Struggling with Spam Calls? Here’s a Low-Effort Fix for Managing Unwanted Calls
Mobile phones have become central to our lives, yet scam calls have tainted their convenience. These unsolicited calls not only waste time but can also lead to significant financial losses. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to shield yourself from these intrusions without extensive effort.
The Scope of the Scam Call Crisis
It’s not just a minor inconvenience; scam calls are a major issue. Hiya’s 2023 data reveals that Americans received about eight spam calls per week, with victims losing an average of $2,257. The problem extends beyond financial scams, with AI being used to impersonate public figures in attempts to sway public opinion or behavior.
Current Measures and Their Limitations
The FCC’s Stir/Shaken technology, introduced in 2021, aims to improve caller ID accuracy by verifying call origins. New FCC rules from December 2023 are expected to tighten restrictions on telemarketers. However, Margot Saunders from the National Consumer Law Center points out that current technologies and regulations may still fall short, as scammers and telemarketers find ways to bypass these measures.
Effective Strategies for Reducing Spam Calls
To combat spam calls effectively, use the built-in or third-party call-blocking features available on your phone or through your carrier. Also, be cautious with unknown numbers: avoid trusting Caller ID with local prefixes, don’t engage with automated prompts, and verify any suspicious requests through official contact methods.