Tired Of Scam Numbers and Robocalls? Here’s How To Fight Them

Planet Money : #789: Robocall Invasion Image
Planet Money : #789: Robocall Invasion Image

Tired Of Scam Numbers and Robocalls? Here’s How To Fight Them

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It’s happened to us all. Your phone rings. You look down to see who it is, and the screen flashes “UNKNOWN” or maybe it’s a number from Baton Rouge—where you know nobody. Or maybe it’s a phone number suspiciously close to your own number. 

We all get these random scammers and robocalls to our landlines and cell phones, making us wonder how they found us. But if it seems like you’re getting more calls than ever, it’s not just you: a dramatic uptick in robocalls is plaguing consumers, with experts estimating that they will make up nearly half of all calls by mid-2019.

But the good news is that there are ways to protect yourself. An Illinois watchdog group has put together a helpful consumer guide to fighting robocalls.

Morning Shift talks to Jim Chilsen with the consumer group Citizens Utility Board.

LEARN MORE: Guide To Fighting Robocalls (Citizens Utility Board)