Robocalls have become a significant nuisance for many people in the UK, with unwanted calls flooding landline phones daily. Not only can these calls be disruptive and time-consuming, but they can also be dangerous, as scammers often use robocalls to trick people into giving away personal information or money.
In this blog post, we'll look at the problem of robocalls on landline phones in the UK and provide practical tips and techniques for blocking these unwanted calls. We'll cover everything from understanding what robocalls are and how they're made to identifying robocalls and setting up call blocking on your landline phone. We'll also provide some prevention tips to help you avoid falling for robocall scams.
Understanding Robocalls
Robocalls are pre-recorded phone calls made by automated systems, also known as autodialers. These calls are made to many people at once and can be informational or promotional.
There are several different types of robocalls, including:
- Informational robocalls are used to provide updates on things like school closures, weather alerts, and political campaigns.
- Promotional robocalls are used for advertising products or services or to solicit donations.
- Scam robocalls trick people into giving away personal information or money. These calls often pretend to be from a legitimate organization or government agency.
- Spam robocalls are unsolicited calls made to random phone numbers to promote products or services.
Robocalls are made using automated systems, also known as autodialers, which can simultaneously cause many calls. These autodialers are programmed with lists of phone numbers to call and can also be programmed to leave pre-recorded messages on answering machines or voicemail systems. Robocalls can also be made using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, which allows calls to be made over the internet rather than through traditional phone networks.
State of Robocalls in the UK
In the UK, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has reported that robocalls are one of the most common nuisance calls. According to the ICO, the UK receives billions of unwanted calls and texts yearly, with robocalls making up a significant portion of these. Many of these calls are made by scammers and fraudsters, who use robocalls to trick people into giving away personal information or money.
The UK government has taken steps to address the problem of robocalls, including creating the Telephone Preference Service (TPS), which allows individuals to opt out of receiving unsolicited sales and marketing calls. However, the effectiveness of TPS is limited as it only applies to live calls rather than automated calls.
The UK's regulatory body, Ofcom, is also taking steps to combat robocalls. They have introduced a framework that allows phone companies to block calls that are known to be unwanted and also encourage phone companies to make call-blocking technology available to customers for free or at a low cost.
Identifying Robocalls
There are a few signs that can indicate that a call is a robocall:
- The call is pre-recorded and sounds robotic or automated.
- The caller ID is blocked or shows up as "unknown."
- The caller ID is a number that you need to recognize.
- You receive multiple calls from the same number in a short time.
- The call is unsolicited and is trying to sell you something or ask for personal information.
- The call begins with a recorded message: "Hello, this is an important message for..."
You can check the caller ID for robocalls in a few ways:
- Look up the number online to see if it is listed as a known robocaller or scam number.
- Use a call-blocking app or service that can identify and block robocalls.
- Check the caller ID on your phone to see if it's a number you recognize. If not, do not answer the call.
- Ignore calls with numbers that are not familiar to you or that have been blocked.
- If you answer a call you suspect is a robocall, hang up immediately.
Do Not Call Registry
You can register your phone number with the TPS, which makes it illegal for organizations to call you to sell goods or services. However, it is important to note that it will not block all robocalls, such as informational or scam robocalls. It only applies to live calls and not to robocalls pre-recorded or generated by automated systems.
Call Blockers to Stop Robocalls
A call-blocking device for your landline phone can be an effective way to block robocalls, as it can be programmed to block specific numbers or types of calls. You can also use these devices with other methods, such as registering with the TPS, to provide an additional layer of protection against robocalls.
Additionally, it's also essential to educate yourself about the latest scam tactics used by robocallers, and share it with your family and friends, so that they can also protect themselves from these unwanted calls.
For example, the CPR Call Blocker V100K is an effective solution for managing your landline calls. With a pre-installed database of 100,000 known scam and nuisance numbers reported to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), you can easily block a wide range of unwanted calls with just the press of a button.
The device features a large, user-friendly "Block Now" button that allows you to quickly and easily block unwanted callers by adding their numbers to the device's memory. With the capability to block up to 10,000 unwanted calls, you'll be able to keep your phone free from interruptions and disturbances.
The V100K also includes a feature that lets you view a list of the last 20 calls, and you can quickly add numbers to your blocked list by pressing the BLOCK NOW button or remove numbers by pressing the DELETE button.
The device is designed to fit seamlessly next to your cordless phone at home or work. Its compact size and large red block button make it easy to use and visible. Built to last, the V100K Call Blocker is the ideal solution for anyone looking to take control of their landline calls.
Prevention
Tips for preventing robocalls:
- Refrain from answering calls from unknown numbers.
- Use call-blocking technology, such as apps or devices.
- Register your phone number with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS)
- Be cautious of giving out your phone number, especially on the internet or in response to unsolicited emails or text messages.
- Do not press any numbers or speak to the caller if you answer a robocall, as this will signal to the robocaller that your number is active and may lead to more robocalls.
How to avoid falling for robocall scams:
- Do not give out personal information over the phone, such as your Social Security number or bank account information. Legitimate organizations will not ask for this information over the phone.
- Do not make payments or provide financial information to unsolicited callers, regardless of how convincing they may sound.
- Be wary of calls threatening immediate action, such as disconnecting your service, if you do not provide payment or personal information.
- If you receive a robocall that you suspect is a scam, hang up and report it to the appropriate authorities, such as the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) in the UK.
- Keep yourself updated with the latest scam tactics used by robocallers and share them with your family and friends.
Following these tips can help prevent robocalls from reaching your landline phone and avoid falling victim to robocall scams.
Conclusion
Robocalls are a significant problem in the UK and can be a nuisance to individuals and organizations. To prevent robocalls, it is crucial to be cautious about giving out your phone number and to use call-blocking technology. It is also essential to be aware of robocall scams and not to give out personal information or make payments to unsolicited callers.
Our call blockers are created to give you and your family peace of mind at home by shielding you from intrusive phone calls. Please browse our selection of products or contact us so we can assist you.