(KWES) - We get them all the time, calls claiming you've got a free trip to Cancun or there's money you owe to the IRS. Sound familiar?
Chances are it's most likely a robocall. They seem to be getting worse this year, so much so that lawmakers are asking the FCC to crack down on these callers.
There have been 16 billion robocalls calls made just in 2018. That's about 1,300 calls every second. But why is this happening?
There's more telemarketers around the world who use technology and systems that are easy to install that don't cost them anything.
You may see a telephone number that may look similar to yours or it shows the same area code. But just because it says area code 432, it doesn't necessarily mean it's a local caller. So what can you do?
Here's some tips you should keep in mind the next time you see your phone ring.
Signing up for the Do Not Call Registry is one method, but it doesn't exactly stop all the illegal businesses from ringing you up.
There are also apps that are designed to block those unwanted calls like Robokiller. The app intercepts the calls and keeps them on the line with a prerecorded message that wastes their time and money so the scammers will go somewhere else.
One mistake people make is when they get a call, they say, "Hello?" It's very important you don't say anything, don't push any buttons and don't call back. If you do, that basically tells them you are a real person and they're likely to call you back.
So when you notice that annoying call, either let it go to voicemail, or if you need to answer it, don't say anything. Robocalls will typically hang up after three seconds or if it's someone who is meaning to call you, they'll leave a voicemail. Make sure you block the number after they call.
U.S. senators are calling for the FCC to set protections against those unwanted calls. The agency has set fines against two telemarketers for illegal caller ID spoofing, totaling over $200 million dollars in fines. The FCC says you can file a complaint with their Consumer Complaint Center. The data they collect can track the trends and check the enforcement investigations.
