How to get rid of annoying automatic calls: 8 simple and effective ways

8 easy ways to stop robocalls, reports Money Talks.

Photo: Shutterstock

If your phone is ringing with annoying automatic calls, you are not alone. According to the YouMail Robocall Index, there were about 2021 billion robocalls in September 4.

While stopping automatic calls may seem like a daunting task, there are many ways to fight back, thanks to stricter federal laws and improved technology.

Below are a few tips on how to reduce annoying calls.

1. Contact your service provider.

The long-titled federal law, the Pallone-Thune RoboCall Harassment and Abuse Act of 2019, requires phone companies to implement authentication technology that allows them to determine whether incoming calls are legitimate before the calls reach their customers' phones.

The final deadline for fulfilling this requirement was no earlier than June 30, 2021.

But even before the Tracking Act became law, some major telephony operators introduced free robocall protection features or were working on authentication technology.

Therefore, check with your phone company or visit their website to find out what features, applications, or other technologies it offers to customers who want to reduce unwanted calls.

2. Check the capabilities of your smartphone.

In addition to the phone company, your smartphone's operating system may offer an anti-spam feature.

For example, some Android devices offer call protection as well as caller ID and spam protection.

Some Apple iOS devices offer a feature called Unknown Callers Mute, which allows you to send spam calls directly to voicemail.

3. Use a third party application.

If you're not happy with the anti-spam calling options that your phone carrier or smartphone operating system offers, consider looking for third-party apps.

Some of these apps, like Nomorobo and RoboKiller, have been recognized by the FTC.

The latter even allows you to get revenge on telemarketers by linking their phone lines to the mindless chatter of "response bots."

On the subject: How to protect the environment from losing stomachs: can we digest the food of the future

4. Don't answer calls from unknown numbers.

Don't answer calls from unknown numbers. If you answer accidentally or thoughtlessly, hang up immediately if the call sounds like telemarketing. If the caller is a human, he can always leave a message.

If the caller hangs up after one call and you do not recognize the number, do not call back: this could be a so-called one-time call scam.

5. Keep your number with you.

You know how companies and websites ask for your phone number for any reason - if you don't have to give it, don't give it. The more you give your number away, the more likely it is to be sold to a third party.

If you must provide a number—for example, if an online store requires you to provide it in order to place an order—consider providing a fake number.

6. Beware of spoofing.

Spoofing is a practice used by some unscrupulous callers to hide the phone number they are calling from.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants, and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York.

The goal is to make you think that someone else is calling so that you can answer the call.

As FCC officials warn: “You may not be able to immediately determine if an incoming call was tampered with. Please note: Caller ID displays a 'local' number, but this does not necessarily mean that it is a local caller. "

Be especially careful when filtering out these calls, which often come from scammers.

Common types of spoofing scams include impersonating:

• IRS
• Debt collector
• Computer support representative.

So, remember tip # 4: if you don't recognize the number, let the call go to voicemail.

7. Enter the Do Not Call registry

Enter your phone numbers on the federal national Do Not Call Register. It's free.

Just keep in mind that some organizations, including charities, political groups, and debt collectors, are tax exempt and thus may still call you even if you are on the Do Not Call register.

8. File a complaint.

If you have been on the call barring registry for a month or longer and still receive calls, report it to the FTC.

It may seem like a waste of time, but it doesn't take long and will help in the fight against automatic calls.

Read also on ForumDaily:

How is life in the USA: the view of an immigrant

$ 450 thousand per person: the Biden administration wants to pay compensation to the families of illegal immigrants divided at the border

American intelligence: the origin of the coronavirus will forever remain a mystery

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.