If you’ve ever answered an unwanted spam call, you know how annoying they can be. Not only are they a waste of your time, but they can also be quite intrusive. With the rise of technology, spam calls and messages have become a regular nuisance. They distract us from work, interrupt our family time, and can even be dangerous if we’re not careful.

We increasingly become less trustworthy of unknown numbers and are more hesitant to answer calls from them. Unfortunately, spam callers have become more sophisticated in recent years and have found ways to spoof caller ID information to make it look like they’re calling from a local number.

So what can you do to protect yourself from these pesky spam callers? Here are six handy tips:

1. Be Wary of unfamiliar Numbers and Requests for Personal Information

One of the biggest red flags that a call may be spam is if the caller is asking for personal information, such as your Social Security number, credit card number, or bank account information. Legitimate companies will never cold-call customers and ask for this type of sensitive information.

If you receive a call from an unknown number, use reverse phone search. You can use reverse phone number lookup free to help you identify an unknown caller by phone number. Additionally, be wary of any caller claiming to be from a government agency or a well-known company asking for personal information. These are often scams designed to trick people into giving away their data. If you’re unsure whether a call is legitimate, hang up and call the customer service number for the company or agency to verify.

2. Use Call Blocking Features

As we mentioned earlier, most phones come with built-in call blocking features that can help you reduce the number of spam calls you receive. If you have an iPhone, you can use the Do Not Disturb feature to silence all calls or create a specific list of contacts who are allowed to ring through. You can also block callers individually by going to your recent calls list and tapping the “i” next to the number you want to block.

If you have an Android, you can use a few different apps to block calls, such as Calls Blacklist and Call Blocker Free. You can also download third-party call blocker apps like Truecaller, which crowdsources numbers that are likely to be spam.

3. Use The National Do Not Call Registry

The National Do Not Call Registry is a free service offered by the Federal Trade Commission. It allows consumers to register their home and mobile phone numbers to stop most telemarketing calls. The registry is available to both residential and business lines.

Once you have registered your number(s), telemarketers are not allowed to call you unless you have given them prior consent, or you are already a company’s customer. Even if a telemarketer does call your number after it has been registered, you can file a complaint with the FTC, and they will investigate.

The National Do Not Call Registry is one of the best ways to reduce the spam calls you receive, but it’s not 100% effective. Some telemarketers may still call your number even if it’s registered on the list, and some scammers may be able to spoof their caller ID information so that it looks like they’re calling from a local number. However, registering your number on the do not call registry is still one of the best ways to protect yourself from unwanted calls.

4. Use a Robocall Blocking Service

In addition to using your phone’s built-in call blocking features, you can sign up for a robocall blocking service. These services work by identifying and blocking known spam callers before they even have a chance to reach your phone. They also often have features that allow you to block private or unknown numbers and international numbers.

One of the most popular robocall blocking services is Hiya, which offers both a free and premium version of its app. The free version includes caller ID and spam protection, while the premium version adds a real-time call blocker, reverse phone lookup, and other features.

Another popular robocall blocking service is Nomorobo, which offers a 14-day free trial and then charges $1.99 per month afterward. Nomorobo also has a feature that allows you to report suspicious numbers, which are added to the database and blocked for other users.

5. Be Careful With Your Personal Information

One of the best ways to protect yourself from spam calls and messages is to be careful about the personal information you share online. Be wary of any website that asks for your phone number or email address, as this is often how scammers and telemarketers can get your information. If possible, use a fake phone number or email address when signing up for online services.

It would help if you were careful about the information you share on social media. Avoid sharing your phone number or email address publicly, and be aware of the privacy settings for each social media platform you use. For example, Facebook allows you to control who can see your phone number in your profile settings.

6. Report Spam Calls to the FCC

If you’re receiving many spam calls, you can report them to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC is responsible for investigating complaints about telemarketers and scammers who are breaking the law.

To file a complaint with the FCC, you’ll need to provide your name, contact information, and the phone number that received the unwanted call. You’ll also need to describe the nature of the call, such as whether it was a sales pitch, fraud attempt, or political call. Once you’ve filed a complaint, the FCC will investigate and take appropriate action against the offending party. In some cases, this may result in fines or jail time for the offenders.

Reporting spam calls to the FCC can help make a difference in the fight against unwanted calls, but it’s important to remember that it’s not a 100% effective solution. The FCC can only take action against offenders who are breaking the law, so some spam callers may still slip through the cracks.

Spam calls and messages are a nuisance, but you can take steps to protect yourself from them. Using the tips in this article, you can help reduce the number of spam calls and messages and make your life a little bit easier.