How to Stop Robocalls and Protect Your Peace and Privacy
Robocalls have become an unwelcome guest for nearly everyone. From political campaigns and fundraising pleas to ubiquitous “extended warranty services” to outright scams, these automated calls disrupt our peace with their intrusive and often poorly-timed interruptions. Whether it’s the cheerful yet insistent voice of a fake IRS agent or a health insurance “offer,” robocalls are universally despised. Thankfully, you don’t have to just sit back and take it: there are ways to fight back by learning how to stop robocalls.
What Are Robocalls, and Why Do We Get Them?
A robocall is any call that uses a pre-recorded message to deliver information or solicit action from the recipient. Some robocalls—like from your child’s school, your pharmacy, and local agencies—are legitimate and absolutely useful. After all, we do want to be alerted when school is closed due to weather, our prescriptions are ready for pick up, or there’s a pending power outage or other emergency. Yet it seems like the majority of robocalls aren’t helpful. Rather, they’re designed to sell, scam, or manipulate. And they’re almost always intrusive.
The annoyance stems from their sheer volume, unpredictability, and often deceptive nature. Sadly, thanks to techniques like neighborhood spoofing—where robo-callers mimic a local number to trick you into answering—these calls have become harder to avoid.
Common Types of Robocalls
Robocalls come in many forms, and while some are legal and legitimate, many cross the line into fraud or even harassment. Here are some of the most common illegitimate types:
- Neighborhood Spoofing: The call appears to come from your area code to make you think it’s someone local—perhaps a trusted business or friendly neighbor.
- IRS Scams: Fraudulent calls claiming you owe back taxes and must pay immediately.
- Health Insurance Calls: Often spam or scams pushing questionable insurance products. Some may be legitimate yet still annoying: If you’ve ever been looking to get new insurance and typed your phone number into a form promising to find you the best deals, you’ve likely regretted it due to the endless pitch calls that seem to continue for weeks or even months.
- Credit Card Scams: Promises to lower your interest rates in exchange for sensitive financial information. (Never provide sensitive information to a stranger over the phone!)
- Fake Prize Offers: Claiming you’ve won something, but you must provide personal details to claim it. (Guaranteed, you won’t be a “winner.”)
The TRACED Act: A Step Toward Protection
The Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act was enacted in 2019 to protect consumers from unwanted calls and crack down on bad actors. This law gives regulators more tools to fight illegal robocalls, including higher fines for offenders and requirements for telecom providers to implement call authentication technology.
Despite these measures, some robocalls still slip through, thanks to legal loopholes. Here’s a quick breakdown of when robocalls are legal vs. illegal:
- Legal Robocalls: Messages from schools, pharmacies, or public safety agencies; calls you’ve given explicit consent to receive (e.g., from your bank or service provider).
- Illegal Robocalls: Any telemarketing or scam calls made without your consent. Penalties for violators can include steep fines. Unfortunately, even with increased regulation, enforcement can be challenging.
How to Prevent Robocalls
The sad truth is there’s no way to eliminate robocalls entirely. However, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce them significantly. These include:
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Carrier Services
AT&T and most other major carriers offer call-blocking tools or apps. These services can automatically identify and block known spam calls or flag suspicious numbers. AT&T’s Call Protect, for example, is a great option for filtering out potential robocalls.
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Third-Party Apps
Apps like RoboKiller, Hiya Spam Blocker, and Nomorobo can be used to provide advanced call-blocking features and are often more customizable than carrier services. Many can also identify scam calls before they reach you.
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Do-Not-Call Registries
The National Do Not Call Registry allows you to opt out of telemarketing calls. While this won’t stop all robocalls (especially illegal ones), it can reduce legitimate sales calls.
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Use Built-In Phone Features
Both Android and iOS devices have tools to block specific numbers or silence unknown callers. Use these settings to avoid calls from numbers you don’t recognize.
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Don’t Consent to Sales Calls
When signing up for services, avoid ticking boxes that permit companies to contact you by phone. Be cautious with forms that require phone numbers.
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Report Robocalls
Report illegal robocalls to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or your state’s consumer protection agency. This helps authorities track and penalize offenders.
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Avoid Engaging
If you accidentally answer a robocall, don’t press any buttons or engage with the call. Hang up immediately to avoid confirming your number is active.
Final Thoughts: How to Stop Robocalls
Robocalls may feel like an unstoppable nuisance, but with the right tools and proactive steps, you can minimize their impact. By using call-blocking apps, taking advantage of carrier protections, and reporting illegal calls, you’ll be well on your way to reclaiming your peace of mind.
Remember, you don’t have to put up with robocalls. With a bit of effort and the right tools, you can keep these annoying interruptions at bay and enjoy your day without unwanted disruptions.