What to do about robo callers

[Anonymous]

For about 3 years I get non-stop calls from robots and its always either open enrollment for healthcare, car warranty experation, school loan consolidation, or mortgage refinance. I have hundreds already blocked on my phone and I know I'm on the do not call list. I just don't know what else to do. My daughter receives these calls as well but knows not to pick up for unknown numbers.

A lot of the numbers seem local but unless the number is saved on my phone I will not pick up.

[Anonymous]

Not sure how effective it is, but you can report those numbers to the FCC. They have a form you can fill out for robocalls or calls you are receiving even though you are on the Do Not Call registry. Especially report calls when they pretend they are from the federal government, as that is a more severe offense.

[Anonymous]

I don't pick up unless I know the caller. You can't block them effectively because they regularly switch the number they're calling from.

I have assigned a particular ringtone to people I know who are in my contacts list. Everyone rings on the default ring, so just by the sound I know if it's a call I want to take.

[Anonymous]

Favorite was when the caller ID showed the robocall was coming from MY OWN NUMBER.

[Anonymous]

I've noticed a lot of them lately will actually show up as "Telemarketer" or "Spam risk."

I don't pick up unless I know the number, but really I'm not too comfortable with that. My kids are teens, and I always worry that "what if" my kid lost his phone and borrowed one to call me in an emergency, and I didn't pick up because I didn't recognize the number?

[Anonymous]

I block the numbers every time

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've noticed a lot of them lately will actually show up as "Telemarketer" or "Spam risk."

I don't pick up unless I know the number, but really I'm not too comfortable with that. My kids are teens, and I always worry that "what if" my kid lost his phone and borrowed one to call me in an emergency, and I didn't pick up because I didn't recognize the number?

You can pick up, but don’t say anything. Robospeech only starts if it hears your voice. If it’s an actual person calling, they will say Hello.

[Anonymous]

OMG I have noticed a 500% uptick in the number of calls I'm getting. so many in the last week!

I do block every single one, but that truly does nothing since they're robo calls.

[Anonymous]

If you have an iPhone, 6S or newer, you can adjust your settings so that only numbers that are in your contacts folder will ring to your phone. All other calls will go directly to your voicemail.
Obviously, this is not a perfect solution, but if someone really needs to speak to you they will leave a message.
I did this and it works great. Not sure if Android offers something similar.

[Anonymous]

Good news: House, Senate announce agreement on anti-robocall bill, which could lead to real relief -- eventually.

https://thehill.com/policy/technology/470729-house-senate-announce-agreement-on-anti-robocall-bill