Problems of Robocalls
Most people have several problems with robocalls, including:
- Frustration and annoyance from the high volume of unwanted calls
- Scams and illegal activities associated with robocalls, such as vishing attacks and AI deepfakes
- Difficulty in distinguishing between legitimate and spam calls
- Concerns about data security and potential identity theft
- Regulatory efforts to curb robocalls, but the problem persists despite measures.
According to a study, an estimated 46 billion robocalls were made in the United States in 2020 alone. The FCC has produced several consumer guides on how to stop robocalls and spam texts, and includes tools for customers to use to combat these issues.
Common Robocall Solutions
There are several ways people have of dealing with robocalls, including:
- Registering on the National Do Not Call Registry
- Using call-blocking services
- Reporting robocalls to the FTC or FCC
- Answering the call but staying silent (as suggested in a Reddit tip)
- Forwarding SPAM text messages to 7726 (or 7726 in international format)
- Using Verizon's Caller ID and Spam Alerts for home phones
It's also recommended to be cautious when answering calls, as some robocalls may be scams or illegal activities.