
- To register via the Internet, go to www.donotcall.gov . To register by phone, call 1-888-382-1222 (voice) or 1-866-290-4236 (TTY). You must call from the phone number you wish to register.
