7 Tips to Fight Scam and Spam Calls

Ever get a call from an unknown number and think, Why on earth would they be calling me? And then it turns out to be someone trying to sell you something, or worse, scamming you out of money?

Maybe the call was even harassing you, calling you at all hours of the day and night, or leaving you nasty messages? If so, don’t worry! You can fight back against these scam and spam calls.

Unfortunately, scam and spam calls are very common and can be very bothersome if you don’t know how to handle them properly.

This article will give you 7 great tips to fight scam and spam calls, so you can stop these annoying intruders from interrupting your life.

1) Your best weapon is knowledge

At first glance, you may think there’s not much you can do about scam or spam calls. But unfortunately, while many scams can be carried out over landlines and mobile lines, some common scams are being used today.

As it turns out, there are several things you can do, and all of them start with educating yourself on how these calls work and what steps you can take to defend yourself against them.

First, some background information: There are three main types of scams that will show up as a phone call on your caller ID. The first type is an outright scammer who pretends to be from a company like your bank or credit card provider to get you to reveal personal information (like account numbers) over the phone.

In other cases, scammers will use technology to make their calls seem more legitimate by spoofing or masking their actual phone number so it looks like they are calling from your bank when they aren’t.

Finally, some spammers use technology to mass-call thousands of people at once, hoping that just a few people might answer and give away personal information.

Don’t let any of these happen to you!

2) Always use your caller ID

When you’re at home, you’ll probably want your landline (or cell phone) to display the name or number of whoever is calling you before you pick up; it makes it easier for you to decide whether or not it’s worth answering.

Always use your caller ID so you can see who is calling. If it’s someone that you do not recognize, then don’t pick up. It could be a telemarketer or scammer trying to phish for information.

If they are telemarketers, simply block them using your phone carrier service so they cannot call back again. It might be tempting to get revenge on them by playing with their heads, but don’t give out any personal information when asked.

The only reason why they are calling you is that there is money in it for them. They will try anything to get what they want from you. The best way to deal with these people is to stay calm, ask questions and hang up immediately if they become threatening in any way.

3) Block callers that you don’t want to talk to

It's simple - just block callers from specific numbers or an entire area code. You can go into your phone’s settings and block callers you don’t want to talk to by adding them as a restricted number.

If someone you know calls from a restricted number, they will hear a message saying they can't connect. This should cut down on scam calls coming through on your mobile device.

You can set up restricted numbers in your device’s settings or block apps.

4) File a complaint with your phone provider

If you receive a call from a scammer, tell them you know it’s a scam and end the call. If they call back, hang up. If they send a text, tell them that you know it’s a scam, and never reply or forward your personal information to them.
Don't pick up if you are getting a call from an unknown number. Most scams will use spoofed numbers, so it is hard for your provider to track down who is calling from that number.

You should also report these calls to your local authorities so they can investigate further. It’s important to file a complaint with them because they can help get you on their do-not-call list.

The more people report scams when they encounter them, the easier it will be for phone companies to shut these scammers down.

5) Try using apps to filter out spam calls

Many apps available for Android, iOS, and Windows Phones promise to identify scam calls. So when you get a call from an unknown number, you can use these apps (or your smartphone’s native dialer) to check whether it’s a known scammer or just someone trying to market something inane.

One such website is PhoneHistory, which uses local databases as well as crowd-sourced information to determine if a number is spammy or not. You’ll be able to see who’s been calling, even when they aren’t in your address book.

6) Keep your personal information private

You should never give out any personal information over the phone if you didn’t initiate contact. This includes credit card information or social security numbers.

Sharing personal information, even seemingly insignificant details like your first name or a pet’s name can help scammers gain access to other data (like your phone number).

Not giving out personal information, including your name or phone number, makes it nearly impossible for scammers to trick you into falling for their schemes.

If you share your personal information, keep it as private as possible by limiting who has access to that data.

For example, if you have an online account with a bank or credit card company, consider setting up two-factor authentication so that even if someone knows your password, they still won’t be able to log in without having physical access to another device that has been previously registered with those companies.

7) Have your friends do the same

If you receive a call from a scammer, hang up immediately. If it’s important, they will leave a message. Tell your friends about these scams so they can also warn their family members.

It’s unfortunate, but we must be alert and protect ourselves from scammers in any way possible.

If you are unsure whether a number is real, do not answer. Someone will leave a message or email if it is an emergency. Remember: Do not trust anyone who calls out of nowhere!

The Takeaway

Even if you can’t stop every telemarketer or spam caller in your life, there are still actions you can take to protect yourself.

If there’s one thing all of these methods have in common, it’s that they require you to be vigilant—to stay on top of who’s calling, what they’re saying, and whether or not they’re trying to scam you.

If your time is valuable (and it is), these 7 tips are a small price to pay for keeping telemarketers and scammers from disrupting your day.