Have you ever answered a call from an unknown number and wondered if it was a scam or a robocall? You’re not alone. In fact, according to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans received over 58 billion robocalls in 2021.
That’s a lot of unwanted calls! So, what can you do to avoid them? One option is to simply not answer calls from unknown numbers. But what if it’s an important call?
That’s where call screening services come in. These services allow you to screen calls before you answer them so that you can avoid unwanted calls.
In this article, we’ll discuss how call screening services work and how you can use them to avoid robocalls. We’ll also provide some tips on how to spot a robocall so that you can avoid them even without a call screening service. 😊
How Do Call Screening Services Work?
Call screening services work by intercepting calls before they reach your phone. The service will then play a message to the caller and ask them to identify themselves. If the caller is a robocall, they will likely hang up at this point. If the caller is a legitimate caller, they will identify themselves and the service will connect you with them.
There are a variety of different call screening services available. Some of the most popular include:
- AT&T Call Protect
- Google Phone app
- HiYa
- RoboKiller
How to Use a Call Screening Service
Using a call screening service is easy. Simply download the app to your phone and enable the service. The service will then automatically screen all calls before they reach your phone.
If you receive a call from an unknown number, the service will play a message to the caller and ask them to identify themselves. If the caller is a robocall, they will likely hang up at this point. If the caller is a legitimate caller, they will identify themselves and the service will connect you with them.
How to Spot a Robocall
Even without a call screening service, there are some things you can do to spot a robocall:
- The number is not familiar. If you don’t recognize the number that’s calling you, it’s likely a robocall.
- The caller ID is spoofed. Robocallers often spoof their caller ID so that it looks like they’re calling from a local number. However, if you look closely, you may be able to spot some red flags, such as a number that is one digit off from a legitimate number.
- The caller leaves a voicemail that is clearly automated. Robocallers often leave voicemails that are clearly automated. The voicemail may sound like a recording or it may be a computer-generated voice.
Conclusion
Call screening services can be a great way to avoid robocalls. However, even without a call screening service, there are some things you can do to spot a robocall. By following these tips, you can avoid unwanted calls and protect your privacy.😊🎉
Check Out Our Other Articles on Call Screening Services:
- How to Choose the Best Call Screening Service for You
- How to Use Call Screening Services to Avoid Robocalls
- The Best Call Screening Services for Business
FAQ about How to Call a Number Unknown
How can I hide my phone number when calling?
- Use a burner phone: Purchase a prepaid phone that you can use temporarily to make anonymous calls.
- *Dial 67 before the number: Enter *67 before the phone number you want to call to block your caller ID.
- Use a calling app: Download an app like Burner or Hushed that allows you to make calls with a temporary or private number.
How can I find out who called me from an unknown number?
- Use a reverse phone lookup service: Type the unknown number into a reverse phone lookup website or app to see if it’s associated with a name or address.
- Contact your phone carrier: Your carrier may be able to provide you with information about the caller, such as the time and date of the call.
- Use a caller ID app: Certain apps can identify unknown callers by matching them against databases of known numbers.
How can I block unknown callers?
- Use your phone’s built-in blocking feature: Most smartphones have a built-in feature that allows you to block specific numbers or all unknown callers.
- Download a call blocking app: There are various apps available that specialize in blocking spam and unknown callers.
- Contact your phone carrier: Your carrier may offer a call blocking service that you can subscribe to.
How can I call a number that’s not in my contacts?
- Dial the number directly: Enter the full phone number, including the area code, into your phone’s dialer.
- Use a "dial by name" service: Some smartphones offer a feature that allows you to dial a number by speaking the person’s name if it’s stored in your contacts.
- Use a third-party app: Download an app like Truecaller or Dialer+ that allows you to search for and call numbers that are not in your contacts.
How can I call an international number?
- Add the country code: Prefix the phone number with the country code of the country you’re calling.
- Use a "plus" sign: Instead of the country code, you can also use a plus sign (+) followed by the full international number.
- Contact your phone carrier: Some carriers offer special international calling plans or discounts.
How can I make a conference call?
- Use your phone’s built-in conference calling feature: Most smartphones have a feature that allows you to add multiple callers to a single call.
- Use a third-party app: Download an app like Google Meet or Zoom that allows you to host virtual meetings and conference calls.
- Contact your phone carrier: Your carrier may offer a conference calling service that you can subscribe to.
How can I call a toll-free number?
- Dial the number as is: Toll-free numbers are typically prefixed with 800, 888, or 855. Simply dial the full number without adding any additional codes.
- Use a toll-free calling app: Some apps allow you to make calls to toll-free numbers without incurring any charges.
- Contact your phone carrier: Some carriers offer unlimited calling to toll-free numbers as part of their service plans.
How can I call a voicemail?
- Dial your own phone number: Calling your own phone number will usually redirect you to your voicemail.
- Dial the voicemail access code: Your voicemail access code is typically *86 or *98.
- Check your phone’s settings: Some phones have a dedicated voicemail button or app.
How can I call a hospital or other medical facility?
- Dial the hospital’s main number: The main number is usually listed on the hospital’s website or in the directory.
- Use the operator: Ask the operator to connect you to the department or extension you need.
- Use a hospital directory app: Some hospitals have apps that allow you to search for and contact departments and staff.
