Are you tired of getting multiple spam calls every single day? 📞😩 You’re not alone. Many people nowadays find themselves receiving hundreds of unwanted calls from unknown numbers. But why is this happening? Is your personal number exposed? 🤔 

In this review, we will dive into the world of spam calls to find out the topic of “Why Am I Getting So Many Spam Calls?” and why they are increasing and how spammers actually reach out to you. By the end of this guide, you will be able to know how to take back control of your phone.

Let’s get started on your journey to a happier, quieter, and spam-free life! 🚀😊

🔑Key Highlights
  • Telemarketing calls, scam calls, and robocalls are the several types of spam calls.
  • Data breaches and the purchase of phone numbers are the main reasons behind the increased scam calls. 
  • Unfamiliar numbers, robotic voices, and offers that sound too good to be true are the warning signs of a potential junk call.
  • There are various methods for reducing nuisance calls, such as in-built call-blocking features, third-party apps, and registration with the government agency.

Understanding Spam Calls

Spam Calls

Spam calls are unwanted phone calls usually made by spammers or fraudsters to random numbers or targeted phone numbers. They are typically generated by automated systems like auto-dialers and are intended to gather personal information or sell products. 

There are several varieties of spam calls, from harmless marketing to malicious scams. Therefore, it is important to understand their nature and stay safe. 

Some common types are: 

  • Telemarketing Calls: Businesses make these calls to sell their products or services. These promotional calls are almost legitimate, but some businesses ignore the “Do Not Call” list or may use misleading tactics. 
  • Scam Calls: Fraudsters make scam calls to steal personal information, such as credit card numbers, bank account information, and social security numbers. These scammers appear to be tech support or IRS agents to carry out this phishing activity. 
  • Robocalls: Robocalls are automated calls that use prerecorded messages. Some robocalls have sensible purposes, like appointment reminders, while most are junk calls, such as promotional calls and scams. 

Telecommunications companies have invented stir-shaken technology to prevent fraudulent calls. This technology helps verify caller identity and minimize the chances of cold calls. 

Why Am I Getting So Many Spam Calls?

Why Am I Getting So Many Spam Calls?

If you are frustrated by receiving multiple intrusive calls every day, you are not alone. Many people are bombarded with these calls from unknown numbers. But what is the reason behind this? Why are you getting these calls?

There are several reasons behind these calls, from marketing tactics to data breaches. Let’s see all of them one by one:

1. Data Breaches and Personal Information Leaks

One of the prime reasons to get so many junk calls is data breaches. When companies or banks that have your personal data, such as your name, phone number, etc., are hacked, this data goes into the wrong hands. Hackers mostly sell them on the dark web, where scammer buys and reaches your phone via calls. 

Let’s consider a scenario. Suppose you signed up for a service online that later got hacked. Now, your personal information is in the hands of scammers, and your personal number is a spam number. You are the prime target for them to make calls, such as fake offers and phishing scams. 

2. Purchase of Phone Numbers by Marketers and Scammers

Business owners and marketers often purchase the public’s personal information in bulk to build their contact lists. Marketers then use these numbers to call you to promote their products. 

While most businesses follow the regulations, some might ignore them and use malicious tactics to promote their service or products, making them intrusive calls. 

On the other hand, scammers take it to another level by buying these lists to execute fraudulent activities. Spam callers may pretend to be trusted sources, such as banks or the government, to trick you into sharing your sensitive information. 

3. Interaction With Previous Spam Calls

Your activities may increase the number of fraudulent calls. When you interact with these calls or pick them up, even just to hang up, you indicate to the scammers that your number is online. 

Once spam callers know that your number is active and answered, they are more likely to target it again and even sell it to other scammers. Even small and unintentional interactions, like pressing the unsubscribe button, can confirm that your number is in use. 

4. Other Possible Reasons

  • Caller ID Spoofing: Some calls may come from a familiar number tricking you to answer it. 
  • Random Dialing: Spammers use auto-dialers, which generate random numbers. So, you might get marketing calls even if your number is not on the list. 
  • Using Your Number Online: Using your number for online verification without reading their policies may expose your personal information. 

How to Identifying Spam Calls?

