ARE ROBOCALLS AND TEXTS BLOWING UP YOUR PHONE?
Robocalls and texts can be annoying, frustrating, dangerous and even worse If not properly handled. Robocalls are phone calls that use a computerized autodialer to deliver a pre-recorded message, as if from a robot. Robocalls are often associated with political and telemarketing phone campaigns, but can also be used for public-service or emergency announcements.
As if all unwanted robocalls were not bad enough and disquieting, now there are spam texts to contend with. This often happens when you enter a suspicious website on the internet.
However, when you enter a suspicious website, you become vulnerable to being harassed with robocalls and texts. You may receive calls or spam messaging on contest deals or lottery games which you never opt in for.
FAQ ABOUT ROBOCALLS
Robocalls are calls made with an autodialer or that contain a message made with a prerecorded or artificial voice.
Advances in technology have unfortunately allowed illegal and spoofed robocalls to be made from anywhere in the world and more cheaply and easily than ever before. That's why it's become more of a problem for consumers, and a more difficult problem to solve.
Keep in mind that many robocalls are legal. While the government have taken several actions, and continue to work on reducing illegal robocalls, it is a difficult problem that requires complex solutions.
The most complex part is identifying the illegal calls in real time to be able to block them without blocking lawful calls.
TIPS TO STOP UNWANTED ROBOCALLS AND PHONE SPAM
Don't answer calls from unknown numbers. If you answer such a call, hang up immediately.
You may not be able to tell right away if an incoming call is spoofed. Be aware: Caller ID showing a "local number does not necessarily mean it is a local caller.
If you answer the phone and the caller -or a recording -asks you to hit a button to stop getting the calls, you should just hang up. Scammers often use this trick to identify potential targets.
Do not respond to any questions, especially those that can be answered with "Yes."
Never give out personal information such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, mother's maiden names, passwords or other identifying information in response to unexpected calls or if you are at all suspicious.
If you get an inquiry from someone who says they represent a company or a government agency, hang-up and call the phone number on your account statement, in the phone book, or on the company's or government agency's website to verify the authenticity of the request.
You will usually get a written statement by mail before you get a phone call from a legitimate source, particularly if the caller is asking for a payment.
Use caution if you are being pressured for information immediately.
A hacker could spoof your phone number and gain access to your voice mail if you do not set a password.
Talk to your phone company about call blocking tools they may have and check into apps that you can download to your mobile device to block unwanted calls.
If you use robocall-blocking technology already, it often helps to let that company know which numbers are producing unwanted calls so they can help block those calls for you and others.
To block telemarketing calls, register your number on the" Do Not Call List. Legitimate telemarketers consult the list to avoid calling both landline and wireless phone numbers on the list.
Source: Federal Communications Commission Consumer Guide 2020
Oyedeji Musbaudeen
KedNews Writer
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