If you’ve ever received a phone call or text message from an odd number that you don’t recognize, it can be considered a spam call. It’s most probably a telemarketer working for a company or corporation. It may even be coming from a rogue individual soliciting you for your hard-earned money.
Spam or Scam?
Sometimes we sign up for more information about something online or buy something from a store that might ask for your personal information. This can include your address as well as phone number. As time passes, you might forget about your interaction with them.
Whether you like it or not, these kinds of unwanted communications are legitimate forms of marketing as long as it’s from a legitimate business. You can usually ask to be removed from their list just by calling them back. It might take a little effort to get them to listen to you, but this will work if it’s a legitimate company. Sometimes you might have to do this a couple of times before the calls stop coming. The same process can be applied to text message communications.
Blocking Spam Calls
The measures you can take to block spam calls can vary depending on if you have an Android phone or an iPhone. There are a few ways to block someone on the individual phone level.
You can simply go to your list of recent calls. When you find the number in question, tap that number and choose the option to Block/Report Spam. Although it might not be exactly the same on your phone, it will be very similar.
If you have an iPhone, you might not be able to report phone numbers as spam. You can block them one at a time using your phone app. Find the number on the list of recent calls and tap on it. You will find the “i” button next to the number. Tap this button and then tap the “Block this Caller” button. You can then tap on the “Confirm” button to block this caller. As the iPhone’s iOS system becomes more advanced and spam calling gets even more out of hand, there are sure to be more improvements concerning this issue.
Try to never answer phone calls coming from numbers you don’t recognize. The worst thing you can do is to pick up the call and say anything to these telemarketers. If you talk to a telemarketer and answer “yes” to any of their questions, the calls are sure to continue even if you hang up after some time.
Many telemarketers might actually be recording the conversation, and your agreement to any of their questions can mean approval on your part to receive future communications from them. They can use this as a defense if they are ever taken to court over spam calling, and they will probably win the case.
To stay up-to-date on ways and apps to help block spam and telemarketers, make sure to check in with our “Tech” section regularly!
