(Picture alt text: a screenshot of my phone’s call log, with numbers redacted (just in case). The phone numbers (except for one) are all spam calls)
I’m not sure if this is the correct place for this, but I am at my limit with these.
Constantly throughout the day I get spam call after spam call. I constantly report them to Google (I’ve got a Pixel 5, if it matters), yet nothing changes. This has been happening for months.
These calls will also leave the exact same, completely silent, 4-second voicemails. I will block and report spam, but you know how it is. There’s no way to turn voice mail notifications off, and I wouldn’t necessarily want to, because I know I’d miss something genuine or important.
What do I do? Is there anything I can do, beyond changing numbers? Even then, I’m sure a new number would exist in some database somewhere and be victim to more spam calls. This is heinous.
Thanks for reading. I’m just so frustrated.
Edit: this got a lot more attention than I anticipated. I appreciate the suggestions for different spam blockers and settings! It’s also nice knowing I’m not alone. Hopefully, at least in the US, we’ll get some real legislation eventually that will kill these spam calls once and for all.
If the pixel 5 supports it, absolutely turn on assistant call screening. If a number is slightly suspected of being a spam call, it will send it to Google assistant who asks them who they are and why they’re calling. This filters nearly all spam calls in my experience, while not preventing you from getting legitimate calls.
Even better, after using it a while I no longer get many spam calls, maybe 1-2 a week that gets quietly handled in the background.
Totally anecdotal but if you have the number connected with social media like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, etc if you delete your account or maybe even switch out to a different phone number, you will get less to no spam calls. I deleted my social media and after that I don’t receive any calls. I only get calls that I’m supposed to get now.
Also, my phone number registered with bank and dmv is different so this might also be a contributing factor.
Soo… One of you please make a soundboard app where at the push of a button I can send these telemarketer full on baby screaming sounds or play my own “response” to their ads.
Bad idea… responding to the call marks your number as “active” in their system and they’ll spam you with even more calls. I found that out the hard way.
T Mobile has an app called Scam Shield that seems to do a better job than Google. If a call is identified as a scam, your phone won’t ring. You can report ones that get through. I installed this a few days ago, and it’s much more manageable now. I get something like 20 scam calls a day. This kept 15 or so from ringing.
I have started asking callers various disheartening questions, like “Is this what you planned for in life?”, “Does your family laugh at you?”, “Do your friends have better jobs than yours?”, “Are you an embarrassment to your parents?”. Most hang up, but a good number get upset - I imagine because their parents really are embarrassed by them. One person, whom I asked if he was happy with his choices in life, said “I am in hell”. My hope with these questions is for them to rethink a life of trying to cheat old people out of money.
I dont know where you live but in Croatia (EU) there is a registar “Dont Call” that you can add your number to. They told me that phone service providers are sharing our numbers LOL unless you ask them not to. This registar should be level above providers so your number should be private no matter what. I was just going to apply to that
In EU due to GDPR you do have the right to be forgot. I have asked those companies who have called me, to delete all information they have about me, and in return I have got the information needed to go through the process. That way there have been less spam calls
If you have a pixel you can turn on call screening for unknown numbers. Ive been using it for a couple years now on my pixel and my phone hardly ever rings now, its fantastic
Sounds like an overcomplex and invasive solution for an easy problem. Just switch the number, obviously some strange people (and a lot) had access to it.
Then follow with best practices and never give out your phone number when possible. There are tons of free sms services you can use
You think switching your number is less complex than using call screen?
That would literally involve changing your number with most major web services you use including your bank BEFORE you get rid of your old number. Better hopr you don’t forget one because your not gonna get that sms verification code to log back in.
Thats a fair point. But the real and simple problem is “your phone number was breached somewhere, change it”. I never get spam calls or mails, people that are not careful do.
Who is your provider? If they have an online toggle for more spam detection/blocking, turn that on. Alternatively you could move to another provider who does a better job at handling spam calls.
For what’s worth, I registered for the FCC’s do not call registry way back and it helped a bit - but once you’re registered, if you get spam calls, you can report the numbers to the FCC for having called you despite being on the registry. YMMV but it might be worth a shot!
I have a policy - only those who should know my phone number is family and they are very strict about asking me before giving to anyone who asks. So, it’s usually not given. Then for businesses and other places which require a phone number, I use a Google Voice number. From doctors, to banks, or other places. I rarely get the scam calls.
HOWEVER
I get around 6-15 SPAM text messages daily. All 100% Political for Trump, Biden, Harris, or whatever scammer tries to get me to support on my non-shared number. A lot try to guilt you into “donating” to them too! I feel bad because while I won’t fall for it, I know many people already do. I have to use Google Messages to effectively block those automatically.
I have AT & T and complained to them about it to be told that I could change my number, but it would be $40.00 to do so. That’s a big scam in itself and I refused.
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If the pixel 5 supports it, absolutely turn on assistant call screening. If a number is slightly suspected of being a spam call, it will send it to Google assistant who asks them who they are and why they’re calling. This filters nearly all spam calls in my experience, while not preventing you from getting legitimate calls.
Even better, after using it a while I no longer get many spam calls, maybe 1-2 a week that gets quietly handled in the background.
yall actually use the call function?
Why?
Sometimes I have to call a doctor’s office. Or my mom.
calling out is fine, being called is the problem.
