Half of All Calls Will Soon Be Robocalls: What You Need to Know

Today, we’re sharing an unusual article—a translation about illegal robocalls in the United States. Throughout history, there have always been people who use technology not for good, but to scam unsuspecting citizens. Modern telecommunications are no exception: spam and outright scams can reach us via SMS, email, or phone. Phones have become an even bigger target, thanks to robocalls—automated calls originally designed as a legitimate way to inform people or make additional sales. Unfortunately, scammers love them. While legitimate robocalls happen with consent and use legally obtained phone numbers, illegal robocalls at best annoy people and at worst steal data and money.

We created Smartcalls.io, Google is working on Google Duplex, and so on—high-tech tools are bringing us closer to a cyberpunk future at lightning speed. Soon, we may not even know if we’re talking to a human or a robot. This brings both great opportunities and equally big problems. Our company is firmly against any illegal activity and believes technology should help both businesses and customers on a fair basis. Unfortunately, not everyone shares these values. Below, you’ll learn about a record-breaking fine for illegal robocalls, robocall statistics in the U.S., tools to fight back, and, of course, tips on how to protect yourself. Because forewarned is forearmed.

The Robocall Epidemic: Don’t Answer?

The IRS is threatening to arrest you for tax evasion. A debt collector demands immediate payment. A hotel chain offers you a free vacation. Your electricity is about to be shut off for non-payment. Your bank is lowering your credit card rate or warning you about a security breach. A doctor wants to sell you discounted back pain pills.

In the Middle Ages, humanity faced the plague. Today, we’re dealing with an epidemic of robocalls.

Every day, all day, we’re bombarded by calls from scammers trying to steal our money and personal data. Even if you’re smart enough not to fall for schemes like:

• “Restore your credit card”
• “Last chance to avoid court—talk to a federal agent and get your case number”
• “Get a free medical alert system”—from a Los Angeles number
• and so on

—the voice of a robot has already invaded your personal space.

Robocall Statistics

The number of unwanted robocalls Americans receive has grown to 4 billion per month—about 1,543 calls per second. The percentage of scam calls jumped from 4% in 2016 to 29% in 2018; First Orion, a company developing call-blocking technology, predicts this will rise to 45% next year.

“Scammers keep finding new ways to invade our privacy,” says Charles Morgan, data scientist and CEO of the company whose website says: “We know it’s a heroic mission to teach people to answer their phones again.”

Robocalling is big, profitable business. Using technology for bad purposes is also lucrative: Americans are scammed out of $9.5 billion every year, according to Truecaller. Seniors, students, small business owners, and immigrants are most at risk.

One recent scam targeted Chinese communities in the U.S., netting $3 million, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Mandarin-speaking scammers posed as Chinese consulate staff, requesting personal data or credit card numbers to “resolve legal issues.”

After hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Florence, fake charities ramped up calls, soliciting donations for hurricane victims.

In South Florida, where scams multiply like rabbits, robocall volume is among the highest in the country. The 305 and 954 area codes together ranked 5th among the 20 largest U.S. cities for robocalls in August. Scammers say that if a potential victim is born every minute, in South Florida the number is even higher—this state is a magnet for people looking to get rich quick. If you live here, you probably get at least two robocalls a day.

Record-Breaking Fine

“Do you know Abramovich?”
“The one who lives across from the prison?”
“Yeah, but now he lives across from his own house.” (joke)

Adrian Abramovich, a Miami businessman, was fined a record $120 million by the Federal Communications Commission, which called his actions “one of the largest illegal robocall campaigns we’ve ever investigated.” Abramovich made over 100 million calls in the last three months of 2016—about 46,000 calls per hour. He spoofed caller IDs to appear as Marriott, Expedia, Hilton, and TripAdvisor, luring people into buying “exclusive” travel deals. Victims heard an automated “press 1” message; if they did, they were transferred to operators at a Mexican call center, which paid Abramovich for the traffic.

This activity also disrupted a medical delivery company’s urgent shipments. “Allegedly, Abramovich could have delayed life-saving medical care, which is a matter of life and death,” said Ajit Pai, FCC Chairman.

Government Actions

The explosive growth of robocalls is driven by technology. “Robotexts” are also on the rise. If phones use the Internet, scammers can make thousands of untraceable calls for pennies. “Even if only a small percentage of people fall for it, scammers still profit,” says the CEO of YouMail.

Consumer advocates worry about a new wave of unblockable calls if the FCC follows a court decision overturning rules set by the previous U.S. administration. Lawmakers have proposed bills (HANGUP Act, ROBOCOP Act) and other measures, but the banking and credit industries oppose them. Not surprising, since most robocalls come from banks, debt collectors, and scammers posing as insurers or lenders.

The U.S. has a Do Not Call Registry with 230 million numbers; last year, it grew by 4.5 million. The registry was meant to allow only legitimate telemarketing, but scammers ignore it. They’re always one step ahead, changing names and numbers (physically or virtually moving abroad, for example). This way, they spoof real numbers—so you think you’re getting a local call, increasing the chance you’ll answer. They also use threats like, “Local authorities will arrest you because you’re charged with four offenses.” Scammers can even tell if your number is active (even if you don’t answer) and then sell it to their “colleagues.”

How to Protect Yourself

• Want to avoid scams? Don’t answer suspicious calls. If you do answer and hear a recorded message, hang up immediately. Don’t press any buttons or say anything.
• Never provide personal or financial information, and don’t agree to send money.
• Be wary of offers that sound too good to be true—they always are with scammers.
• If someone asks, “Can you hear me?” don’t say “yes”—they can record your response and use it against you.
• It might be tempting to mess with a scammer and pretend to fall for it, then suddenly expose them, but it’s better not to engage.
• Beware of calls from “Apple” or “Windows” support asking you to download software—it’s likely malware.
• If you’re told about suspicious activity on your credit card, call the official number on your card to verify.
• Don’t fall for “free” gifts that ask you to press 1 for details—the only detail is that you’ve been scammed.
• Fake IRS calls are easy to spot: the IRS never calls citizens with threats of jail for unpaid taxes.
• Any mention of Nigeria? Hang up.

In Conclusion

The robocall and telemarketing industries have spawned a counter-industry of call-blocking and tracking. There are many call-blocking apps—like RoboKiller, which answers, connects to the operator, and plays a recorded message (“Gotcha!”); or Nomorobo, which intercepts calls. There are also spam number lists you can check or add to. Phone carriers are also working to identify real numbers and flag fakes.

“We’ve already blocked over 4 billion calls on our network,” says Kelly Starling, AT&T spokesperson in South Florida. “We’ve learned to identify call sources, block them, and give our customers tools to block calls.”

Americans (and probably most people worldwide) react to phones like Pavlov’s dogs—so it was inevitable that scammers would take advantage. Maybe the robocall epidemic is a good reason to just… turn off your phone.