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Defeating Spam Calls: Your Actionable Guide for Homeowners

Update Understanding the Surge in Spam Calls If you’ve been bombarded with spam calls, you’re certainly not alone. The evolution of artificial intelligence has made spam calls more advanced and prevalent than ever before. The sad reality is that if you have a phone number, spam calls will find their way to you—whether they come from legitimate telemarketers or deceitful scammers. Cybersecurity expert Shlomi Beer emphasizes that these calls are not just annoying; they pose significant risks. "Fraud has become cheaper, more scalable, and far more convincing than ever," he notes. It's alarming to think that the average person can easily fall prey to these scams, partially driven by the abundance of stolen personal data available to fraudsters. According to the FBI, seniors are notably vulnerable, losing over $3 billion annually to such scams. However, anyone can be a target, especially when scammers mimic trustworthy entities like banks or tech support services. The Right Way to Respond to Spam Calls One crucial rule is not to engage with spam callers. Even correcting a scammer about your bank or your location can leave you vulnerable in the future. “Don’t correct, don’t confirm, don’t explain, just hang up,” advises Beer. Instead, simply hang up and do not interact with the caller. Blocking the number may offer temporary relief, but many scammers use “spoofed” numbers, rotating through fake identities to disguise themselves. Therefore, ignoring the call altogether is often the best strategy. Leverage Your Phone’s Built-In Features The good news is that both iPhones and Android devices come equipped with tools to help mitigate spam calls. iPhone users can filter unknown callers, effectively silencing numbers not saved in their contacts. If you activate this feature, all calls identified as spam will be directed to voicemail. For Android users, particularly on Samsung devices, enabling the Smart Call feature allows you to block spam and high-risk calls. Adjusting these settings can significantly cut down on the number of unwanted interruptions. Should You Use Third-Party Apps for Blocking? While the built-in features on phones generally suffice to manage spam calls, some individuals may feel inclined to turn to third-party applications for added protection. Experts like John Lemay suggest that most smartphone users will find built-in security features robust enough without needing extra apps. However, if you desire peace of mind or frequently receive spam calls, apps such as Truecaller, Hiya, or Nomorobo can provide an additional layer of security through user reports and extensive databases that identify known scammers. Your Future Steps Towards a Spam-Free Life Taking control of your phone experience starts with understanding the risks and knowing how to combat them. By utilizing the tools available on your smartphone and remaining informed about potential scams, you can dramatically reduce the frequency of spam calls. Stay vigilant! Refuse to engage with callers you don’t trust, and always prioritize your safety when it comes to your personal information. Understanding why these calls occur and how to deal with them positions you as an empowered consumer in today's digital world. If you have found these insights useful, be sure to share this article with friends and family to help them gain control over their spam call issues, too.