How to Put an End to Spam Calls for Good

If you’ve been bombarded with an increasing number of annoying spam calls lately, you’re definitely not alone. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has made spam calls more sophisticated and prevalent than ever before. These unwanted intrusions are not just a nuisance; they also pose a significant risk of fraud and identity theft.

You might already be familiar with the Do Not Call Registry as a potential solution to reduce these unwanted calls. However, is this the only method available to effectively stop spam calls for good? Or are we destined to accept spam calls as an unavoidable aspect of our modern, connected world?

To answer these questions and provide comprehensive guidance, we consulted with two leading cybersecurity experts, offering insights and actionable strategies to help you reclaim your phone and protect yourself from unwanted and potentially harmful spam calls.

Why You’re Getting Spam Calls: Understanding the Problem

The unfortunate reality is that if you have a phone number, you are likely to receive spam calls at some point. These calls can range from legitimate telemarketing attempts to outright scams. While telemarketing calls can be irritating, the scam calls are where the real danger lies.

“Fraud has become cheaper, more scalable, and far more convincing than ever before,” explains Shlomi Beer, a cybersecurity and digital fraud expert. “Fraudsters are leveraging AI voice bots, sophisticated dialers, and even human call centers that are designed to sound incredibly natural. This makes these scams significantly harder to detect and differentiate from legitimate calls.”

While senior citizens are often the primary target of these fraudulent calls and texts, it’s important to recognize that anyone can fall victim to these scams. According to the FBI, seniors lose more than $3 billion annually to elder fraud. However, even tech-savvy individuals are not immune.

“Stolen personal data is now widely available, allowing scammers to reference partial details about you to appear legitimate and trustworthy,” adds Beer. “Criminals often impersonate banks, delivery companies, or tech support, frequently targeting individuals who have recently searched for help online, increasing their chances of success.”

The Golden Rule: How Not to Respond to Spam Calls

The most important thing to remember when dealing with spam calls is to avoid engaging with the caller in any way. Even correcting the scammer on minor details, such as the bank you use or the state you live in, can provide them with valuable information that they can use to refine their techniques for future, more convincing scams.

“The safest rule is simple and absolute: don’t correct, don’t confirm, don’t explain – just hang up immediately,” advises Beer. Any interaction, even seemingly harmless ones, can provide the scammer with confirmation that your number is active and that you are a potential target.

While blocking the number might seem like a logical solution, it’s often not effective in permanently eliminating the problem. Frequently, the number you see on your caller ID is “spoofed,” meaning that the number has been falsified to disguise the scammer’s true identity and location.

“Scammers will rotate through a virtually limitless list of fake numbers that will show up on their target’s phones. Not answering at all is generally the best approach to avoid these unwanted intrusions,” says cybersecurity expert John Lemay.

Leveraging Built-In Phone Tools for Spam Call Protection

The good news is that you can avoid a significant number of spam calls by using features that are already built into your phone. You’ve likely seen the familiar message “Potential Spam Call” or “Scam Likely” displayed on your caller ID.

Your phone is capable of identifying potential spam and scams by analyzing network data and monitoring spammer behavior. However, you can significantly enhance your spam blocking capabilities with just a few simple adjustments to your phone’s settings. Let’s explore some of the options available for both iPhone and Android devices.

iPhone Tools for Blocking Spam Calls

On iPhones, you have the option to silence or filter unknown callers, which includes any numbers that are not already in your contact list. This feature can be very effective in blocking spam calls, but it’s essential to use it with caution because it can also cause you to miss important calls from numbers that aren’t saved, such as calls from a doctor’s office or other service providers.

Another option is to silence spam callers. With this setting enabled, all calls identified as spam or fraud will be automatically silenced, sent directly to voicemail, and moved to your Spam list for later review. This allows you to avoid the interruption of a ringing phone while still retaining the ability to check the voicemail if needed.

Android Tools for Blocking Spam Calls

If you have a Samsung or other Android phone, you can utilize a feature often called Smart Call. Navigate to your phone’s settings menu and find the option to “Block spam and scam calls.” This will typically be located within the Call Settings or Phone Settings section.

When enabling this feature, you’ll often have the option to block all spam calls or to only block high-risk calls. Blocking all spam calls provides the most comprehensive protection, but it might also inadvertently block some legitimate calls. Blocking only high-risk calls provides a more balanced approach, filtering out the most obvious spam calls while still allowing potentially legitimate calls to get through.

The Role of Third-Party Spam Call Blocking Apps

While third-party spam call blocking apps can offer an additional layer of protection, Lemay suggests that they are often unnecessary. “The protections offered by your carrier, combined with the built-in features of iOS and Android, typically provide excellent protection once properly configured,” he states.

However, if you desire an extra layer of security, several reputable apps are available. “Apps like Truecaller, Hiya, and Nomorobo are effective because they rely on large, frequently updated databases of known scam numbers and real user reports,” explains Beer. “These apps can automatically block or label suspicious calls before you ever answer, providing an added layer of security and peace of mind.”

What to Do If Spam Calls Persist: The Do Not Call Registry

If spam calls are still managing to get through your phone’s settings and apps, consider adding your number to the National Do Not Call Registry as an additional preventive measure. Registering is free and easy, and it can help reduce the number of unwanted sales calls you receive.

It’s important to understand that the Do Not Call Registry primarily targets unwanted sales calls from legitimate companies that are following the law. Unfortunately, it is not effective at stopping illegal scammers from calling your number. However, it can still be a valuable tool in reducing the overall volume of unwanted calls you receive.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spam Calls

Why are spam calls so prevalent today?

“The simplest explanation is that they work,” says Lemay. “Spam calls can be easily automated, and the use of AI makes this process even more efficient. If a scammer successfully scams even one victim for every 100 or 1000 calls made by their automated dialer system, it’s considered a win for them, making the effort worthwhile.”

Why do spam calls often come in waves?

According to the global cybersecurity company ESET, spam calls often come in waves due to the use of autodialing technology, which enables scammers to make millions of calls each day. Autodialer software can rapidly cycle through massive lists of phone numbers, which are either randomly generated, purchased from a third-party data provider, or obtained from data leaks and breaches.

About the Experts

• John LeMay is the founder and principal consultant of Oceantec, an IT services provider. He leads the firm’s strategic direction and guides organizations through today’s complex IT and cybersecurity challenges.
• Shlomi Beer is the co-founder and CEO of ImpersonAlly, a cybersecurity company focused on detecting and stopping impersonation and fraud scams. He holds a PhD in Computer Science with a specialization in AI and has spent over a decade building large-scale fraud detection systems.

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