How to Stop Robocalls and Safeguard Your Identity

Have you ever picked up a call from an unfamiliar number only to hear about an expiring auto warranty or a too-good-to-be-true financial offer? The voice on the other end might sound scratchy or distant, prompting you to ask, “Hello? Who is this?” If you hang up, you might find the spammer calling back from a different number. Engage with them, and you could be transferred to a live person or be offered an option to press 9 to join a do-not-call list.

Unwanted calls are the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) top consumer complaint. The volume of these calls is staggering, with Americans receiving an estimated 2.5 billion to 4 billion spam calls each month, according to various analyses. The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) estimates around 33 million robocalls are made daily, totaling nearly 5 billion per month. Additionally, robotexts have surged, reaching nearly 8 billion per month in 2023.

These scam calls often aim to extract personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank details, or addresses. Scammers often impersonate legitimate organizations, including charitable groups, IRS agents, major credit card companies, student loan providers, and utility companies, making it easier for them to gain trust and trick victims into sharing sensitive information.

Robocallers use advanced phishing tools to route calls through different carriers and networks, making it difficult to trace the origin. They often use local area codes to appear legitimate, and urgent language like “action needed,” “confirm your information,” or “restore service now” is commonly used to panic recipients into revealing information.

Despite the FCC strengthening the federal Do Not Call Registry nearly a decade ago, the problem persists, with technology companies struggling to curb the tide of spam calls. Here are some tips from CMIT Solutions to protect your identity and data from robocalls:

Register with the National Do Not Call Registry: Add your phone numbers — cell phone, office line, and home landline — to the Registry by calling 1–888–382–1222. After a month, you can report unwanted calls to the Federal Trade Commission. However, this is just one layer of defense and may not stop all calls.

Block Unfamiliar Numbers: Avoid answering calls from unknown numbers. Answering can signal to robocalling software that your number is active, leading to more targeted spam calls. If a number calls repeatedly, block it or mark it as junk.

Use Do Not Disturb Features: Enable the “Do Not Disturb” feature on your smartphone to block notifications for incoming calls, allowing only known contacts to reach you.

Avoid Engaging with Callers: Do not interact with potential scammers. Pressing numbers to opt out can confirm your number is active, leading to more spam. If you answer a robocall, hang up immediately without providing any information. Be cautious about what you say; even AI-powered robocalls can use responses like “Yes” to authorize fraudulent charges.

Use Robocall Blocking Apps: Many cell phone carriers offer apps that block known spam callers and flag suspicious numbers. These apps can significantly reduce the number of unwanted calls you receive. Additionally, some apps can integrate with your phone's blocked list to prevent spam texts and emails.

Secure Your Voicemail: Set a password for your voicemail to prevent unauthorized access, especially if your service allows access from your own number without a password.

At CMIT Solutions, we understand the challenges of protecting your identity and data in a digital world where threats extend beyond computers and networks to phones and messaging systems. Our comprehensive protection solutions aim to secure your business, data, devices, and identities. If you're overwhelmed by robocalls and seeking effective solutions, contact CMIT Solutions today to learn more about blocking robocalls and safeguarding your identity.