How to Protect Yourself from Bogus Calls: A Comprehensive Guide

Avoid falling for fake calls from scammers by taking proactive steps to screen and prevent unwanted calls. This guide will provide you with essential tips and tools to keep your communication lines safe and secure.

The Problem of Bogus Calls

With the rise of scam calls, it is crucial to know how to recognize and deal with fraudulent callers effectively. One of the biggest culprits in these schemes is fake Amazon calls. You can be assured that Alexa and Amazon do not call customers directly. If you receive a call claiming to be from Amazon, it is likely a scam designed to steal your personal information or manipulate you into making a payment or providing details that can be exploited.

Using Apps to Screen Calls

In today's digital age, technology offers powerful solutions to help you combat these unwanted calls. There are numerous apps available for both Android and iOS devices that can help you screen incoming calls. These apps can either block the call outright or let you see the caller's identification (CenturyLink caller ID blocking can be foolproof, but it’s always good to double-check the caller ID). These apps use advanced techniques such as caller ID verification to filter out scammers and ensure that only legitimate calls get through. Some popular apps for call screening include Google Voice, Truecaller, and RoboKiller.

Blocking Spam Numbers

Blocking spam numbers is a straightforward process that can significantly reduce the number of unsolicited calls you receive. Here’s a step-by-step guide to blocking spam numbers on your smartphone:

Android Phones

Open the phone's contacts list and locate the unknown number. Click on the number and then delete it to prompt the phone to ask if you want to block the number. Choose "Block" and the number will be added to your contact list under the blocked contacts section.

There are also numerous YouTube videos that can walk you through blocking spam numbers. Simply search for "how to block spam on [your phone type]" or "how to block spam numbers on [your operating system]". These videos provide comprehensive instructions and visual demonstrations to help you effectively manage your call list.

Home Phone Systems

If you own a home phone, dealing with spam calls can be a bit more complicated. Since your home phone is usually registered under your provider's name, you will need to contact your service provider to block the number.

Steps to Block a Spam Number on a Home Phone: Contact your phone service provider (e.g., CenturyLink, ATT, Comcast). Explain the issue of the spam calls and ask to block the specific number. The provider will guide you through creating a block or using a feature called 'smart block' to prevent future calls from that number.

Conclusion

Protecting yourself from bogus calls is a crucial aspect of digital safety. By understanding the techniques used by scammers and implementing effective call screening measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to these schemes. Whether you are on a smartphone or a home phone system, taking the necessary steps to block spam numbers and use call screening apps can help you stay secure and informed.