We all get spam calls from time to time, and it can be tempting just to ignore them. However, according to a recent study, spam calls are becoming more and more common, and they’re not just a nuisance. They can also be a serious security risk.
According to Purdue University, nearly 4.5 billion spam calls were made in the United States in 2019. That’s about 14 percent of all calls made in the country. And it’s not just the US that’s being affected. Spam calls are a global problem, and they’re only getting worse.
So what exactly are spam calls? Spam callers are typically trying to sell you something, but they can also be trying to scam you. They may try to get you to sign up for a free trial of a product or service or try to trick you into giving them your personal information. Either way, spam calls are annoying and can be costly if you’re not careful.
Is Having The Spam Calls A Warning Sign?
If you’re wondering whether or not you should worry about spam calls, the answer is yes.
Here’s why:
1. Spam Calls Are Becoming More And More common
You’re not alone if you’ve been getting more spam calls lately. According to a recent report, spam calls have increased by 60% over the past year. And it’s not just annoying telemarketers that are to blame.
Scammers are also increasingly using automated tools to make hundreds or even thousands of calls at once. The goal is to trick people into giving up personal information or money. Fortunately, you can take steps to protect yourself from spam calls.
First, be suspicious of any unsolicited callers, even if they claim to be from a legitimate organization. Hang up if the caller asks for personal information or money. You can also sign up for call blocker services that help to screen and block unwanted calls. Finally, you can do a phone lookup if a particularly vile spam call comes through.
2. Spam Calls Are A Global Problem
Just about everyone has received a spam call at some point. Whether it’s a robocall selling insurance or a scammer pretending to be from the IRS, these unwanted calls are a nuisance.
But they’re also a serious problem. In 2019, an estimated 26.3 billion spam calls were made globally, and that number is expected to increase to 54.6 billion by 2025. That’s over 150 spam calls for every person on the planet.
Not only are these calls bothersome, but they can also be costly. Many people pay for services they don’t need or unwittingly give away their personal information. And in some cases, scammers have been able to trick people into transferring money directly into their accounts.
Given the widespread nature of this problem, it’s clear that something needs to be done to stop spam calls. But until there’s a major crackdown on this illicit activity, everyone will need to be vigilant in order to avoid becoming a victim of fraud.
3. Spam Callers Can Be Very Convincing
Just about everyone has received a spam call at some point. Whether it’s a robocall selling insurance or a scammer pretending to be from the IRS, these unwanted calls are a nuisance. But they’re also a serious problem. In 2019, an estimated 26.3 billion spam calls were made globally, and that number is expected to increase to 54.6 billion by 2025.
That’s over 150 spam calls for every person on the planet. Not only are these calls bothersome, but they can also be costly. Many people pay for services they don’t need or unwittingly give away their personal information. And in some cases, scammers have been able to trick people into transferring money directly into their accounts.
Given the widespread nature of this problem, it’s clear that something needs to be done to stop spam calls. But until there’s a major crackdown on this illicit activity, everyone will need to be vigilant in order to avoid becoming a victim of fraud.
You can also sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry, which will stop most telemarketers from calling your number. However, this may not protect you from the most heinous of scammers. They will not necessarily follow the law as it is written.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a number of reasons why you should worry about spam calls. These calls are becoming more and more common, and they’re a global problem.
Scammers are getting more sophisticated, and they can be very convincing. To protect yourself, you should be suspicious of any unsolicited calls and hang up if the caller asks for personal information or money. You can also sign up for call blocker services and the National Do Not Call Registry.
But even with these precautions, you’ll need to be vigilant in order to avoid becoming a victim of fraud.
Additionals
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