Why am I getting so many spam calls?

The dramatic increase in spam calls in 2024 has become a major issue for individuals and businesses. Many people turn to Google, asking, "Why am I receiving so many spam calls?" Spam calls, often used as vectors for various cyber threats, have led to significant financial losses, operational disruptions, and reputational damage.

In 2022, victims of vishing (voice phishing) scams reported median losses of $1,400, culminating in a total loss of $1.2 billion.

A study revealed that 31% of organizations experienced network outages or downtime due to cyber incidents, with 28% facing customer service disruptions, and 27% suffering business shutdowns, often linked to breaches initiated through spam calls.

In 2020, Singtel, a major Singaporean telecommunications company, suffered a data breach exposing personal data of 750 mobile subscribers due to a technical issue, leading to significant reputational harm and a fine of 9,000 Singapore dollars.

These examples underscore the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures to mitigate the multifaceted risks associated with spam calls.

Spammers can easily target people because of the abundance of personal data available. You can obtain this data from data breaches, the dark web, and social media. Scammers can hide their identities by using caller ID spoofing, making it difficult to trace their calls.

This blog post aims to reveal the reasons behind this upsurge and discuss the various types of spam calls. Also, offers actionable strategies to protect individuals and organizations from these intrusive calls.

Who's Calling? Spam & Scams call?

Getting so many spam calls has diverse reasons, each with its own agenda. These calls, which can be from spam or scam artists, are not just annoying; they pose real risks.

Differentiating Between Spam and Scam Calls

Spam calls usually come from companies using automatic dialing to push sales or marketing messages. These calls are often random and unsolicited.

On the other hand, scam calls are more dangerous. Scammers often pretend to be from a known organization or authority. They aim to trick people into giving away personal information or money.

The Role of Technology in Spam Calls

Technology has made it easier for these callers to hide their identity and location using tools like VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). It makes it hard to find where the call comes from, giving scammers a sense of security to continue their deceitful activities.

Why am I suddenly getting spam calls in 2024?

The sudden surge in spam calls in recent years is due to several factors listed below:

• AI Role Spam Calls: Scammers' access to advanced technology has made spam calls more prevalent. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) makes these calls cheaper and harder to trace.
• Data Broker Activities: Data brokers actively sell personal information. In the U.S. alone, hundreds of data brokers increase the likelihood of your number being sold.
• Data Breaches: In 2022, data breaches impacted 166 million people, with companies like Twitter, Uber, and WhatsApp being compromised. Such breaches often lead to phone numbers falling into the hands of scammers.
• Active Number Identification: If you've ever responded to a spam call, your number is more likely to be targeted. In 2022, over 50 billion robocalls and spam calls were made in the U.S., and responding to even one can mark your number as 'active.'
• Dark Web Marketplaces: The Dark Web is rife with illegal trade of personal data, including phone numbers. Once your number is on the Dark Web, it's nearly impossible to remove.
• Public Exposure of Phone Numbers: With the rise of social media and online profiles, many inadvertently expose their phone numbers, making them easy targets for scammers.

These factors, combined with the sheer volume of spam calls (over 50 billion in a single year), contribute significantly to the increasing frequency of these unwanted calls.

How do I stop regular spam calls?

Reducing spam calls requires a multifaceted approach. Here are some effective strategies:

• Community Phone’s Spam Call Blocking: Services like Robocall Blocking and Complete Scam Blocking filter unwanted calls effectively.
• Carrier-Specific Services: Check for spam-blocking features offered by your phone carrier, such as Verizon's "Call Filter," AT&T's "Call Protect," or T-Mobile's "Scam Shield."
• Third-Party Call-Blocking Apps: Apps like Nomorobo, RoboKiller, and Truecaller use databases to identify and block spam calls.
• Phone’s Built-in Features: Use features like Silence Unknown Callers on iPhones and block unknown Callers on Android phones to prevent spam calls​​.
• National Do Not Call Registry for US: Register your number at https://www.donotcall.gov/ to reduce telemarketing calls. This won't stop all spam, but it can decrease its frequency.
• Use the “60 Star Code”: Activate this feature by dialing *60 on your phone. It lets you block specific numbers, such as recent spam callers. Press #01# to block the last number that called you, or dial #, the unwanted number with the area code, and # again to block a specific number.
• Reporting Scammers: Regularly report scam numbers to organizations like the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission.
• Avoid Calling Back Spam Numbers: Calling back can lead to charges and profits for the scammer.
• Don't Answer Unknown Calls: Ignoring calls from unknown numbers can deter scammers over time.
• Stay Informed About Scammer Tactics: Knowing that spam calls aim to steal personal information can help you stay vigilant.
• Watch Out for Possible Hacking: Be careful of calls pretending to be from trusted companies, they might be hacking attempts.

See a YouTube video that helps you block spam calls on Android and iPhone.

Also, look at this video and learn how to block spam calls.

How to Block Spam Calls in Your Organization

In a corporate setting, additional measures can be effective:

• Security Awareness Training Programs: Use security awareness training software that implements behavioral science techniques to create a security culture within the organizations, helping employees understand and report spam calls.
• Voice Phishing Simulator: Conduct simulated voice phishing tests, educating staff on recognizing and handling phone-based phishing attempts and spam calls.
• Advanced Telecommunication Security: Implementing advanced telecommunication security measures such as voice authentication can help filter out fraudulent calls.
• Telephone Provider Spam Call Features: Talk to your phone provider about their services for spam calls.
• Spam Call Blocker Tools: Tools like Avast One and many more spam blocker tools can identify and block unwanted spam calls.
• Regular Audits of Communication Systems: Conducting audits to check for vulnerabilities in the communication system can preemptively stop spam calls from reaching employees.
• Creating a Reporting Mechanism: Establish a system for employees to report spam calls, helping to track and understand the patterns of these calls.

An organization that is implemented voice phishing simulation in their security awareness program avoid falling prey to the disruptive effects of spam calls.

Editor's Note: This blog was updated on December 2, 2024.