How to Stop Spam Calls in California

In 2022, Californians reported a staggering 17,810 unwanted calls to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This statistic places California at the top of the states reporting unwanted calls. Spam calls and texts have become a major problem in California, with spammers attempting to steal personal information by tricking residents into providing personal information through calls and texts. Despite widespread enforcement efforts by government regulators and state officials, the problem of spam calls and texts remains a significant issue.

This resource details how Californians can reduce the number of spam calls and texts they receive and provide spam call information on how to block/report spam callers at both state and national levels. By taking proactive steps to protect personal information and reporting suspicious activity, we can all work together to combat the issue of spam calls and texts in California.

How to Block and Report Spam Calls and Texts at a State Level

California has implemented laws and regulations aimed at reducing spam, including:

You can also report scams directly to the state Attorney General’s office. This can be done with this online complaint form or by calling the Attorney General’s Whistleblower Hotline at 1-800-952-5225. This will alert law enforcement to potential scams or other illegal activities. (California did have its own Do Not Call Registry, which has since merged with the National Do Not Call Registry.)

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 must click within 72 hours to complete registration. Telemarketers covered by the registry must stop calling you within thirty days of registering. 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
  • Do not respond to texts from questionable sources
  • Do not click on any links in text spam
  • Do not give out personal information via call or text if you do not know the recipient
  • Check with your mobile service provider about options to block text messages from specific numbers
  • Install a call-blocking app on your phone
  • Consider getting a virtual phone number

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