Current:Home > StocksAre robocalls ruining your day? Steps to block spam calls on your smartphone -MoneySpot
Are robocalls ruining your day? Steps to block spam calls on your smartphone
View
Date:2025-04-26 13:25:38
When was the last time you got a call from an unknown number? Chances are very recent.
Likely, the person on the other end wasn't a human, but rather a spam call or a robocall.
These types of calls have evolved over the past few years. They were once very obviously spam - often starting with an 800 number and a very robotic voice on the other end - but have now become more convincing and often appear with a name and a human-like voice.
Spam calls are so popular they have achieved meme status. The ever-popular, “We've Been Trying To Reach You About Your Car's Extended Warranty,” appears across the internet almost as much as spam calls appear on our phones.
A survey by Hiya, a company that provides cloud-based phone call performance management services for companies including AT&T and Samsung, found people who fall for scam calls lose $182 on average, although some lose more than $500.
But not all robocalls are spam calls.
Some can be automated messages from your doctor or dentist reminding you of an upcoming appointment or legitimate payment due.
Reviewed-approved phone accessories
Purchases you make through our links may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.
Reviewed helps you find the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of tech experts test everything from Apple AirPods and screen protectors to iPhone tripods and car mounts so you can shop for the best of the best.
- The best rugged iPhone case: Spigen Slim Armor
- Top wireless charger: Yootech Wireless Charger
- Our favorite screen protector: Ailun Glass Screen Protector
- The best portable battery pack: Mophie Powerstation Plus
- Durable phone car holders: Beam Electronics Phone Holder
- iPhone tripod we love: Aureday Phone Tripod
- The best lightning cable: Anker 6 ft Premium Double-Braided Nylon Lightning Cable
Who gets robocalls?
Much like spam emails that appear in the inboxes of anyone with an email address, spam calls can happen to anyone with a phone - cellular or landline.
The YouMail robocall index found in 2022:
- An estimated 4.4B robocalls were made in March
- Texas, California and Florida receive the most robocalls
- Atlanta is the city with the most robocalls
- Atlanta’s 404 area code has the most robocalls
With an average 1.6K calls per second, it’s no surprise we aren’t answering our phones as much.
How do I protect myself?
With more than 12 billion robocalls made in the first three months of 2022, there are plenty of options to block those pesky calls from interrupting your day.
Phones, phone companies and independent app developers have created solutions to keep most of those calls from coming through. Many of these will send unknown calls straight to voicemail, which is helpful in case the tech blocks a call from someone you actually know.
More problems, solved
- Laundry hack:Here's how to dry your clothes quicker
- Do-it-yourself dryer balls:How to make cheap, but effective, dryer balls
- Clogged dryer vent: Keep it clean to keep your family safe from house fire
- Refrigerator relief:The best way to clean the inside of your fridge
- Zipper stuck?: Here's how to easily fix it
- Hard-to-clean coffee maker:Best way to clean the inside of your coffee maker
- The perfect fruit:How to pick the perfect watermelon, cantaloupe or honeydew
- Make groceries last: How to make your groceries last at home
- Suede shoes: How to clean suede shoes them without ruining them
- Clean toys: How to clean and disinfect them
- Video game controllers:The best way to clean controllers, consoles
- Airpods & earbuds: Most effective cleaning method for your headphones
- Dust mites:Keep dust mites away naturally to help with allergies
- Gross oven? How to deep clean it using nontoxic items
- Your A/C needs cleaning:Your air conditioner is probably filthy. Here's the best way to clean it.
veryGood! (75)
Related
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- USA Fencing suspends board chair Ivan Lee, who subsequently resigns from position
- Toyota recalls 2023: Check the full list of models recalled this year
- Decaying Pillsbury mill in Illinois that once churned flour into opportunity is now getting new life
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Pistons fall to Nets, match NBA single-season record with 26th consecutive loss
- Trump asking allies about possibility of Nikki Haley for vice president
- Where to watch 'Die Hard' this Christmas: Cast, streaming info, TV airtimes
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- FDA says watch out for fake Ozempic, a diabetes drug used by many for weight loss
Ranking
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- A weekend of combat in Gaza kills more than a dozen Israeli soldiers, a sign of Hamas’ entrenchment
- If the weather outside is frightful, here's what to watch to warm yourself up
- What's making us happy: A guide to your weekend viewing
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- King Charles III’s annual Christmas message from Buckingham Palace includes sustainable touches
- Doug Williams' magical moment in Super Bowl XXII still resonates. 'Every single day.'
- A naturalist finds hope despite climate change in an era he calls 'The End of Eden'
Recommendation
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
You've heard of Santa, maybe even Krampus, but what about the child-eating Yule Cat?
Some 300 Indian travelers are sequestered in a French airport in a human trafficking probe
NFL denies Eagles security chief DiSandro’s appeal of fine, sideline ban, AP source says
Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
Detroit Pistons now among biggest losers in sports history as skid reaches 26 games
Doug Williams' magical moment in Super Bowl XXII still resonates. 'Every single day.'
France completes military withdrawal from Niger, leaving a gap in the terror fight in the Sahel