As we touched upon last week, there are a number of ways to protect yourself against schemers. Here are a few tips on how to ward off phone fraudsters and keep your information secure:
- Hang up. If the number is not familiar, nor is the voice, just hang up or let the call go to voicemail. If it’s urgent, or someone you know, chances are they’ll leave a message. This will give you time to plug the phone number into a search to see if it’s a known scammer.
- Report the number. First, register your home or mobile phone for free on the National Do Not Call Registry website. If you receive any unwanted calls after your number has been on the National Registry list for 31 days, report it to the FTC here or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP.
- Use a call-blocking tool, service, or app. Traditional landlines can utilize a device called NoMoRobo, which intercepts each call, compares the number to its extensive list of robocall originators, and blocks the call if it appears on their list. NoMoRobo also provides an app for iOS users and VoIP. Android users should try Privacy Star.
- Urge your senators to enact legislation forcing phone companies to provide robocall-blocking technology to consumers. The industry has not voluntarily led the way in this effort. This issue demands a universal solution, and phone companies should be offering this to their customers as a courtesy.
Block specific numbers from calling you. If you’re using a landline, call your telephone service provider and ask whether call blocking is an available feature. If you’re using a cellphone, find the number that you’d like to block in your recent call log. When clicking on this call, you will be given the option to “block this caller” and the phone number will be added to your blocked list.