How to Prevent Persistent Scam Phone Calls Despite Blocking Numbers

Despite blocking phone numbers, scammers continue to harass you via calls, texts, emails, and even social media. This article provides insights and strategies to effectively combat these persistent attempts to contact you.

Understanding Scam Call Tactics

Many people encounter the frustration of receiving scam calls even after blocking the numbers. The primary reason these calls persist is not due to the ineffectiveness of blocking measures themselves, but rather because scammers focus on making your personal and professional information less accessible. This includes protecting your phone, email address, and social media profiles.

Protecting Your Information

To ensure that scammers cannot harass you, it's crucial to keep your phone and email addresses private. Avoid using social media platforms where your details might be publicly available. If you must use social media, thoroughly secure your accounts using strong passwords and privacy settings. Remember, the more public your information, the easier it is for scammers to find you.

Caller ID Spoofing: A Common Scam Technique

Scammers often use Caller ID spoofing to make your calls appear as if they are coming from a trusted or local number. They may change their number each time, but some scammers will use the same number and call again, hoping you will unblock them. They can spoof anything: numbers that are not in service, nonexistent country codes, or even silly numbers like '33'. The key is to recognize that any number can be spoofed, and no single blocking method is foolproof.

Copag SCAM Likely

Some phone companies, especially T-Mobile, may label known scammers with a 'Scam Likely' Caller ID. This feature helps you identify potentially fraudulent calls, but it does not completely prevent them. It's a useful start but requires additional layers of protection.

Dealing with Persistent Scammers

When faced with persistent scam callers, it's often more effective to confront the company rather than the individual. Here are a few strategies:

Find the Company Behind the Call: Try to identify which company is making the call. This can be done by checking the Caller ID or by researching the number online. Once you have identified the company, call their official line and harass them until they block your number. Use Unusual Responses: Believe it or not, using off-the-wall responses can sometimes work. For instance, you could say you represent the Church of Scientology and are looking for new members. Make your response as outrageous as possible and ask them for a financial contribution towards organizing away days in Arizona or the Rockies. This approach can catch scammers off guard and possibly deter further calls.

Additional Protection Strategies

In addition to blocking phone numbers and using unusual responses, consider these additional steps:

Report the Scammer: Report the scammers to your local law enforcement or to online databases like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States. Reporting multiple instances of harassment can help prevent scam calls for others as well. Use Call Blocking Apps: Utilize reputable call blocking apps or services that can learn from your behavior and automatically block known scammers based on their previous actions. Change Your Phone Number: If all else fails, consider changing your phone number to reduce the likelihood of being targeted by persistent scammers.

By combining these strategies, you can significantly reduce the frequency and impact of scam calls and protect yourself from further harassment.