Why Am I Getting So Many Spam Calls?

You may be receiving an increase in spam calls if your phone number is on the dark web or people search sites, if you’ve answered spam calls in the past or if your phone number was leaked in a data breach. Spam calls are unwanted calls that could be from telemarketers, robocallers or scammers. Although some spam calls are simply unsolicited, scam calls fall under the category of spam calls but are different due to their malicious nature.

Read on for potential reasons why you are getting so many spam calls and tips to reduce the number of spam calls you receive.

1. Your phone number appeared on the dark web

If you are receiving many spam calls, your phone number might be on the dark web, a part of the internet where cybercriminals buy and sell stolen personal data. You can check if your information is on the dark web by performing a dark web scan.

2. You’ve answered a spam number in the past

By answering spam calls in the past, you’ve let spammers and scammers know that your phone number is active, so they will continue contacting you in the future. This is why it’s important not to answer any spam calls, even though most are harmless. Some spammers could be scammers trying to convince you to share private information or send money.

3. Your number appears on people search sites

People search sites collect and sell your personal information by finding your data in public records and on social media. Sometimes, you can find personal information about someone on people search sites for free. If your phone number is in a public record that anyone could find, spammers might have found it on a people search site. Once someone finds your public records, just one piece of information, like your phone number, could lead to more personal information. Here are some examples of information that people can find based on your public records:

• Driving records
• Criminal history
• Marriage records
• Professional licenses (PhD, JD, etc.)
• Property records

4. Your phone number was leaked in a public data breach

A data breach occurs when sensitive data is accidentally exposed due to a company’s vulnerabilities and is then stolen by an unauthorized user like a cybercriminal. Your phone number could have been stolen during a public data breach, leading to a cybercriminal putting it on the dark web. This could cause you to receive a sudden increase in spam calls if the data breach in which your phone number was leaked occurred recently.

5. You added your phone number to your social media

If you have a public social media profile and you’ve added your phone number to it, you may receive more spam calls because anyone can see and use your phone number. Avoid oversharing any personal information, such as your home address or phone number, on social media since it can be used to steal your identity or more sensitive information. What you post on social media is part of your digital footprint, which is traceable data based on your unique online activities. If your phone number is added to your social media profiles, it becomes part of your digital footprint, which others can use to trace other information about you online.

How to stop receiving so many spam calls

Fortunately, there are ways to limit the number of spam calls. Although these steps can’t prevent all spam calls, you will notice a significant decrease by following them.

Avoid answering “Spam Likely” calls

Refrain from answering calls marked as “Spam Likely” or “Potential Spam” because not only will this let other spammers know that you will answer spam calls, but it could also be a scammer on the line. For example, not answering these calls reduces the chances of speaking with a scammer who could record your conversation and use your voice with Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to impersonate you.

Ask your mobile carrier if they offer a call-blocking service

Many mobile carriers offer call-blocking services, which allow you to block spam and scam calls through your phone plan. AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and U.S. Cellular have apps and features that can stop unwanted calls from reaching your phone. Contact your mobile carrier to ask what kinds of call-blocking services can be added to your phone plan for free or for a small fee.

Get a spam-filtering app

For extra security, you can download a spam-filtering app, which filters and blocks spam numbers without changing your phone plan. Spam-filtering apps rely on databases of known spam numbers, and when one is used to call your phone, the app will intercept the call before it reaches you. Some of these apps use bots that aim to waste spammers’ time and discourage them from calling your phone number back.

Enable settings to silence and block unknown callers

Another great way to reduce the number of spam calls you receive is by silencing and blocking unknown callers in your phone’s settings. iPhone users can do this by going into Settings, clicking Phone, scrolling down and toggling on Silence Unknown Callers. By doing this, you will send every caller who is not in your contacts straight to voicemail. If you expect to receive an important call from a potential job or medical organization, make sure to leave this feature off so the call comes through on your phone.

Google users can find similar settings in their Phone app. Select More > Settings > Spam and Call Screen > Call Screen. Depending on if you have a phone model older or newer than a Pixel 6, you’ll select either Unknown Call Settings or Protection level.

If you have a Samsung phone, go to Call Settings, then toggle on Caller ID and spam protection. At the bottom of the screen, you can also toggle on Block spam and scam calls to ensure none of the same spam or scam phone numbers that call you once can call you back.

Sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry

You can register your home phone and/or cell phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry (DNC Registry) to reduce the number of spam calls you receive. The DNC Registry allows you to register your phone number(s) for free to prevent unwanted spam calls from reaching your phone. The DNC Registry can do this because companies are legally required to abide by your request not to be called at the number(s) you register. Since this mostly applies to telemarketers, other kinds of organizations, such as political groups or charities, may still be able to call you.

Reduce the frequency of spam calls

Although there is no way to prevent every unwanted call from reaching your phone, you can limit the frequency of spam calls by following these steps. Do not answer phone calls from unfamiliar numbers or any caller ID that says “Spam Likely.” Talk to your mobile carrier to see what call-blocking services they offer, and download a spam-filtering app to be safe. Remember that spam calls can also be from scammers looking for private information or money, so don’t answer spam calls to protect yourself.