Receiving many unwanted calls can be frustrating and sometimes dangerous. In the growing digital era, spammers have become more clever at tricking people. Therefore, it is important to know how to identify automated calls.

Let’s learn how to recognize the spam calls:

  • Unfamiliar or Blocked Numbers: If you receive a call from an unknown or hidden number, it might be a junk call.
  • Urgent or Threatening Language: Most fraudulent calls want you to take immediate action. They may inform you that your account will be closed or that you must pay money to the government.
  • Offers That Sound Too Good to Be True: Calls that guarantee you lottery winnings, free vacations, or lots of money are usually scams. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
  • Robot Voices or Prerecorded Messages: Robotic voices are very common during robocalls. Any company will rarely make a serious call using a robotic voice.
  • Spoofed Numbers: Some nuisance calls may appear to be coming from a local number or at least one that sounds similar to yours. This is what’s known as spoofing, and it is designed to make you think it’s a legitimate call.

Common Scams to Watch Out For 

  • Bank or Credit Card Scams: These spam calls pose to your bank and ask for your sensible information like credit card pins or bank details. In such cases, always confirm with your bank if in doubt. 
  • Prize or Lottery Scams: Most scammers call to say that you have won a huge lottery but to redeem it, you need to pay a small amount. Legitimate lotteries do not require prepayments. 
  • Tech Support Scams: Spammers often call you, appearing as tech support and claiming your device has a fault and they need your personal information to fix it. Legitimate companies never call users in such a way. 
  • Charity Fund Scams: Charity calls often come after some disasters like floods or earthquakes. Before donating, verify the call. 
  • Government Impersonation Scams: Spammers may call you to inform you that your taxes are remaining or under investigation. Remember that government bodies never make such calls. 

Actionable Steps to Reduce Spam Calls

Spam calls are usually frustrating, annoying, and sometimes even dangerous. However, there are methods to reduce them. Let’s see some of the simple actions that can minimize the unwanted calls:

1. Registering with the National Do Not Call Registry

National Do Not Call Registry is a free service provided by the US government for its citizens to stop most unwanted calls. Registering your number helps to minimize the number of marketing calls you get.

Let’s see some steps to register:

  • Go to their website. (Do Not Call)
  • Click on register and enter your phone number and email address for verification purposes. 
  • Follow the verification email you received to complete the registration. 

After registering, you will stop receiving telemarketing calls after 31 days. However, it only blocks legitimate telemarketers; it cannot block calls from scammers.

2. Utilizing Built-In Phone Features

Both iOS and Android devices have built-in spam call blocker features that can block or silence these calls. 

iOS (iPhone):

You can enable the Silence Unknown Callers from your setting that silences the calls from the numbers that are not in your contact link. 

How to Enable?

  • Go to Settings>Phone>Silence Unknown Callers
  • Turn the toggle switch on. 

Android:

Androids have a feature that automatically identifies and blocks possible unwanted calls.

How to Enable?

  • Go to Call Settings > Caller ID & Spam> Filter Spam Calls.
  • Turn the toggle switch on. 

3. Installing Third-Party Call Blocking Apps

If you are still getting multiple fraudulent calls, then blocking these calls from third-party apps can help. There are free apps that can identify and block these calls in real-time. Let’s see some of the recommended phone apps:

  • Hiya: Hiya is a free app that can identify and block unwanted calls. It blocks robocalls, providing real-time protection.
  • Truecaller is an app available on both the Play Store and App Store. It allows you to look up unknown numbers, identify possible cold calls, and block them.
  • Robokiller: This app can identify potential intrusive calls and block them. It also has a feature where it responds to robocallers with prerecorded messages to waste their time.
🍞You may also like: How to Block Spam Calls on iPhone, Android, and Landline ?

Additional Strategies for Prevention

Spam calls are increasing rapidly these days. You must take some extra steps to protect yourself from spam callers reaching your phone. Apart from the above methods, let’s see some of the additional strategies that can prevent you from getting these calls:

1.  Be Cautious with Your Phone Number

One main way your number is exposed to scammers is through your online activity. Therefore, you must be very careful when leaving your number on any online platform to ensure it is safe from scammers and marketers. 

