How to Stop Spam Calls in Maryland
Spam calls and texts are out of control in every state of the union, and in 2023, Maryland got more than its share. Maryland ranked #8 in the country for Do Not Call complaints per 100,000 residents, with 43,031 complaints for the year.
This is a nuisance that requires us to work together to stop, and it can be more than just an inconvenience. Unwanted calls and texts can expose you to scams. The progress in technology has empowered fraudsters to automate illegal robocalls from any location cheaply and quickly and steal sensitive data from their victims.
But you don’t have to fall victim to scammers or put up with spam calls and texts. This article is here to help — it will guide you through adding your phone numbers to the National Do Not Call Registry, show you how to block spam and protect your data, and explain how you can report spammers to the authorities.
How to Block and Report Spam Calls and Texts at a State Level
Maryland is one of the many states that has created its own laws and regulations to help stop spam calls and texts, including a recent act that doesn’t go into effect until 2024. Here are the regulations that Maryland has put in place:
- Maryland Public Utilities Code Section 8-204: Prohibits unsolicited telephone solicitations to residential or mobile phones to anyone who has given notice to the Public Service Commission, requires telemarketers to identify themselves promptly, and prohibits blocking caller ID.
- Stop the Spam Calls Act of 2023: This law expands on Section 8-204 and goes into effect on January 1, 2024. It requires telemarketers to obtain prior express written consent from called parties before making automated calls, prohibits spoofing caller ID, limits the number of calls or texts a telemarketer can make to a person in a 24-hour period to three, and gives consumers the right to sue telemarketers who violate the law.
If you live in Maryland and have been contacted by telemarketers who have violated one of these laws, you can file a complaint with the Maryland Attorney General by registering at this site and then filling out the online complaint form. You can also download this form, complete it, and mail it to one of the addresses at the bottom of the 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 Marylanders.