Phone calls are not at their best. All a generation, generation Z, much prefers to communicate in writing rather than by voice, and in the rest of the generations, the use of messaging and email applications is also taking its toll. This means that fewer and fewer households have a landline, after a brief rebound from the pandemic.
The vast majority of calls are made via mobile phones., which are currently almost entirely smartphones. This is why many business calls are made to these devices. But the difference from landlines is that they have more control tools. The downside is that we are always available for a call, at least in theory.
[Adiós al spam de WhatsApp: así funciona lo nuevo de la app contra las estafas]
By following certain tips, it is possible, without 100% avoiding SPAM calls, to at least minimize their number and not waste time with them. In addition, there will be no repeated calls from the same number, which is sometimes common and annoying, especially when received at certain times. In Europe, the hours to receive calls are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Fridaybut that doesn’t mean some companies call at uncomfortable times, like after eating.
Blocking numbers
The first thing to do after receiving an unsolicited sales call that we answered, right after hanging up, is to block that number. This way, it will no longer be possible for them to call us again. It is true that there are companies that have many telephone numbers to call, but at least little by little it will be more difficult for them to locate us.
To do this, you need to open Google’s Calls app (although other apps also offer similar services) and tap and hold on the call log, on the number that called. In the menu that appears there is an option called Block or mark as SPAM.
Woman talking on the phone
You can also add a number directly in this app’s settings, which appear by clicking the three vertical dots icon in the upper right corner. There we select Settings then Blocked numbers. You can directly enter the number and click on the key to add them to the list.
SPAM filter
One of Google’s lesser-known features is to include a log of SPAM calls. This registration is done by adding to the blocking lists of the previous function, but it is then accessible to everyone. This way It is possible to benefit from information from all users of the Google Phone application.
To activate this filter you must go to the application Phone, then enter the Settings and select the option Caller ID and SPAM. You must activate the warning functionwhich does not disconnect the call, it only shows that it is SPAM in red, or the lockwhich directly prevents the cell phone from ringing.
Use the Robinson List
Europe has a strategy to minimize sales calls. It’s called the Robinson List and it’s a free service with which you can request that a specific telephone number cannot receive commercial calls. It can be applied to landline and mobile phones.
Of course, the scope is national and therefore does not affect calls from other countries, which is increasingly common. However, there are cases in which companies skip this list, but then they can be charged and fined.
Be careful with the country code
Another way to avoid certain SPAM calls or scam attempts is don’t take those that start with a different country code. The one for Europe is +34 or 0034. If a number begins with the code of another country, it is very likely that it is a spam call.
This precaution should obviously not be applied if we constantly receive calls from phones located in other countries. However, it is nevertheless possible that we already have the figures disclosed, or at least the countries.
File a complaint
In case a company still calls us insistently It is possible to file a complaint with the Spanish Data Protection Agency.. Large companies generally do not get into this type of situation because they know the fines to which they are exposed, but it is still good to know.
To do this, you just need to follow the steps indicated by the company itself. The AEPD explains on its website. Again, this applies to companies operating in Europe, as international companies generally do not care about national regulations.
Finally, in addition to being careful with SPAM calls, we must be careful with calls from scammers who pose as companies that may have a business relationship with us, such as bank, light trader or telecommunications company. We must be very careful about giving out information lightly, especially if they call us with a sense of urgency and rush. Best to call the entity and confirm that the previous call was correct.
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