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3 Ways to Dial Down Robocalls

Blog Post
2 min read
robocall

Robocalls have invaded our daily lives with unwanted interruptions, hawking everything from lower credit card rates to extended car warranties. Worse yet, scammers have added them to their arsenal to claim unsuspecting victims. While regulating such calls has proven challenging, there are steps you can take to dial down annoying robocalls and reclaim your phone.

What is a robocall?

A robocall delivers a pre-recorded message to your telephone. Robocalls are more efficient and often cheaper than a “live” telemarketer. Caller ID usually fails to correctly identify such calls since numbers can be spoofed and appear to originate from trusted companies. Displayed phone numbers may even appear similar to your own, increasing the likelihood of you answering the call.

How do robocallers get my phone number?

Robocallers may have obtained your phone number by:

  • Buying it from a third-party provider
  • Capturing it when you dialed an "800," "888," or "900" number
  • Collecting it when you listed it on a contest entry or warranty card

Additionally, robocallers use automatic dialing devices to determine possible phone number combinations, even unlisted numbers.

How can I stop robocallers from contacting me?

The first thing you should do is ignore suspected robocalls.

If you accidentally answer the call, do not follow the suggested prompts. Robocalls encourage you to press a number on your dial pad to speak to a representative or unsubscribe from their database. But doing so only confirms they’ve reached a live phone number, leading to an increase in robocalls from the same or different companies.

You can take the following actions to reduce the overall number of telemarketing calls you receive:

  • Sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry. This is a database managed by the Federal Trade Commission. Adding your number to their system is meant to reduce sales calls from legitimate companies. It doesn’t block callers or prevent scammers from dialing your phone number.
  • Secure a second phone number. Use a disposable number for non-essential communication. For example, you might provide it when you sign up for services, fill out optional contact forms, or enter sweepstakes. 
  • Use call-blocking technology. Mobile phone providers and manufacturers offer users call-blocking software and apps to help filter out unwanted calls.

It’s possible to take back control of your phone line. While it takes consistent effort, it’s possible to silence automated interruptions and enjoy robocall-free evenings!