Cellphones may seem superpowered these days, but robocalls are still the kryptonite. Americans got 58.5 billion robocalls in 2019, the most in history, according to You Mail, a company that develops robocall blocking software.
“I get at least 2 or 3 a day,” said Thomas Davidson, who has been hounded by robocalls for as long as he can remember.
The financial cost is spiraling too.
By one estimate, Americans lost a staggering $19.7 billion dollars to phone scammers in 2020, according to Truecaller Insights, a group that studies robocall trends.
Markee Campbell has never been a victim of a robocall scam, but he said he is targeted by them often.
“You can definitely give up information that’s detrimental to you and your finances,” Campbell said.
So how do you stop robocalls from plaguing you and your devices?
The easiest thing you can do is to put your number on the Federal Trade Commission’s Do Not Call list. Problem is, scammers, do not care about the Do Not Call list.
Even the people who work at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are sick of it.
“Absolutely,” said Will Maxon, who works the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, the office that’s trying to crack down by fining and closing robocall companies.
Maxon said another thing consumers can do to stop robocalls is to hang up as soon as they get a robocall, and make sure you block the number on the screen.
Another tip Maxon suggested is to download a robocall blocking app. The FTC cannot recommend individual companies or apps, but Maxon said a simple search of reviews can lead consumers to a reliable option. Maxon said it’s also worth calling your phone carrier and see what spam filters they offer on your network.
What happened to > the Federal Govt was to make phone companys BLOCK the calls after Congress has
passed a Law on it ???
Not Happened Yet !!!
Remember when Elizabeth Warrens and the Democrats made all this noise about consumer protection and stopping robocalls? Me too
Still getting Robo calls every day !!!! How much did Congress WAIST on this one ????
My phone has a block feature and I use it so I only get maybe three a week
mine have slowed down you got to gather them in and after they have been on there a while to tell them stuff about their mom and their gay father and really screw with their head. lol been working for me
think of your mobile device as an item that lets you make calls on it while the government surveils everything you do.
You got that Right !!! & also Everything you do on computers or ANY Electronic device is Tracked !!
Thank OBAMA who authorized the NSA & CIA & Whoever else Govt has to do it + they Require
Google & Others to give them ALL your Information !!!!! FACT
Most of the calls were from NSA CIA !!!! ALL 16 phones were tapped !!!!!