How to Block Robocalls

Preventing robocalls

Companies use automatic dialing systems to save time and money. Traditionally, phone calls were made by telemarketers in call centers. Automated systems, often referred to as “robocallers,” use computers to dial thousands of calls per hour. This is a drastic increase over what humans can do. However, calls made with automatic dialing systems, known as “robocalls” can be annoying to the consumer that receives the calls. People find it hard to stop them.

Carrier Solutions

Tech companies, phone carriers and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are trying to find a solution to the growing problem of robocalls. One expert referred to robocalls as a “whack a mole” problem. This means that no matter how many times you stop a telemarketer or scammer, one always appears to take its place. Major phone carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint and AT&T offer caller ID and call blocking systems but the scammers are often one step ahead, finding new ways to get around the system.

A Growing Problem

A report published by First Orion shows there has been an increase in robocalls over the last year. According to the report, the number of calls exploded from “3.7 percent of total calls in 2017 to 29.2 percent in 2018.” Experts predict the use of automatic dialing systems will go up to 44.6 percent in 2019. In 2018, robocallers made 26.3 billion calls. The FCC issues big fines to companies violating the law but many companies don’t seem to be affected, particularly if they aren’t legitimate organizations.

VoIP Calls

The rise in the use of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) numbers also makes it harder to get the calls to stop. VoIP is a system that allows people to set up a free account online to make internet-based phone calls. The phone calls can be made to mobile phones or landlines and appear with a phone number the user chooses. The numbers are largely untraceable. The system is particularly popular with scammers that reside outside the country as it allows them to appear as if they are calling from local companies.

Blocking Robocalls

The first thing people should do if they receive robocalls or spam calls is to register with the National Do Not Call Registry. The system was created for people to stop calls from telemarketers. It doesn’t help with scam robocalls or certain telemarketing companies but signing up may reduce the number of calls and provide proof against companies that violate the law.

Signing Up Online

Signing up for contest, free goods and other services online is another way in which telemarketers and scammers find phone numbers to call. Every time someone signs up for something online, the information becomes a public record. Often, companies sell that information to others. It is impossible to remove that information from the Internet. The only recourse is to change your phone number.

Caller ID Apps

The second thing that will help is a caller ID app for iPhone. The app will help you to identify and trace numbers that call. There are third party apps that will also help you to block robocalls. You can block all calls except those from people on your contacts list. Most phones have settings that will allow you to block unknown or unwanted calls and blacklist the numbers. For example, smartphones from Samsung offer a native feature called Smart Call. It automatically screens incoming calls, and flags suspicious numbers.

Google uses a similar feature with its Android smartphones like Pixel and Android One. The app warns the user if an incoming call is a suspected spam call or robocall. Users can then block calls in their phone’s settings.

Avoiding Telemarketing Calls

  • Don’t answer calls from unknown phone numbers. If an automated system asks you to press a button to opt out of calls, don’t press the button – simply hang up. Scammers use this trick to identify possible targets, including when they are available. They may also sell the information to third parties.
  • Do not respond to any questions, especially those that require “Yes” or “No” answers.
  • Never give out personal information, including your address, credit card or bank account numbers, Social Security number, mother’s maiden name, passwords or other information that can be used to access your accounts.
  • If you receive a call from someone who says he represents a government agency, hang up right away. Call the phone number on your statement, in the phone book, or on the agency’s website to verify the caller’s veracity. Government agencies rarely call anyone without first sending a letter in the mail.
  • Refuse to give out any information if you feel pressured by the caller.
  • Use a password for your voicemail account. Otherwise, a hacker could spoof your phone number and have access to your voicemail.
  • Talk to your phone company about call blocking tools. The FCC permits phone companies to block robocalls based on reasonable algorithms.