There’s only one outgoing call in this screenshot, if I’m not mistaken. That’s acceptable
If my phone rings, and I see an unknown number, I just decline. I’m at this level of trust.
Anyone important will leave a VM,email, or text to reach back out.
Answering my phone is like answering my door.
If I’m not expecting you, I’m not answering.
Totally anecdotal but if you have the number connected with social media like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, etc if you delete your account or maybe even switch out to a different phone number, you will get less to no spam calls. I deleted my social media and after that I don’t receive any calls. I only get calls that I’m supposed to get now.
Also, my phone number registered with bank and dmv is different so this might also be a contributing factor.
Did the same thing. I switched my number and only gave it out in my professional and personal life. Zero spam calls.
That does mean no “rewards programs” at stores and what have you as well.
Would some temp voip number work?
Soo… One of you please make a soundboard app where at the push of a button I can send these telemarketer full on baby screaming sounds or play my own “response” to their ads.
Or better yet, connect them to a voice chat ai that just wastes their time until they hang up. I wonder if something like that exists…
Bad idea… responding to the call marks your number as “active” in their system and they’ll spam you with even more calls. I found that out the hard way.
Just disable the phone function on your pocket computer. It’s just for boomers.
I got so tired of them that I actually answered one a few weeks ago. I was shocked that an actual person answered.
I asked to be taken off and she was very nice and they actually did it.
Haven’t received one since.
T Mobile has an app called Scam Shield that seems to do a better job than Google. If a call is identified as a scam, your phone won’t ring. You can report ones that get through. I installed this a few days ago, and it’s much more manageable now. I get something like 20 scam calls a day. This kept 15 or so from ringing.
I have started asking callers various disheartening questions, like “Is this what you planned for in life?”, “Does your family laugh at you?”, “Do your friends have better jobs than yours?”, “Are you an embarrassment to your parents?”. Most hang up, but a good number get upset - I imagine because their parents really are embarrassed by them. One person, whom I asked if he was happy with his choices in life, said “I am in hell”. My hope with these questions is for them to rethink a life of trying to cheat old people out of money.
I dont know where you live but in Croatia (EU) there is a registar “Dont Call” that you can add your number to. They told me that phone service providers are sharing our numbers LOL unless you ask them not to. This registar should be level above providers so your number should be private no matter what. I was just going to apply to that
In EU due to GDPR you do have the right to be forgot. I have asked those companies who have called me, to delete all information they have about me, and in return I have got the information needed to go through the process. That way there have been less spam calls
That’s… not how that works.
Diallers just dial random numbers. They don’t need a list of numbers to call.
They DGAF if you’re on a do not call register.
If you have a pixel you can turn on call screening for unknown numbers. Ive been using it for a couple years now on my pixel and my phone hardly ever rings now, its fantastic
Phone > settings > call screen > automatically screen calls + maximum protection.
Sounds like an overcomplex and invasive solution for an easy problem. Just switch the number, obviously some strange people (and a lot) had access to it.
Then follow with best practices and never give out your phone number when possible. There are tons of free sms services you can use
You think switching your number is less complex than using call screen?
That would literally involve changing your number with most major web services you use including your bank BEFORE you get rid of your old number. Better hopr you don’t forget one because your not gonna get that sms verification code to log back in.
Thats a fair point. But the real and simple problem is “your phone number was breached somewhere, change it”. I never get spam calls or mails, people that are not careful do.
There’s a setting to screen call as many people mention.
But there’s another setting tucked away somewhere else to block unknown numbers and that’s helped me a lot as well.
Yeah, just block any unknown numbers. Who do you actually have calling you that you don’t know?
If they are blocked they’ll leave a message: “Call me”. It’s like no one has ever heard of screening calls with an answering machine.
Who is your provider? If they have an online toggle for more spam detection/blocking, turn that on. Alternatively you could move to another provider who does a better job at handling spam calls.
For what’s worth, I registered for the FCC’s do not call registry way back and it helped a bit - but once you’re registered, if you get spam calls, you can report the numbers to the FCC for having called you despite being on the registry. YMMV but it might be worth a shot!
I have a policy - only those who should know my phone number is family and they are very strict about asking me before giving to anyone who asks. So, it’s usually not given. Then for businesses and other places which require a phone number, I use a Google Voice number. From doctors, to banks, or other places. I rarely get the scam calls.
HOWEVER
I get around 6-15 SPAM text messages daily. All 100% Political for Trump, Biden, Harris, or whatever scammer tries to get me to support on my non-shared number. A lot try to guilt you into “donating” to them too! I feel bad because while I won’t fall for it, I know many people already do. I have to use Google Messages to effectively block those automatically.
I have AT & T and complained to them about it to be told that I could change my number, but it would be $40.00 to do so. That’s a big scam in itself and I refused.
https://www.fcc.gov/rules-political-campaign-calls-and-texts#:~:text=Political Robocall Restrictions,called party’s prior express consent.
Those calls and texts are illegal and should be reported.
I don’t even get political texts anymore
All my spam texts are from “people” asking if I want to go golfing, or sending me a picture of a wine bottle. It’s absurd.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLPpl2ISKTg
Thanks, I never knew that’s what it was called.
I was also the “victim”(?) of a brushing incident before. It was a strange experience.
Not in America. Dude, same. I get 2,3 spam calls a day, sometimes like 6. It’s so annoying.