Telemarketing calls can be a persistent annoyance, disrupting your daily life with unsolicited offers, surveys, and scams. While telemarketers may be relentless, there are effective strategies to stop these calls and reclaim your peace of mind. By understanding your rights and utilizing available tools, you can significantly reduce or even eliminate unwanted telemarketing calls.

Register With the National Do Not Call Registry

One of the most straightforward ways to cut down on telemarketing calls is to register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry. This free service, managed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), prohibits legitimate telemarketers from contacting numbers on the list. The registry blocks sales calls but does not apply to political calls, charitable solicitations, or surveys. It may also not deter illegal robocalls or scam callers. Once you’re registered, allow up to 31 days for the change to take full effect. If telemarketers continue to call, they may be violating federal law, which you can report to the FTC.

Leverage Call-Blocking Technology

Modern technology offers powerful tools to combat unwanted calls. Both phone manufacturers and network carriers provide options to help identify and block telemarketing calls.

• Built-in Phone Features: Most smartphones have features to block specific numbers or silence calls from unknown contacts.
• Carrier Solutions: Major carriers offer spam-blocking services. Many are free or included in your plan.
• Third-Party Apps: Apps like RoboKiller, Hiya, and Nomorobo use databases of known spam numbers to filter out telemarketers automatically. These apps can block calls, identify suspicious ones, and even provide customizable call-blocking settings.

Avoid Engagement With Telemarketers

Engaging with telemarketers, even to ask them to stop calling, can backfire. It signals that your number is active, potentially leading to more calls.

• Don’t Answer: If you don’t recognize the number, let it go to voicemail.
• Hang Up Immediately: If you accidentally answer, do not engage. Simply hang up.
• Ignore Prompts: Do not press buttons to “opt-out” of calls; this often confirms your number is valid and encourages further calls.

Safeguard Your Phone Number

Telemarketers often obtain phone numbers from data brokers, online forms, or loyalty programs. Be cautious about sharing your number, especially online or with unfamiliar businesses. Consider using a secondary or temporary phone number for activities like signing up for services or entering contests.

Stopping telemarketing calls requires a combination of registering your number, using call-blocking tools, and adopting proactive habits to protect your privacy. While completely eliminating telemarketing calls might not be possible, following these steps can drastically reduce them For more info, contact a law firm.