Does it seem like every other time your phone rings, it’s some sweepstakes, scam or telemarketer?

An endless barrage of robocalls that keep coming no matter how many numbers you block.

You're not alone...

Source: Truecaller.com

Enough is enough.

It's time to fight back.

This guide will show the exact tips you can use to beat the robocallers once and for all!

Ready to reclaim your peace and quiet? Lets go.

Editor’s Note: This post has been updated for 2022.


Tools & Techniques You Can Use To Beat Robocallers


Don’t Respond to Robocalls

This one is the Golden Rule of Robocalls!

Stop interacting with them!

 

Don’t push a button to speak to an agent.

 

Don’t request to be removed from their list.

 

If you recognize the number, don’t even bother to pick up.

Why?

Because these things let those annoying robocalling companies (or people searching for valid numbers to sell to robocallers) know that your number works.

Even worse, they might be recording your voice to commit other scams.

Say what!?

Yep. In early 2016 the FCC reported on a scam that recorded consumers saying “yes” to a question and then using that recording later to commit fraud.

They also cited robocalls as their top consumer complaint recently on Twitter.

Madness?

We agree.

When it comes to robocallers, silence is golden.

As Alex Quilici, chief executive of YouMail, told The New York Times“Just interacting with these calls is just generally a mistake”.

Add Your Number to the “Do Not Call” Registries

Established by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission, the National Do Not Call List allows you to opt out of telemarketing calls to your mobile, residential, fax or VoIP numbers.

Registering your number is easy.

National Do Not Call List Registration Screenshot

If you’re still receiving calls 31 days after registering, you can report them to the CRTC.

You can also forward spam text messages to the the number 7726 (SPAM) on your mobile device.

This registry doesn’t prevent all callers from soliciting your number.

For example, if you have an existing business relationship with the company or it is a Canadian registered charity, your registration status doesn’t matter.

Be sure to check the CRTC’s Complaint Page for additional information on how the registry might help you.

Use a Call Blocking or Caller ID App or Service

So what can you do if the robocallers don’t care about the registries?

This is where apps really shine.

Most work in a similar fashion…

...they use crowdsourced databases to help filter calls as they come in.

You can also mute calls from known robocallers and some will even prevent the notification from showing up on your phone at all.

Popular call blocking apps include:

App OS Price

Truecaller

iOS

Android

Free with Paid Monthly Subscription Options

Hiya

iOS

Android

Free

Robokiller

iOS

Android

Paid Monthly Subscription

CallHero

iOS

Android

Paid Monthly Subscription

The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association also has comprehensive lists of Android, iOS and Windows app options.

Many robocall blocking apps require a small monthly fee.

However, the extra dollar or two is likely worth the added peace of mind.

You can also check with your service provider to see if they offer robocall blocking or filtering.

While this isn’t available with all carriers, most that offer the feature do so for free.

Better still, some carriers enable the feature at the account level instead of on each device.

This means you won’t have to install extra apps or configure settings every time you upgrade or replace your phone!

Manually Remove Your Number from Calling Lists

If you’ve ever entered a drawing or sweepstakes, registered to vote, or even filled out a customer card at a local business, there’s a good chance your number is lurking around in a database for one of these groups somewhere.

In many cases, when you provided the information, there was fine print somewhere saying you agree to marketing calls. That means the previous options won’t stop the calls.

Your best bet?

Find the customer service number for the business or charity and call them. Direct.

Once you have a human on the line, politely request to have your number removed from their calling list.

In the case of political calls, yep... you should call them also.

Let the politician’s office know that their robocalls negatively impact your opinion of them.

That’s usually enough to silence the vote-hungry.

Depending on local regulations, your request may take up to 30 days to take effect.

If you still receive calls from a number you’ve manually requested to stop calling you, report them.

 

REMEMBER: Our initial advice on not interacting with robocalls still stands. If you’re looking to use this method. Place the call yourself.

Why? Because this way you know you’re not being scammed or added to any additional lists.


Final Thoughts

Robocalls are annoying... at best.

At worse, they can lead to fraud and other nasty situations.

While regulators around the world are finally starting to acknowledge the seriousness of these operations, the number of robocalls going out to mobile phones continues to increase.

The good news is that you can fight back.

 

Follow the golden rule. Don't interact with the calls.

 

Add your number to a do not call registry.

 

Install a call blocking app.

 

Report the remaining offenders.

We hope this guide has helped.

Stay strong robo fighter. Stay strong.

If you have any questions or want to share your experience blocking robo-callers, let us know in the comments below.


Infographic: How-To Stop Robo Callers

The following infographic can be used as your robot fighting template. Follow one or more of the steps to defeat the evil robo callers once and for all!


View or Share Full Size


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