Several cell phone applications are available to block unwanted calls, including those from scam artists.
Some of those apps, include Mr. Number and Privacy Star, which users have awarded four stars on Google Play, advertise being able to block telemarketers and block numbers associated with known scams.
Better Business Bureau Regional Director Adam Price said users should read the terms and conditions of the app before downloading them.
“There are several that are free so just downloading it and it trying it out shouldn’t hurt, but again you want to read the terms and conditions to make sure you are not actually providing your information to a third party seller who are going to get more calls than if you had not downloaded the app,” Price said.
John Wallace who gets unwanted calls, sometimes up to five times a day, said he plans to look into the apps for him to stop getting those calls.
“It would be like having a spam folder on Microsoft that somebody directed you to,” Wallace said.
When he gets those calls, he usually tries to get off the phone as quickly as possible.
“First, I tell them I’m simply not interested and haven’t signed up for a service they’re representing or they’re pitching. Second thing, I completely hang up,” Wallace said.
He said he usually has to answer calls from unknown numbers from different areas of the country because he works as a truck driver.
Price advises those who can avoid answering those calls, to do so. He said if people do want to get a hold of you, they will usually leave you a voicemail.
“From a personal standpoint, I don’t have to pick up the phone if I don’t know who it is. If your name doesn’t populate. I’m not answering it,” Price said.
He also said if you do answer an unwanted phone call, and are prompted to dial a number, to refrain from doing it because that can cause for you to get more calls.
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