September 25, 2020
I don’t know about you, but my phone is ringing off the hook with robocalls. I’m on the DO Not Call List and I still get calls. Why is this and how can I block them?
What About the National Do Not Call Registry?
The National Do Not Call Registry is designed to stop sales calls from real companies that follow the law. The Registry is a list that tells telemarketers what numbers not to call. The FTC does not and cannot block calls. Scammers don’t care if you’re on the Registry.
Even though the Registry can’t stop all of the unwanted calls you’re getting, being on the Registry could make it easier for you to spot illegal calls. If a caller is ignoring the Registry, there’s a good chance it’s a scam. Even if it’s not a scam, you don’t want to do business with or give your information to someone calling you illegally.
What About Robocalls?
If you answer the phone and hear a recorded message instead of a live person, it’s a robocall. Robocalls trying to sell you something are illegal unless you’ve given the company your written permission to call you that way. If someone is already breaking the law by robocalling you without permission, there’s a good chance it’s a scam. At the very least, it’s a company you don’t want to do business with.
Call blocking can help stop robocalls from scammers. But some robocalls might still get through. If you get an illegal robocall, hang up. Don’t press a number, which could lead to more robocalls. Then report it to the FTC. Some robocalls are legal and don’t require your permission, like purely informational messages, political calls, or calls from charities. But if they try to also sell you something on the call, it becomes an illegal robocall.
Read the full FTC article on how to block unwanted calls.
Source: Federal Trade Commission