Learn to stop unwanted telemarketing calls in their tracks!
Telemarketing has been around since the 19th century, proving that telemarketers have perfected the art of being persistent and disruptive enough to make a sale.
Unfortunately, these unwanted telemarketing calls have become a persistent annoyance in the modern world. It’s a constant irritation, refusing to stop, no matter how hard you wish they would.
And while we get that telemarketers are just doing their job, the calls can be more than just a pain. They can infringe on your privacy and interrupt your daily life. Now, ignoring them isn’t always the end-all solution. You’ll still hear your phone ringing.
Fortunately for you, there are several effective strategies you can take advantage of to minimize these meddling interruptions. Here are 9 ways to eliminate those unwanted telemarketing calls for good and reclaim your peace of mind.
Try not to give out your number
One bold approach to stopping unwanted telemarketing calls is to be cautious about who you share your phone number with. Only give out your number to trusted sources and consider using alternatives like your email for less important communications.
And be mindful of entering your phone number on online forms, websites or when signing up for various services. Decreasing the number of people and entities with your phone number can lower the likelihood of it ending up on telemarketers’ call sheets.
Hang up IMMEDIATELY!
When you realize you’re on the line with a telemarketer, don’t waste time talking to them… Just hang up! Many telemarketers count on your attention to keep you on the call and potentially gather more information from you.
By hanging up as soon as you realize who you’re talking to, you make it clear that you aren’t interested and don’t plan on wasting your time on this unwanted telemarketing call.
This can prevent any additional attempts from the same caller because they’ll realize they’re unlikely to get through to you.
Pick up, but don’t say anything
Another smart tactic for stopping unwanted telemarketing calls is to answer the call but remain silent. Many telemarketing systems use automated dialing and rely on voice recognition to distinguish if someone has answered.
Staying quiet can confuse the system and cause your call to disconnect. Over time, this approach can decrease the number of calls you get from automated systems because they might flag your number as unresponsive. It’s a passive yet effective way to handle these pesky calls.
Block all anonymous calls
Many telemarketers use anonymous to bypass your phone’s caller ID feature. If you choose to block anonymous callers, you can prevent them from reaching you altogether.
Most smartphones have built-in features or settings that allow you to block calls from any private or unknown numbers. This approach is particularly effective because it stops the unwanted telemarketing calls before they even ring on your end.
The downside to this, though, is that some legitimate callers, like doctors, may also use anonymous numbers, so weigh the pros and cons before allowing this feature to be enabled. You can also call your carrier and ask if they have an anonymous call-blocking service.
Most do, but you might need to contact them to turn it on. And be aware that for some, there’s a small charge associated with anonymous call blocking. This strategy may be worth it, depending on how often you get calls from anonymous numbers.
Turn on “Do Not Disturb” to block non-contacts
This is a rather extreme solution, but it will keep any scammers and telemarketers away. Turn this on to automatically block any number that isn’t in your contacts. When you get an unwanted telemarketing call, it will automatically go to voicemail. Here’s what you must do:
-iPhone: Go to your phone’s settings and tap the “Do Not Disturb” button. Then, choose “Allow Calls From.” You can also open the control center and tap the crescent moon icon to turn on the “Do Not Disturb” feature.
-Android: Open the control center by swiping down and pressing the “Do Not Disturb” button to enable it. Then, hold the button to open the settings and choose “Allow Exceptions” to specify who can call.
Be aware: This can make things tricky if you do any business over the phone. If you regularly get legitimate incoming calls from numbers you don’t have saved, “Do Not Disturb” will block those as well.
Register your number on the FTC’s “Do Not Call Registry”
Legitimate companies won’t cold call you if your number is registered. It’s illegal for companies to contact you with sales pitches if you register your number with the FTC.
To put your landline or cell phone on the national “Do Not Call Registry,” visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website or call and give them your name and number to verify your information. Here’s what you should know, though:
-Once you register, the unwanted telemarketing calls can take up to 31 days to stop. So don’t worry if they continue for that period.
-This will only weed out the sales calls. Charities, political parties, and non-profit organizations can still call you.
-Unfortunately, scammers don’t care about the “Do Not Call Registry.” So you may still get some annoying calls every once in a while. But at least you know they aren’t legitimate companies calling, so hang up!
Simply ask them not to call you
One of the easiest ways to reduce all those unwanted telemarketing calls is to request that they stop calling you directly. When you get a call, tell the telemarketer that you don’t wish to receive any further calls from them.
As we mentioned, according to FTC regulations, honest telemarketing companies are required to honor these requests.
While this method may not eliminate all calls entirely, it can significantly lower the amount you receive from certain companies. It’s a straightforward method that can provide immediate relief, especially from the most relentless callers.
Remember to report telemarketers who DO call even though you’ve registered.
Once you’re on the registry, it’s illegal for companies to cold call you. If you do get an unwanted telemarketing call, report it ASAP. Here’s what you should know:
-Some scammers spoof their phone numbers, so it seems as though they are different numbers each time. If you’re getting scam calls from the same area code over repeatedly, this probably won’t solve the issue.
-Go to the FTC’s website and click the “Report it to the FTC” button on the window on your screen. Enter the phone number that called you, along with the time and subject of the call.
-If putting your number on the “Do Not Call Registry” wasn’t enough to convince them not to call you, finding out that you’re reporting their number might inspire them to stop!
Take advantage of blocking apps
Multiple apps on your phone specialize in blocking unwanted telemarketing calls. Apps like Truecaller use community reports and cutting-edge algorithms to identify and stop unwanted calls.
Installing one or more of these apps can give you real-time protection and updates, adjusting to new telemarketing numbers and tactics as they arise.
And the best part is that these apps usually come with additional features like managing your block list more efficiently and identifying unknown callers.
How have you handled unwanted telemarketing calls in the past? Please feel free to share your thoughts with our readers in the comments section below.
Meanwhile, if you found this article informative, we highly recommend you also read: 7 Genius Ways to Turn Trash Into Cash
