The phone rings and just as you say hello, the person on the other end starts yelling about saving money on car insurance.
Don’t say anything! It may be recording the voice you use to impersonate you. If you speak, avoid saying this one word.
I get this question a lot on my national radio show. If you are too shy to come to my show Leave your notes here on my site. I read every single one.
When it comes to telemarketing and scam calls, all you have to do is pick up the phone.
But it’s not always easy to tell if an incoming call is legitimate — especially if your phone doesn’t display that scam or spam alert.
You want to stop these calls before they arrive. Here’s how:
Block calls from your smartphone
Your phone has built-in security tools to protect you from hackers, and you should know one of the most basic ones: the block function.
If you receive a call from a number you know is associated with a scammer or telemarketer, block it. You can do this as many times as you want.
Block calls from your iPhone
• open Phone app And tap Information button next to the number you want to block. The info button is a lowercase letter (i) in a circle.
• Scroll down and tap. Block this caller.
Block calls from your Android phone
• Open your Phone app.
• Tap More > Call history.
• Tap Call from the number you want to block.
• Tap Block/report spam.
What about unknown numbers? You may prefer to stop them altogether, but be careful.
Mute unknown callers can mute important calls you want to receive, such as from the doctor’s office, hospital, and other numbers in your contacts. But they generally leave a voicemail if the call is important.
Silence unknown numbers from your iPhone
• go to settings > Phone > Silence unknown callers.
• switch on Silence unknown callers.
Silence unknown numbers from your Android
• Tap Phone icon And choose Three point menu.
• go to settings > Blocked numbers.
• switch on Block calls from unknown callers.
Carrying equipment
Your wireless carrier can help you avoid spam. Some have advanced caller ID that lets you know when you receive a spam message. Some carriers offer an app with more powerful tools to block unwanted calls and texts.
This includes T-Mobile’s Scam Shield, AT&T ActiveArmor and Verizon’s call filter. Check your service provider’s website or call them to learn more about their services.
Although unexpected calls from outside the US are big red flags to watch out for, scammers can trick you into thinking they’re calling locally. For a list of area codes to identify and avoid this trick, tap or click here.
Third party applications
Nomorobo is a third-party app that provides real-time protection against robocalls, telemarketers, spam texts, and phone scammers calling your iOS or Android phone. It lets the phone ring once and then tries to identify the caller. If the number is found on the app’s robocaller list, it will be blocked immediately.
You can try a free 14-day trial, then pay $1.99 per month or $19.99 per year. The application is available for iOS And Android.
Do not call the registry office
It may not stop everything, but it’s worth adding your number to the National Call Register if you’ve never had one. Adding your number to the list costs nothing and the aim is to stop sales calls, although we all know scammers don’t care about rules and regulations.
go to donotcall.gov To increase your number. You can add many numbers to the list, so do your extended family members a favor and add them.
Keep up with your technology
My favorite podcast is called “Kim Commando todayHe said. It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips and callers with tech questions like you from across the country. Find your podcasts wherever you find them. For your convenience, click the link below for the latest episode.
On-the-go podcast content: Cancer patients leak nude photos, TikToker steals widow’s ashes, and Florida seeks state blogger registration
Plus, you won’t believe which jobs are disappearing because of AI. Cheer up teachers! Get the latest on the government’s Tik Tok ban, exploding e-bikes and massive tax scams spreading like wildfire. Plus, I’ll spill the beans on the deadline to send your email newsletter for maximum impact!
Check out my podcast “Kim Commando Today”. Apple, Google Podcasts, SpotifyOr your favorite podcast player.
Listen to the podcast here Or wherever you find your podcasts. Search for my last name “Commando”.
Learn about all the new technologies on Kim Komando show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim calls and offers advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data breaches. For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website at Komando.com.
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