Tuesday, December 31, 2024
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Are you getting calls labeled 'spam risk'? Here's what that means and some tips to stop them
Tamia Fowlkes
For the past two months, 91-year-old South Milwaukee resident Dorothy Wiza's phone has been bombarded with spam calls.
Starting in November, while Wiza ate meals at her kitchen table or sorted through the mail, her Panasonic wall phone rang and rang while flashing the message "Spam Risk" across the caller ID line.
At first, Wiza said she thought "Spam Risk" was the name of a company trying to reach her.
"They were calling up to five times a day and then seven times by Christmas," she said.
Wiza asked Public Investigator for a solution to the ongoing problem.
"This goes on every single day. I don't know how this can be stopped," Wiza said. "I can't take this anymore."
Like Wiza, many consumers field dozens of scam calls and robocalls every day. Americans receive an average of 4 billion robocalls per year, according an October report by the Federal Communications Commission Robocall Response team.
Scam calls are the federal agency's top consumer complaint.
"The FCC estimates the cost of these calls to consumers is at least $3 billion per year from lost time alone," Babette Boliek, the former FCC chief economist, wrote in a 2019 report.
Though scam calls can sometimes be hard to avoid, experts have shared a variety of tips to keep in mind.
How do I know if I am receiving a scam call?
The Federal Trade Commission's Office of the Inspector General details that scammers often employ four common tactics to keep people on a call.
- They pretend to be from prominent organizations that people are familiar with
- They state that there is a problem or emergency that puts you or a family member at physical or financial risk
- They pressure you to share personal information and threaten you with things like hacking, lawsuits or arrest
- They demand that you send them money through wire companies, cryptocurrency, payment apps or gift cards
How can I block unwanted spam calls or robocalls?
According to the Federal Trade Commission, the best way to block and prevent unwanted phone calls is through call blocking and call labeling.
Many types of call blocking software and devices are available for both cellphones and landlines to reduce the number of scam calls and robocalls you receive.
Meanwhile, many cellular devices are equipped with software or devices that scan for illegal robocalls or scam calls and alert you if an incoming call is coming from a suspicious number. This is known as call labeling.
What does it mean if I get a call that is labeled 'spam risk' or 'spam likely'?
Many phone providers have embedded software into cellular devices that scan for potential scam calls. These calls might appear on your caller ID with a label of "spam risk" or "spam likely."
It is up to you to decide whether or not to pick up the call. If you answer and the call appears to be a scam or robocall, you can report it to the FCC or Federal Trade Commission.
If certain phone numbers are improperly identified as spam calls, users can notify their phone provider for correction.
How can I block scam calls on my cellphone?
A variety of scam call blocking apps are available in mobile device app stores like the Apple Store, Google Play or the Galaxy Store. Some apps are free, while others charge fees for additional features. The Federal Trade Commission advises users to read the reviews on each app and choose which app best serves their needs.
Cellular providers like T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon and Spectrum also usually provide anti-scam services such as "Scam Shield" or "Spectrum Call Guard," which provide additional scam blocking and reporting features if you sign up for them.
If you report a suspicious caller on these platforms, the cellular companies can prevent those numbers from contacting other people in the future.
From the archives:Text message scams are on the rise in Wisconsin
How can I block spam calls on a traditional landline?
If you have a home phone or landline, call blocking devices can be attached to your phone. The systems are commonly sold at stores like Target, Walmart, Best Buy and other electronics retailers.
According to the FTC, these devices use a database of known scam numbers to track and block scam calls, but also allow users to add numbers to the device. Other call blocking devices require users to create their own list of numbers to block.
Call blocking devices can have a variety of features, including flashing a blinking light when receiving calls from a blocked or unwanted number, connecting scam callers to a recording, sending calls to voicemail or providing do-not-disturb hours that only allow certain numbers to get through.
Why do so many spam calls come from local area codes?
This is because of something called caller ID spoofing.
Caller ID spoofing is when a person falsifies the information displayed on caller ID to disguise their identity. This might be through presenting themselves as a prominent company or government agency, or by acquiring a number with a local area code.
These callers might attempt to steal money or valuable information by falsely presenting themselves on a call.
What is the government doing about scam calls?
Since 2021, the FCC has worked to implement laws that require all phone companies to implement robocall defense software for consumers.
“While there is no single cure-all when it comes to robocalls, having this technology in our networks is real progress and we will continue to push forward with this and every other tool we have to fight these junk calls," said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in a June 2023 statement.
As of October, more than 4,000 companies have completed installation of the required robocall-fighting standards.
U.S. PIRG Education Fund, a consumer protection advocacy group, reported that scam robocalls and illegal telemarketing calls have dropped by 17% since 2021 due to the new FCC laws. However, consumers have since noticed an increase in robotexts, which are not monitored by the system.
Other resources to avoid scam calls
- If you receive a scam call, file a complaint with the FCC Consumer Complaint Center
- You can also report an unwanted call by completing a form at DoNotCall.gov
- Register your telephone numbers in the National Do Not Call Registry
- File complaints with the FCC by going to fcc.gov/complaints
Tamia Fowlkes is a Public Investigator reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at tfowlkes@gannett.com.
About Public Investigator
Government corruption. Corporate wrongdoing. Consumer complaints. Medical scams. Public Investigator is a new initiative of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and its sister newsrooms across Wisconsin. Our team wants to hear your tips, chase the leads and uncover the truth. We'll investigate anywhere in Wisconsin. Send your tips to watchdog@journalsentinel.com or call 414-319-9061. You can also submit tips at jsonline.com/tips.
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