For more answers, please subscribe to our channel: www.youtube.com/@AARPAnswers?...
Here are your AARP Top Tips for Stopping Spam Calls.
(“Hello, this call is officially a final notice from I.R.S.”).
Robocalls are the top consumer complaint to the Federal Communications Commission.
Many of these unwanted calls are meant to deceive you into handing over money or sensitive information. And each year, the problem gets worse.
In the meantime, here are a few things you can do to reduce your odds of being hounded by robocallers.
Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. The Federal Communications Commission recommends letting them go to voicemail.
Ironically, many recipients of unwanted calls think they’re wasting the caller’s time by keeping them on the line. But when the call records are reviewed it looks like you were interested-so you might graduate to another list to be called again.
Signing up to the Federal Trade Commission’s National Do Not Call Registry won’t stop scammers, but it’ll make them easier to spot since legitimate telemarketers don’t call registered numbers.
If you go a step further and report an unwanted call to the FTC, the consumer-protection agency will have valuable information such as the time of call, business name and phone number.
If you’re getting unwanted calls on your smartphone, get an app.
Robocall-blocking apps include Nomorobo-which works with landlines, too-RoboKiller and Hiya. The free YouMail app is also popular.
You can sign up for your phone company’s spam-blocker service as well.
If your phone rings once then stops, don’t call it back-that’s a common trick to get you to call a spammer. Anyone who really needs to reach you will call for real.
If you do pick up and someone starts talking, beware of come-ons that promise debt reduction, preapproved loans, cheap vacations, time-shares, home security systems or medical supplies. The caller may claim to be from the government or a utility company. In all of these cases, just hang up.
For more ways to protect yourself, visit www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork
Please consider supporting more content like this by becoming an AARP member: www.aarp.org/becomeamember
- - - - - -
Connect with AARP Online:
Visit us: aarp.org
Like us on Facebook: / aarp
Follow us on Twitter: / aarp
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to helping people ages 50 and older to improve their quality of life as they age. With over 38 million members and growing, we lead positive social change through our extensive product offerings and services.