Unwanted or nuisance calls are high on the list of things that irritate people. They could be from telemarketers, scammers, or even someone you don’t want to talk to. Whatever the matter may be, the good news is that you can do something about some phone calls you never expect.
How to Stop Prank Calls from Blocked Numbers
A prank call (also known as a crank call, phony call, or hoax call) is a phone call in which the caller intends to perform a practical joke on the person who answers. It is frequently a nuisance call. Prank calls can be quite irritating, especially if the caller keeps calling. A prank caller can be identified and blocked with a few simple steps.
- Contact the police. Local or state laws may be broken if the call is obscene or threatening. Make a report to your local police department, especially if the call is menacing rather than just unpleasant.
- Contact your phone company. Many phone companies have entire departments dedicated to answering nuisance calls. Check with your phone carrier to see what services they provide to assist you in dealing with prank calls. For example, AT&T has a page dedicated to Annoyance Calls that includes information and policies while Verizon maintains an Unlawful Call Center page that contains information on both illegal and unwanted phone calls.
- Find out who is calling and block the prank calls. Phone companies provide a number of services that might assist you in determining who is making the prank call. These services are available and priced differently depending on the company. Once you have your prank caller’s phone number, you can use a phone company service to prohibit them from phoning you again. Call Block (*60), also known as Call Screen, is a service that allows you to prevent certain numbers from calling your phone number. Dial *60 to activate the service, or contact your phone carrier to set it up.
How to Stop Spoof Calls
According to the Federal Communications Commission, caller ID spoofing is when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise their identity. Phone number spoofing can happen to anyone. Scammers can easily mask their phone numbers and call you under false pretenses in the hopes of obtaining money or personal information. Learn how to protect yourself against caller ID spoofing and how a mobile security app can help you stay secure by blocking scammers. Here are some tips to stop the spoof calls:
- If you’re in the United States, submit a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and report unsolicited calls to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (Federal Trade Commission).
- Do not pick up an incoming call if you do not recognize the number. Also, if you receive a one-ring call, do not return the call.
- Don’t give away your phone number on the internet. If a field in an online form isn’t needed, leave it blank.
- Remove your phone number from all of your social media accounts.
- Block numbers that come from nuisance calls on your phone manually.
- If the caller’s tone is suspicious or they ask for personal information, trust your instincts and hang up.
- Avoid entering online prizes or raffles since these sites frequently sell personal information like phone numbers.
How to Stop Scammer Calls
Scammers will try to rob you of your money and personal information, while telemarketers will squander your time. If you find yourself on the receiving end of an unsolicited call, keep these simple guidelines in mind：
- Never allow an unwanted caller to remotely access your computer even if they claim to be phoning from a reputable organization like NBN or Telstra. An issue with your computer or internet connection will not be reported to a large corporation by phone. If you have an issue, they expect you to contact them right away.
- Never give your password, personal information, or banking information to someone who calls you unexpectedly.
- Ignore communications that utilize scare tactics or put pressure on you to act immediately and end unexpected calls. Scammers have been known to say things like “your computer or internet has been hacked,” “we’ve identified unusual behavior,” or “you’ve been invoiced for a purchase you didn’t make.” End the call or ask for their contact information so you can call them back (never call back on the number given to you). Also, avoid clicking on links in texts that utilize fear techniques to entice you to respond. If you’re not sure, look up the company’s phone number online and call them directly to inquire about the call or message you received.
How to Stop Harassing Phone Calls
Harassment is defined as receiving a phone call and hearing threatening or vulgar language on the other end. Harassment can take many forms, including email, cyberstalking, text messages, social media platforms, and mobile phone harassment. Don’t be alarmed if you receive a harassing phone call. If you find yourself face to face with a harasser, here’s what you should do:
- Put the phone down. Do not engage in discussion if you hear threats or inappropriate queries on the other end of the line.
- Playing detective is not a good idea. Don’t get involved with the harassers if you don’t want to find out who they are. The caller wishes to extend the call.
- Phone calls that are harassing should be reported. It’s critical that you report any unpleasant or vulgar phone calls you receive. Harassing phone calls are annoying and frequent calls from salespeople that come at inconvenient times, especially without your permission.
How to Stop Potential Spam Calls
Getting too many calls from telemarketers and potential spammers? Here are some strategies for dealing with obnoxious unknown callers:
- You can use a more effective but severe approach to stop spam calls if you have iOS 13 or higher installed on your iPhone. Turn on the switch for Silence Unknown Callers under Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers.
- Open the Phone app on a stock Android device, such as one of Google’s Pixel phones, and select the Recent tab. Tap Block/report spam after long-pressing the number you wish to block. You have the option of unchecking the box labeled Report call as spam and then tapping Block.
- Besides, you can also try the third-party app like RealCall, which is a free call-blocking app that analyzes calls and provides context to unknown numbers using a vast database of profiles and “extensive algorithms.” Every RealCall user adds an additional layer of security and increases the shield against scammers, all while enjoying peace and security.