Rules for Telemarketers

Many people don’t realize that telemarketers have to abide by a specific set of rules, even if you have an established business relationship with them. For example, your credit card company must obey these rules the same as callers from unknown companies. The FCC created these rules:

  • Companies must obey the rules of the National Do Not Call Registry. Violators should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
  • The company must display its original phone number or the phone number the company they represent. If possible, the company should also display the name of the company it represents.
  • The company must display a phone number that can be called during regular business hours. Callers must have the ability to remove themselves from the company’s call list.

Blocking Individual Phone Numbers

Blocking phone numbers is a good way to avoid receiving unwanted or scam calls. It might not be possible to block every unwanted phone call, but it can help with the persistent ones. Here’s how:

Apple iPhone – Open your Phone app, go to the “Recents” tab, and then select the information icon by the number you want to block. Follow the prompts.

Android – Open your Phone app, go to the “Recents” tab, use a long press on the number and then choose “Block/report spam.” (The process may differ depending on the type of phone you have.)

Do Not Disturb

Most people are connected to their phones except when they are asleep. If the calls are too distracting or annoying, use the Do Not Disturb feature. It will stop the calls, yet callers can still leave a voicemail or send a text message.

Conclusion

Until phone carriers find a way to stop or block robocalls, which is unlikely, the tech industry will continue to make apps to fight against them. Do your research and then choose the app that is right for you.

Reverse Searches for Cell Phone Numbers

Reverse Phone Lookup

Have you ever received a call from an unknown number? How do you know if it’s a call you should answer or ignore? One of the easiest ways to identify an unknown number is to use a reverse phone search. The search will identify the name and location of the owner, whether it is an individual or business. The searches are easy, and usually free. However, if the caller is using a cell phone, the search is a little more difficult.

Search Engines

If you want to search for a phone number, you can do it in one of two ways. The first way is to go online and type the information into a search engine like Google. You can also choose to use a website devoted to searches, such as WhitePages.com.

You must type the phone number in with the area code and select “search.” The results will show you the name of the caller. Users prefer websites that are free, however, that’s not always possible. The hosts must pay to get information and keep it up to date. This is especially true when it comes to cell phones.

Why It Isn’t Free

Websites collect data from various sources and then use it to do the searches. The sources include other websites, phone directories, social media, reverse phone directories, and more. While there are free services, the information is often outdated. There isn’t a single source that records and maintains data for cell phones.

Cell Phone Numbers

People can’t get cell phone numbers easily because cell phone companies issue the numbers. Therefore, there isn’t a single directory for cell phone numbers. Traditional phone companies have to interface with other companies which is why it’s possible to have a phone directory of landlines. Companies would have difficulty in maintaining a directory because people change phone numbers frequently. Internet phone numbers make the task more difficult. Intelius, Inc. tried to make a cell phone directory in 2008, but people complained about an invasion of privacy, plus a wireless company threatened to sue.

Cell Phone Look Up

Users can do a search on cell phone numbers, but it is rarely free. First, type “reverse cell phone lookup” into a search engine. You’ll get a list of sites that have the information. Second, pick a site and type in the phone number. You’ll be asked to pay a fee for the search, or you can subscribe to the service. Some sites don’t charge for searches if they are unable to get the information.

Fake Numbers

Some telemarketers and scammers use fake numbers to trick you into answering the phone. To keep from getting repeat calls, you can use an app or the settings on your phone to block the number. If you get repeat calls from someone claiming to be from a government agency, report the activity to the agency and to the Federal Communications Commission.

 

What is Caller ID Spoofing?

Scammers call using fake numbers

Caller ID spoofing is when a caller gives false information that will show up on your caller ID. The tactic is to hide their identity. Although it’s not illegal to use alternate information as a Caller ID, most people use it deceptively, trying to make you believe that the number belongs to someone else. They may also want to make the number untraceable. Scammers frequently use this tactic.

