While it may not feel like it, the number of robocalls has dropped below its peak in 2019. In March 2021, there were nearly 5 billion robocalls. Last month, there were 3.9 billion calls, according to YouMail's Robocall Index. That's still a lot of calls.
You may have registered on the FTC’s National Do Not Call Registry and maybe you know regulations exist that limit the ways debt collectors and companies selling things can pester you on your cell phone. But even if you have these safeguards in place, the calls keep coming. So how do telemarketers get your phone number anyway? You might be surprised.
1. You overshare your number
Anytime you fill out a form and give out your phone number – whether it’s a contest entry, a warranty registration, a signup form for an online service, what you include on your social networking profile – you’re opening yourself up for solicitations. Or, think about how many retailers have your number because you want loyalty points to score discounts or in-store credit.
Even putting your phone number in your email signature can put you at risk. As can giving your number to your dentist for appointment reminders or favorite food delivery service to get a "convenient" text notification. Even using two-factor authentication (which we hope you do!) can require you to give up your phone number.
If you enter your number on a form or online, there's a chance that your number will end up in someone else's hands.
2. You accept Terms of Use without reading or understanding them
A growing number of mobile apps – things like flashlight utilities or games – are really only interested in harvesting your personal information and selling it. So make sure you read the Terms of Use or Terms of Service. And check to see what apps want to access when you install them. Apple provides a clear listing of the data that's used to track you and the data that's collected and linked to you in App Privacy section for each app in the App Store. By July 2022, Android developers are required to provide privacy information for their apps in the Google Play safety section, which includes how user data is collected and handled.
3. Big data has killed privacy
We live in an age where computers are so smart and fast they can crawl the web and look at billions of data points instantly. In a blink they can look at everything you like, post, or tweet. They can mine census data and other public records, such as how much you paid for your house and whether or not it was ever foreclosed upon. Just search for yourself on PeekYou – you’ll be amazed at the number of companies that claim to have information about your family, income, phone number and much, much more. (Check out our guide to removing yourself from people search services.)
Again, the more information you share online, the easier it’s going to be for someone to get your mobile number.
4. Technology can dial zillions of random numbers like it’s nothing
We’ve all received calls that don’t have another human on the other end. Not only is the call robodialed, but the process of finding your number is automated as well. Dialing devices can figure out and call all possible phone number combinations, including unlisted and mobile numbers.
5. Automatic Number Identification can sabotage you
When you call 800, 888, and 900 numbers your phone number can be captured by a system called "Automatic Number Identification" or ANI. ANI automatically identifies and stores your number and matches it with other online digital markers associated with you.
6. The credit bureaus give away your information
Before you get mad at them for spilling so much of your personal information, remember – you’re the one who agreed to sign up for that department-store credit card so as to receive 25% off.
7. Charities take all the fun out of being philanthropic
Some charities hire third-party telemarketing companies to collect funds on their behalf. Telemarketers keep a percentage of whatever they collect, turning over the rest of your donation to the charity. However, the telemarketers also keep your personal information, from which they can profit exponentially as they sell and resell it to other telemarketing companies.
What to do about it
First, be smart about accepting Terms of Use when it comes to apps you’re downloading onto your smartphone. Does a flashlight utility really need access to your call logs?
And, while some telemarketers don’t heed it, many do – register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry (Do Not Call registrations never expire). Note that if you give your cell phone number to a business, they can call you for up to 180 days after even if you’re on the Do Not Call Registry
[Editor's note: Canada has its own Do Not Call registry]
Use a burner or alternate number if you absolutely must sign up for a loyalty program or contest. And there’s simply no reason you need to post your phone number on Facebook or other online profiles. The people who you want to hear from already have your number or can email you to get it.
Also, make sure spam call blocking is turned on and consider using an app that identifies spammers when they call. I like Call Control for Android, Hiya or Truecaller for iOS, and Nomorobo for your landline phone. Alternately, get a Google Voice number. It has a good screener and you can block numbers.
Finally, don't answer calls from numbers you don't recognize. A real person will leave a message or call you back. And don't get taken in by numbers that look familiar. Increasingly, scammers are using a trick called number spoofing to fake a number with the same area code and exchange as your phone number.
Updated on 5/13/2022 with current state of robocalling and new ways to stop telemarketers from getting your number.
[woman screaming into phone via BigStockPhoto]
For the past 20+ years, Techlicious founder Suzanne Kantra has been exploring and writing about the world’s most exciting and important science and technology issues. Prior to Techlicious, Suzanne was the Technology Editor for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and the Senior Technology Editor for Popular Science. Suzanne has been featured on CNN, CBS, and NBC.
