Take these steps

Here’s a fact that may surprise you—robocalls are the number one complaint received by the Federal Trade Commission with more than 500,000 complaints per month. Robocalls, which are defined as automated calls with a recorded message, are more than a nuisance, many of them are tactics used by scammers to lure you in. Although hanging up or not answering at all seems like an ideal solution, everyone knows how relentless robocallers are; plus, it is hard to distinguish between the legitimate automated calls and the scams. Especially when unscrupulous crooks are now able to spoof phone numbers to make it look like a number you recognize.

Here are some steps you can take to stop robocalls:

Get on the “Do Not Call” list

The Federal Trade Commission has a “Do Not Call” list that you can sign up for. Although scammers are unlikely to follow the rules, legitimate companies that are auto-dialing you will, so it can reduce the number of calls you get. In addition, giving the FTC the information on the calls you’re receiving, like the numbers, the date and time of the calls and the frequency, is putting it on record, and can only help the FTC identify fraudulent calls.

Sign up for call blocking services

Depending on your provider, you may be able to block unwanted calls for free. Some cellular companies offer complementary options that include automatically blocking suspicious callers, a “scam likely” warning that pops up on your screen, while others will show the caller’s name if they’re not in your contacts. These services use technology that will scan your contacts to ensure calls you want to receive aren’t blocked.

Let them leave a message

Most people get many unwanted calls on their cell phones but may pick up if they’re expecting a call from a business, medical facility, etc. But if you don’t recognize the number, it’s a good idea to let the call go to voicemail. If the call is for real, the caller in most cases will leave a message, if it’s a scam, they will most likely hang up. Experts say you should be skeptical, which can protect you from accidentally engaging with scammers.

Give no information over the phone

We’ve heard it time and time again, but there are still many people falling for the traps that thieves lay. Remember, an organization that is authentic will not ask you for your social security number and other sensitive information over the phone. They also won’t ask you to pay them by purchasing gift cards from Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, etc. and provide them with the scratched off code on the back. This scam is quite popular now and leaves the victim out hundreds of dollars.

The advent of new technology is a great advantage to all of us when it comes to many aspects of our lives, but it’s also providing crooks with new ways to commit all kinds of crimes. So to protect yourself and your family, remember to stay aware of the latest scams and to take the necessary steps to avoid engaging with thieves.

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