If you take the time Read the tips Cyberguys recommends registering your phone number with a national and state phone directory to keep phone scammers at bay. Do not call list.
However, you may still receive calls from scammers because the Do Not Call list is primarily targeted at legitimate telemarketers and is only effective against scammers and illegal robocallers, who often ignore the list.
This happened to one of our newsletter subscribers, who told us that even though she took the time to get her number on their list, she still received repeated unwanted calls. “I keep telling them to remove my number and hang up, but they keep calling,” she said.
She points out that caller ID shows these calls are coming from fake phone numbers. She has blocked these numbers (another tip to fend off scammers), but they call back from a different number. So why is this allowed to happen, and why isn’t being on a Do Not Call list enough? Let’s answer this question head-on.
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The National Do Not Call Registry section of the FTC website (FTC)
How scam calls get through Do Not Call lists
It can be extremely frustrating when you receive a call from a scammer after taking the time to block them.
Unfortunately, even if you’re on a Do Not Call list, you may still receive unwanted calls for a few reasons:
Some types of calls are exempt from Do Not Call restrictions. These include calls from political organizations, charities, and companies with which you have an existing business relationship. Of course, if a scammer is spoofing a government phone number, it may appear to be off the Do Not Call list when in fact it is not a legitimate government organization.
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Scammers often ignore Do Not Call lists and continue making unwanted calls. These individuals and organizations are engaged in illegal activities and are not bound by established regulations. FTCAfter all, these scammers are unlikely to follow the rules.
Telemarketing companies and organizations sometimes mistakenly call numbers that are on the Do Not Call list. This could be due to a data error or technical issue, although this is unlikely.
Additionally, scammers can purchase phone numbers on the dark webThis allows you to target a wide range of individuals, regardless of whether they are on a Do Not Call list.
Again, scammers can spoof phone numbers and make any number (even someone else’s) appear on the caller ID, making it much easier to get around loopholes in the Do Not Call list.
Woman annoyed by robocalls (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
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How to avoid getting calls from scammers
It’s tempting to think that simply getting your number on a national or state Do Not Call list is enough, but as we learned from this subscriber, it’s not a silver bullet; scammers will find a way to contact you. That said, don’t neglect to keep your number on these lists. Preventing scammers from calling you requires a combination of strategies, each of which will help reduce the number of scam calls over time.
1. Invest in a personal data deletion service: No service promises to delete all your data from the Internet, but if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of continually deleting information from hundreds of sites over a long period of time, a deletion service can be a useful tool. Use my best choices here to remove your personal data from the internet.
2. Check to see if any websites you have accounts with have recently experienced a data breach. Changing your passwords frequently can help prevent further damage. Password Manager Generate and store complex passwords.
3. Do not answer calls from numbers you do not recognize. Please transfer to voicemail.
Four. Use your phone’s spam blocking features.
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Five. Notify your mobile service provider about the call And see what they can bring you.
6. Never reply or return calls to numbers you don’t recognize. If you know the area code but not the rest of the phone number, it’s most likely a scammer intentionally using a fake phone number. Phone spoofing They will call someone in the same area code repeatedly for the sole purpose of making sure you recognize their number and are more likely to answer the call.
7. Block robocalls and unknown numbers.
8. Report nuisance calls to the FTC and your state attorney general’s officeBe especially careful if the calls are coming from the same organization or person.
9. If you still receive calls, Consider changing your phone number.
Ten. Consult a Consumer Protection Lawyer If the calls really don’t stop.
11. Never provide personal information over the phone. If someone calls you and asks for sensitive data, never hand it over, even if they sound trustworthy or their reasons seem legitimate. Scams are rampant these days and no company should be calling you and asking for this information over the phone. Always exercise caution.
Woman annoyed by robocalls (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
How to block annoying spam emails
Important points about the cart
Getting your number on a Do Not Call list is a big step in keeping scammers away. But it’s not the only way. You’ll need to utilize a variety of strategies and continue using those strategies to drive scammers elsewhere.
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