How to Stop Spam Calls in Kentucky
Unwanted calls have always been a nuisance, but automated dialers have made the problem much worse. In 2023, Kentucky residents filed a total of 23,846 Do Not Call complaints with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Robocalls are annoying, but some of these spam calls and texts can be a risk to your privacy and security. Scammers often use the same telemarketing techniques to pass themselves off as legitimate businesses to commit fraud and steal identities. Both the federal and state government have programs and regulations in place to stop spam texts and calls, but it is up to the residents of Kentucky to help them in their efforts and protect themselves from fraud.
This guide is meant to help you with that effort. It will show you how to add your phone number to the Do Not Call Registry, block spam calls and texts, and protect your personal data from theft. If you receive spam texts and calls, it will show you how to report them to the authorities.
How to Block and Report Spam Calls and Texts at a State Level
Because of the epidemic of spam calls and texts, many states have seen the need to create their own programs and enact regulations to help bolster the protections already put in place by the federal government. In Kentucky, the regulations covering spam calls and texts can be found in Kentucky Statutes 367.461 to 367.469. These regulations:
- Prohibit using automated calling equipment to conduct polls, solicit information, or advertise goods or services without consent.
- Require recorded messages to state the name and number of the caller within 25 seconds.
- Prohibit calling randomly dialed, sequentially dialed, or unlisted numbers.
- Restrict calls to between 8 am and 9 pm.
- Allow citizens to sue violators.
Kentucky’s No Call List is combined with the National Do Not Call Registry, so the state of Kentucky recommends filing Do Not Call complaints with the FTC when you receive unwanted telemarketing calls. If you suspect that you have been contacted by a scammer attempting to steal your money or personal information, you should report the incident to the Kentucky Attorney General at 1-888-432-9257 or file a complaint online with this form.
How to Block and Report Spam Calls and Texts at a National Level
You can also fight unwanted calls at the national level. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the agency responsible for governing telemarketing practices in the United States. The FCC has implemented rules and regulations aimed at reducing unwanted calls and texts, including:
Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA): Requires consent from consumers before they are robocalled, an automated opt-out process, and no longer allows telemarketers to use an established business relationship to avoid getting consent.
Truth in Caller ID Act (TICIDA): Prohibits callers from spoofing their caller ID with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or steal.
The National Do Not Call Registry is the most well-known national program for reducing unwanted calls. It allows consumers to register their phone numbers and opt out of telemarketing calls from most companies. It’s important to note, however, that the Do Not Call Registry does not apply to all types of calls, including:
- Political calls
- Calls from non-profits or charities
- Calls from legitimate survey organizations
- Calls from debt collectors
Calls from companies you do business with or have sought to do business with within the last 18 months
Registering your phone number with the Do Not Call Registry is free. You can do this at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236). If you register at the website, you will be sent an email with a link you will need to click within 72 hours to complete registration. Telemarketers covered by the registry must stop calling you within thirty days after you register. Your phone number will remain on the registry permanently. Removing a number requires calling 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to remove, and your number will be removed by the next day.
If you get a call that is clearly a scam, the FCC recommends filing a complaint with them and providing them with the phone numbers and other details you have about the calls. In addition to the Do Not Call Registry and reporting the calls to the FCC, the FCC provides several resources for consumers looking to block and report spam calls and texts.
Everyday Tips to Reduce Spam Calls and Texts
Spam calls and texts are not only annoying, but they can also be a security risk. To help reduce the number of unwanted calls and texts you receive, we recommend taking the following steps:
Be very careful where and with whom you share your cell phone number: Be cautious when providing your phone number online or in person, especially when dealing with unfamiliar companies or individuals. Remember that some companies may share or sell your phone number to third-party marketers.
Do not respond to texts from questionable sources: If you receive a text from an unknown sender or a number you don’t recognize, don’t respond. This could confirm that your number is active to the spammer, leading to more unwanted messages.
Do not click on any links in text spam: Many spam messages contain links that could lead to malicious websites or install malware on your phone. If you’re not sure whether a link is safe, don’t click on it.
Do not give out personal information via call or text if you do not know the recipient: Scammers may pose as legitimate companies or organizations to trick you into giving them personal information. Be suspicious of unsolicited calls or texts asking for sensitive information.
Check with your mobile service provider about options to block text messages from specific numbers: Many service providers offer features to block or filter incoming text messages from certain numbers or keywords. This can be an effective way to reduce the number of unwanted messages you receive.
Install a call-blocking app on your phone: Many Android and iOS apps will help you block spam calls and texts. A lot offer basic features for free and premium call-blocking features with a subscription.
Consider getting a virtual phone number: You can use a secondary number for online forms, social media, or anywhere spammers could find it and prevent spam on your primary phone number
Spam calls and texts can pose a significant threat to your privacy and security. While it may be impossible to stop spam calls completely, we’ve covered several steps you can take to minimize the amount of these calls. Working together can create a safer and more secure digital environment for all Kentuckians.