A real way to stop them!!! it needs to go viral
From Jerry on November 02, 2018 :: 8:56 am
I am the owner of a Towing Company and in my county my phone number is registered as an “emergency contact towing number” for the county we are in!
With that being said I in the past have had that number “blown up” with robo sales calls despite asking them to remove this number as it is used in this county for emergency calls!
Our local Paramedic’s and Firefighters are having the same problem!
Telemarketers have actually tied up us emergency responders and at times have actually slowed response in emergency situations in our towing industry because we “have to answer every call” because it could be someone stranded!!!!
Me and some friends, a paramedic, and another tow man plagued by this epidemic think-tanked and DISCOVERED THEIR AQUILLES HEEL!!!....
When you call a diconnected number you hear 3 tones then a ladies voice saying you’ve reached a “DISCONNECTED NUMBER” those 3 tones are there for any computer that calls (not for calls from an actual person!!!) those 3 tones tell that ROBO-DIALER computer TO REMOVE THAT NUMBER…...it is a dis-connected number at the phone company!!!!
Robo’s will only call that number once….then done!!
put those 3 tones on your voicemail message “bee bah beep” (the three tones) this is me…please leave a message after the tone….
here is a you tube site to get these 3 tones!
https://youtu.be/2BVbyCZXc5s
us emergency responders researched this with an actual phone company employee and this is a way that will never be worked around by the robo-dialer companies because this is a thing (three tones message!) that is put on by ALL PHONE COMPANIES to let you know that you have reached a dis-connected number!
The only way robos can get around it is…...to call every dis-connected number…..or hire people to actually MAKE EVERY CALL!!!
That wont happen because hiring…..them…..when their not making money….just annoying robo calls!
PEOPLE THIS SOLUTION NEEDS TO GO VIRAL PLEASE!!!
I run a company and don’t have alot of time to spend on the computer!
Thanks for reading!
Reply
It's a smart idea, though not convinced it still works
From Josh Kirschner on November 02, 2018 :: 3:59 pm
The concept of playing the disconnected tone to telemarketers has been around for some time. There was a product called Telezapper that came out about 15 years ago that does exactly that for landline phones. You can still find them on Amazon (https://amzn.to/2AIJnlT).
For cell phones, the Youmail app (for iOS and Android<) replaces your carrier voicemail with the Youmail voicemail and will play the disconnect tones for identified spam calls.
While this sounds great in theory, I’m not 100% convinced that it will work anymore. First, the cost of making these calls is so low, I don’t know if robocallers care whether numbers are disconnected or not. And if the robocalling industry is highly decentralized, then even if you’re removed from one database, you will still be called by every other roboscammer out there. That said, it may be worth giving Telezapper or Youmail a try and see how it goes.
Reply
YUP! It Works!
From Amanda on May 20, 2019 :: 4:47 pm
I just recorded the “buh buh beeep” tone a couple of weeks ago onto my voicemail, then stated “you’ve reached me, sorry about the beeps. Just sick and tired of getting robos and telos. If you’re family; leave a message. If you’re friends; leave a message. If you’re telemarketers or robocallers; go to hell. You will not get a response. Thanks! Have a great day!” Typically, on a Monday, I receive 30+ robocalls, telemarketing calls and debt collector calls PER DAY! Every single weekday, there were 30+ missed calls from random numbers, most spoofed, and that was AFTER paying yearly subs fees with 3 different “blocking” apps, NoMoRobo, Hiya and RoboKiller. Before these apps, I received 100+ per day on weekdays while I was trying to work. It doesn’t matter what they advertise though, they DO NOT reliably block spoofed numbers. Therefore, I was still being hounded, even after handing over my hard earned cash.
The Monday after this voicemail was recorded, I received 3 unwanted calls that were not blocked. None the next day, 1 or 2 the next, etc. These have been cut almost 100%, between my voicemail recording and these 3 apps. However, it’s ridiculous to continue to pay money you don’t have, in order to continue making money and not be bothered while you’re trying to live life. I’m cancelling all but RoboKiller. This one is very neat. It records calls that it blocks and has an “auto answer” feature on their side. You can choose from 50 different recordings to waste their time. However, they have a recording with the disconnected beep, and I’ve decided to use that one, as even letting the fake recording answer and pretend to be a real person speaking, keeps your number on their radar, but it seems that the disconnected beeps removes your number. It’s genius!
Reply