Spam calls are a nuisance and can be very annoying. It's important to shut them down, but tracking the source of your unwanted callers can take time and effort. This article will show you how to stop spam calls in the UK this Christmas season.
1. Use a Call Blocker for your landline to Stop Spam Calls
There's no reason not to block spam calls if you have a landline. A good call blocker will stop them from coming through your phone line. This is especially useful if you want people to call at only some hours of the day or night (or both).
Many call blocker options are on the market today, so finding the right one can take time and effort. Here's what to think about as you research your options:
- If your device can program multiple numbers, ensure the functionality works correctly.
- How easy are the systems to use? Can they be operated without trouble by users with no technological background?
One of the best call-blocking devices is the CPR V100K Call Blocker. It has been preloaded with 100,000 known scam/nuisance numbers reported to the FCC. Once the call blocker is connected, this can significantly reduce robocalls, scam calls, political, election, and general nuisance calls.
The red "Block Now" button is on the unit's top. At the push of a button, the unwanted caller's number is stored in the unit's memory, the call will hang up, and it will block the number permanently. This feature allows you to block up to 10,000 unwanted calls.
THE CPR V100K Call Blocker is designed with a minimal footprint to fit perfectly next to your cordless phone at home or in the office. The prominent red block button is easy to see and press. And they are built to stay stable and durable, even when pushed hard.
2. Put Your Phone Number on TPS
Putting your phone number on the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) will stop most spam calls.
The TPS is a free service provided by the ICO that allows users to register their preferences for callers they do not want to receive. If you don't have a mobile phone number, you can use an email instead of using it as part of your name on this website.
TPS will never ask you for money. Various companies offer services that claim to block unwanted calls, but these are scams. You can stop them by hanging up on callers who don't identify themselves. Many companies claim to be the TPS or the BT—we know of several such cases. The actual TPS isn't associated with any of these fake businesses.
3. Stop Spam Calls With Your Carrier
You can also block spam calls with your carrier. Some carriers will offer this service for free, but you should ask them to enable it. While some carriers charge a fee for filtering out spam calls, other carriers don't. You'll need to look up the prices online or in the phone book before deciding on any plan that offers this service.
Some carriers allow you to block specific numbers or area codes, so they don't appear when someone is calling. This option can be beneficial while travelling abroad, as international roaming charges apply only when using cellular service overseas and sometimes even then.
4. File a Complaint With the ICO
The ICO is the UK's independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals. The ICO can investigate complaints about nuisance calls and texts and take action against companies breaking the law.
You can report nuisance calls and spam texts to the ICO here.
Report spam texts or cold calls to the ICO that either played a recorded voice or were from a real person. These reports can help stop nuisance marketing messages. The ICO will use your information to investigate these companies and take action against them.
5. Hang Up Immediately
The first step in stopping spam calls is hanging up as soon as possible. Don't engage with the caller, don't give any personal information, and don't press buttons to get them off the line.
It's also worth remembering that if you receive a phone call from someone who wants to sell you something or convince you of something, it could be an automated call. This means no person is on the other end of your conversation.
If this happens, don't give out any information about yourself or anyone else. It's illegal for companies to sell goods over the phone (or the internet) without permission from individuals.
Conclusion
There is no easy way to stop spam calls this Christmas, but you can make it more difficult for robocallers to reach you. By using the tips above, you can prevent many of those annoying calls from reaching your phone in the first place.
A call blocker device is strongly recommended to block spam calls. Our call blockers are meant to keep you and your family safe from unwanted phone calls and give you peace of mind at home. Browse our products or get in touch with us to help you.