Legal Spoofing

Business professionals have used spoofing for many years, but with good reason. A company may use spoofing so that calls from anyone inside the company reflect the business’ main phone number. Doctors often use spoofing to conceal their personal numbers and replace them with the main office number. The call is recognized by the patient and also maintains the privacy of the doctor. Law enforcement agencies can also use caller ID spoofing.

Illegal Spoofing

Illegal spoofing is using a false number to trick a target into answering the phone. Consumers are savvy these days, so fooling them isn’t easy. However, if a scammer wants you to think he is calling from a well-known company like Microsoft, he can spoof the company’s main number. The target will answer the call and may be fooled if the caller claims to be from Microsoft’s tech support or billing department.

The Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009 bans anyone from using false or misleading caller ID information “with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value.” Anyone caught illegally spoofing can get a fine of up to $10,000 for each offense. The fines do not stop most scammers as they are usually untraceable.

Neighbor Spoofing

Scammers use fake numbers in the region. They target people who may think the call is from a neighbor. They use a local exchange and may mirror a number close to your own. For example, if your number is 910-553-8762, the scammer might use 910-553-0371 or 910-553-8754. Phone numbers that appear to be local are more likely to be answered by the target. Most people don’t answer unknown numbers, but if the number appears local, the target may think it’s a call from their child’s school, the local pharmacy, or a call from a neighbor in need. If you see a number you don’t recognize but could be important, you can use a white pages iPhone app to investigate before taking the call. You can return legitimate calls right away. The Federal Communications Commission has a plan to stop neighbor spoofing, urging the phone industry to use a strong caller ID authentication system.

Avoiding Spoofing Scams

You can use several techniques to avoid spoofing scams. Don’t answer calls from unknown phone numbers. If you answer the call, do not respond to any questions, especially if they are “yes” or “no” answers. If an automated system asks you to press a button to opt out of calls, do not press the button – simply hang up. You should also hang up the phone if the caller asks for any personal information.

Why Use A Reverse Phone Number Lookup?

Looking up phone numbers online

Cell phone users can find many reasons to use an iPhone reverse cell phone lookup app. Unknown numbers top the list. People want to know if the person calling is a neighbor, friend, their child’s school, or a telemarketer. Using a reverse lookup app can tell you the person’s name and address, allowing you to decide whether to answer the phone, let it go to voicemail or block it when the call arrives.

These are a few reasons to use a reverse phone number lookup app:

  • You notice a missed call from Fred Jones at 813-555-1234. Who is Fred Jones and where is the 813 area code?
  • You find a piece of paper or Post-it Note with a phone number written on it and no other information. It’s obviously an important number but you can’t remember why you wrote it down. You can call the number to find out who it belongs to, or much less embarrassing, do a reverse phone number search.
  • You receive a phone call from an unknown number. Should you call back?
  • Your doctor refers you to a specialist and only have his phone number. Use a reverse number search to find the doctor’s location.
  • There are calls on your phone bill that you don’t recognize.

Landlines vs. Cell Phones

Although there are many online services that allow you to lookup landline and business phone numbers, mobile phone numbers can be trickier and are almost never free. Why? Most cell phone users choose not to have their numbers published. Many are private and want to stay that way. Individual phone companies issue phone numbers rather than interlocking phone systems which issue landline numbers, so tracing them becomes more difficult.

Cell Phone Directory

Statistics show that there were more than 225 million cell phones in use in the U.S. in 2018. Compiling a directory for all those numbers – many of which change frequently – would be nearly impossible or outdated as soon as it was published. Additionally, the use of VoIP phone numbers has exploded over the past couple of years.

Google allows you to enter cell phone numbers, but you will be routed to another service that requires a fee or membership in their service. The fees can be a one-time fee or a monthly or yearly membership. Some websites will offer free results.

Invasion of Privacy

Cell phone directories have been a hot topic over the past decade. In 2008, Intelius announced the publication of a cell phone directory containing 90 million phone numbers. The response was not positive. Intelius faced consumer complaints claiming an invasion of privacy in addition to the threat of a lawsuit by a wireless phone company. As a result, Intelius discontinued the service. Therefore, a true cell phone directory with all cell phone listings won’t be created anytime soon, if ever.