Here are some tips on where and how to share your number:

  • Leave your personal number only on trusted sites. Do not use it to verify on random sites or surveys.
  • While signing up, companies ask you if you want to receive marketing calls or not. Always opt out of these offers.
  • Use a secondary or virtual phone number for signing up online or while sharing it with companies as far as possible. 

2.  Do Not Engage with Spam Calls

Never pick up a potential junk call. If you mistakenly received it, do not engage with the callers. Spammers often try to check if your number is active or not. Responding or talking to them may lead you to receive more calls in the future. 

Here is a guide on what to do if you accidentally answer an unwanted call:

  • Please hang up the call as soon as you realize it is a telemarketing call. The less time you spend on a call, the less likely they will target you again. 
  • Most spammers trick you into clicking a button (e.g., “Press 1 to end the call.”). Don’t fall for this; avoid it, or you will receive more unwanted calls. 
  • Never share your personal information or sensitive data, such as financial details, during these calls, even if they sound from a trusted site. 

What To Do If You Keep Receiving Spam Calls?

Spam calls can be annoying and disruptive. If you receive spam calls continuously, even after using the basic spam blocking techniques, then you need to take some advanced actions. Here are some of the actions that you can take to tackle this issue: 

1. Reporting Spam Calls

If you continue to receive calls from spammers from the same number repeatedly, you can report them to the authorities. It helps you and others to be protected from these spam and telemarketing calls. 

Here’s a guide to how you can report these calls to the authorities:

  • FCC (Federal Communications Commission): FCC mainly focuses on telemarketing calls in the US. If you are annoyed by receiving such calls, then you can report them through their website. Visit their website and submit the report regarding that call. 
  • FTC (Federal Trade Commission): FTC is also a governmental agency that works against scams and telemarketing calls. You can visit their website and report unwanted calls, robocalls, and telemarketing calls. You need to provide the information regarding the phone number and a short description. 

2. Temporary Solutions

Reporting to the government agency takes time. But, sometimes, you need to take some immediate action to reduce the number of calls from spammers.

In such cases, you can use a secondary phone number (virtual phone number). Free phone numbers, such as Google Voice, are also available for purposes such as registration and online sign-ups. 

Sign up for the Google Voice account and select a number that can be used for multiple purposes, including creating accounts on websites to signing up for newsletters. In this way, you can keep your personal number secure from the scammers.

Also Read: How to Make the Phone Not Reachable to Stop Robocalls?

Final Words

Spam calls are rapidly increasing with the growth of modern technology. You might receive unwanted calls due to factors such as data breaches, numbers being exposed to marketers, and caller ID spoofing. 

Implementing steps like limiting sharing your number, avoiding engaging in spam calls, and using call-blocking apps can protect you from these calls.  Persistent and continuous calls from spammers can be reported to governmental agencies. 

Stay proactive and use smart tools to stay free from spam calls. ✨

FAQs 

Why am I suddenly getting spam calls all day?

You might suddenly receive spam calls because your phone number was leaked or sold through a data breach, online forms, or public listings.

Or it may happen when you have recently interacted with some suspicious website, application, or robocall.

Is it normal to get multiple spam calls a day?

Yes, it is getting more normal due to the widespread robocall campaigns and data breaches. Many spammers attack numbers in bulk, so this can happen to anyone with a number receiving multiple calls each day. 

How to stop getting 20 spam calls a day?

To stop getting 20 spam calls a day, enable your phone’s spam filter, use call-blocking apps, and avoid sharing your number online.

How do I stop continuous spam?

To stop continuous spam numbers, enable “Do Not Disturb” or spam filters, use call-blocking apps, report spam calls, and avoid interacting with unknown or suspicious callers.

Prasanta Raut

Prasanta, founder and CEO of Dialaxy, is redefining SaaS with creativity and dedication. Focused on simplifying sales and support, he drives innovation to deliver exceptional value and shape a new era of business excellence.

Prasanta, founder and CEO of Dialaxy, is redefining SaaS with creativity and dedication. Focused on simplifying sales and support, he drives innovation to deliver exceptional value and shape a new era of business excellence.