Spam calls are a pervasive nuisance that can disrupt your day and potentially lead to scams. Understanding why you’re receiving these calls is the first step towards effectively blocking them. Here are ten hidden reasons why you might be getting spam calls.
Your Number Lingers on Outdated Do-Not-Call Lists
One of the reasons you might be receiving spam calls is due to your number lingering on outdated do-not-call lists. When you fail to update or register your number properly, spammers can bypass protections and continue to target you. According to a report, non-registration on national do-not-call lists keeps numbers vulnerable, allowing spammers to continue their intrusive calls.
Texts Are the Gateway to Phone Spam
Another reason for the persistent spam calls could be your interaction with spam texts. Responding to these texts confirms your number’s validity, triggering more calls from coordinated campaigns. A source reports that exposure through texts exacerbates phone spam cycles, making it crucial to ignore and block such messages.
Phone Settings Haven’t Been Optimized for Blocking
Outdated phone settings contribute significantly to ongoing unwanted calls. Many devices come with built-in filters that can block spam calls, but these are often not activated in default configurations. As a result, users are left exposed to a flood of nuisance calls. A report suggests that optimizing your phone settings can help reduce the number of spam calls you receive.
Carriers Aren’t Flagged for Extra Help
Without notifying your provider about patterns, they won’t apply advanced network-level spam suppression. A lack of carrier-level intervention allows spam to continue, as carriers are often unaware of the extent of the problem. By flagging these issues, carriers can implement more robust measures to block spam calls at the network level, according to a source.
Pixel Owners Ignore Built-In AI Screening
Owners of Google’s Pixel devices have a powerful tool at their disposal to combat spam calls. The device comes with hidden AI features like call screening that can automatically detect and divert spam. However, these features often go unused, missing out on spam detection opportunities. A report suggests that activating these features can significantly reduce the number of spam calls received.
Online Data Leaks Keep Feeding the Beast
Public data sharing indirectly fuels spam targeting. When you share your contact info on forms or sites, your details can be sold to brokers who distribute them for spam targeting. A source warns that being mindful of where and how you share your contact information online can help reduce the likelihood of your number falling into the hands of spammers.
Answering Unknown Calls Validates Your Line
Responding to initial spam calls signals active numbers to scammers. Even a single pickup tells automated systems your number is live, ramping up the volume from scammer networks. According to a report, it’s best to avoid answering calls from unknown numbers to prevent validating your line.
Device AI Isn’t Tuned Against New Threats
Spam tactics are constantly evolving, and if your device’s AI isn’t tuned to recognize these new patterns, they can slip through. Google’s Pixel devices come with hidden tools for real-time analysis that can filter these evolving spam patterns. However, these features are often overlooked, according to a source.
Apps with Loose Permissions Harvest Contacts
Inadequate app permissions enable spam apps to proliferate. Rogue applications can access your info without checks, enabling broader spam distribution from your network. A source suggests that being vigilant about the permissions you grant to apps can help prevent your contact information from being harvested for spam.
National Registries Aren’t Your Shield Alone
Skipping enrollment in do-not-call programs means your number stays in circulation for legitimate marketers who resell to spammers. Signing up for the National Do Not Call List can be a big step towards reducing telemarketing calls to your landline and wireless phone numbers, according to a source.
More from MorningOverview