Applying for Online Loans

 Online LoansEveryone needs extra cash from time to time. There are even times when things feel desperate. Applying for online loans might seem like a good idea – a quick fix – but they are often a source of trouble. Loans are offered by everyone from legitimate banks to credit cards to cash advance services. Due diligence and giving out the right information may save you from theft, fraud, or worse.

Red Flags

Red flags can be obvious, but may not be recognized by uneducated consumers. Before applying for a loan, check out the company thoroughly to make sure it’s legitimate. The Better Business Bureau is a good place to start. Research reviews from former and current customers. Check scam websites.

Seven Signs:

  1. The lender doesn’t request credit history. The first thing a reliable lender should ask for is your credit history. Real lenders want to know they are making a calculated risk. Before applying, you should have your credit history in front of you. Credit history is issued through three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. If you aren’t required to give your credit history, it’s a scam. They are interested in collecting high fees from late payments.
  2. The lender isn’t registered. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires registration for all lenders and loan brokers in the state(s) they conduct business. Verify the lender is legally permitted to process your loan.
  3. The lender requires a prepaid debit card. Some sites will require a prepaid card as collateral or insurance. Prepaid cards are untraceable and nonrefundable, so the scammers keep the money free and clear.
  4. The lender approaches you. Legitimate lenders advertise, but you should be suspicious of one that calls or shows up at your door. If you receive such a call do a free phone trace on iPhone to verify the number of the caller.
  5. Their website isn’t secure. If your antivirus or firewall software doesn’t catch it, you can tell a website is secure if it features a padlock symbol next to the URL. Also, a secure site will have an address with https://www… Instead of the typical http://www.
  6. The lender has no address. All banks and loan brokers have a physical address. Use Google Maps to pinpoint their location.
  7. The lender wants immediate action. Don’t give in to limited time offers, even if the lender promises to send the money the next day.

Reporting a Fraud

If you suspect you have been the victim of a fraud or identity theft due to an online loan offer, contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Dating Apps: What You Need To Know

Online dating is now more popular than ever. Millions of single people are now using websites and dating apps to meet “the one”. These are the things that you should keep in mind if you’re looking to try online dating.

The Basics

To start off you should decide what you’re willing to pay and what you’re looking for. There are all different types of sites and apps and it’s important to pick the one that best serves your needs. Sites like eHarmony and Match.com are paid and have compatibility tests that you take when signing up.

If you’re looking for something that requires a little less commitment dating apps like Tinder and Bumble are great. They are free to use and you’ll be able to meet plenty of singles in your area. There won’t be any compatibility tests included with these apps though! You’ll have to go solely off of a few pictures and a short bio.

Creating Your Profile

Setting up your online dating profile can sometimes be a challenge. In our experience it’s always good to include a few photos of yourself that you like and a short bio. Don’t give away too much information about yourself. It’s important to maintain your privacy and not reveal too much personal information when first meeting a stranger online.

Beware Of Romance Scams And Other Crimes

Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world. It’s full of scammers and worse. It’s important that you be careful when using online dating and dating apps. Try to avoid the following scenarios:

  • A match starts professing his love for you very quickly without ever meeting you. This is usually followed by a plea for money.
  • A match insists on picking you up at your house for the first date or refuses to meet in public. It’s a good idea to find your own transportation for the first date and meet in a public place. The person you’re talking with might seem normal online or via text, but they could be a total creep in real life.

How To Protect Yourself

The best way to protect yourself when using online dating is by keeping the following things in mind:

  • Keep personal information guarded. Don’t let a new date know exactly where you work or live. You may even want to keep your phone number private. You can use a second phone number app to protect your identity.
  • Meet in public places and let someone know who you’re going to meet up with and where you’ll be.
  • Don’t be afraid to do some digging on social media. We’re not saying that you have to run a background check on a person, but don’t feel ashamed to search them on Facebook or Instagram. You can look up their phone number using a white pages iPhone app to find out their full name.

By following some of these tips you’ll be able to get the most out of online dating! Enjoy!

How To Find Out Who Is Calling Your iPhone and Other Features

Are you considering purchasing the new iPhone and are wondering whether it is really worth it? Have you just bought this great phone and want to know more about it? We’ll look at some of the features that make this phone worth it.

iPhone white pages reverse lookup app

A Balanced Performer

Most reviewers have credited iPhone for its consistency and balanced features. The phone has a great design, light weight, long lasting battery, high quality camera, and fast access to features. This is in contrast to other new phone releases such as Nokia Lumia 930, Sony Xperia Z3, Samsung Galaxy S5, LG G3 and HTC One M8. These phones may excel and stand out in one or two features but have a set-back in another of these core functions of a phone.

For example, the Sony Xperia Z3 has been reviewed as being not aesthetically appealing, while HTC One M8 is beautiful but significantly heavier than the rest. On the other hand, Nexus 5 has issues with battery life and the LG G3 has numerous user interface problems.

This makes the iPhone stand out among its peers.

The iPhone 6 Plus Camera

The iPhone’s camera is in itself a major consideration for buying the phone. Though camera ranking is subjective and debatable, the fact is that this phone’s camera has consistently ranked at the top. iPhone’s camera has been commended for its lighting adjustment, flash performance, color separation, precision, and its intelligent autofocus.

Apple Pay Mobile Payment Solution

Besides the high performing functionality of the iPhone, there is yet another reason as to why you should consider the phone.

Apple Pay has continued to partner with outlets to make it convenient for iPhone owners to make payments and transactions with their phone. Mobile payments are becoming very popular.

Apple has partnered with multiple stores, franchises ,and service providers to make mobile payments more convenient.

Find Out Who Is Calling Your iPhone and More

In a bid to remain competitive over its main rival, Google Play, Apple has released a more powerful and easier to use programming language for its applications. The Swift scripting language replaced Objective-C with the new iPhone’s release.

Most programmers have found this scripting language much easier and more powerful to use when making applications. This new programming language attracts more programmers to make apps for iOS. Swift is also projected to result in more complex and intelligent applications than its counterpart in Android.

Already, there are powerful and interesting applications that have been released. Among these include an iPhone white pages reverse lookup app, Transmit for managing files, and Sky Guide for star gazing. For iPhone users, the new and better scripting language will result in even more applications that perform better.

Block Calls On Your iPhone and Other Helpful Apps

The iPhone has changed the world since it’s release. Apple launches a new phone version or gadget almost every year. With each version the software and processing power gets better and better, not to mention the other cool features. In addition, there are a number of excellent apps available on iOS that will make your life a lot easier.

Block Calls On Your iPhone

Here are some of the best apps we’ve found available in the App Store

Lumosity

If you want to be smarter, Lumosity is what you need. It has fun games that will help train your brain. It’s like sending your brain to the gym. This app will make your cognitive thinking stronger and actually make you smarter.

IMO

This interesting little app lets you message and videochat with your friends for free. You can create chat groups and share videos and images easily with your contacts.

Prism Bills

This app let’s you save your bills and other important financial accounts to help save you time when organizing your money. It can send you auto reminders to pay your bills. The digital filing cabinet keeps your bills and other statements in the right place for you to stay up to date and organized financially.

Block Calls On Your iPhone

There are a lot of apps that will block calls on your iPhone for you. Just search “block calls” in the App Store and you’ll get a lot of options. You can also use your iPhone’s ability to block certain numbers. This will save you the headache of dealing with annoying spam calls and dangerous phone scammers

With the power of apps, there are countless ways to organize your life, improve your brain, and even keep you safe. The key is to find the apps that truly benefit your lifestyle.