The art of avoiding the most insistent sellers and scammers
Ah, the unwanted calls. Those wonderful reminders that your phone number has been sold, resold, and probably auctioned off in a digital vault. Most are simply salespeople with an unwavering faith that, on the tenth call, you will change your mind about that insurance you never applied for. But, how charming! Others come from creative scammers who, with the tenderness of a wolf in granny’s clothing, just want to “verify” your bank account details. Customer service of dubious origin, without a doubt.
Luckily for the sanity of humanity, devices with Android 6.0 and higher come equipped with tools to turn your cell phone into a fortress. Because, let’s face it, who hasn’t fantasized about having a digital butler who tells the annoying: “I’m sorry, the lord is not for you”?
Your personal detective: Caller ID and spam
This nifty feature from Google is like having a professional gossiper built into your phone. It shows you information about who is calling you before you make the mistake of answering. Is it a legit company or just “Private” for the umpteenth time? The screen tells you, saving you the awkward conversation where they try to convince you that you have a problem with your electricity service that, coincidentally, they can only solve if you give them your password.
To activate this benevolent spy, the ritual is this simple: Open the Phone app, look for the menu (usually hidden near the call button like playing hide-and-seek), enter Settings, then Caller ID and spam and, finally, activate the option. Your phone, in an act of digital camaraderie, will send suspicious numbers to Google headquarters for analysis. It’s almost like being part of an anti-crime squad, but from your couch.
The wall of silence: The spam call filter
This is the nuclear option. If the identifier is the detective, the spam filter is the concrete wall that prevents passage. Activate it and calls from numbers identified as junk calls won’t even ring. They will simply end up in your history, where you can observe them with the satisfaction of someone who has dodged a bullet. It is activated in the same Caller ID and spam menu, looking for the “Filter spam calls” option. It’s the digital equivalent of playing the most irritating hold music for those who harass you.
The black list: Manual blocking of heavy goods
For those particularly tenacious contacts, those that insist with the perseverance of a drop of water on a stone, there is the classic option: the manual lock. Simply locate the number in your history, hold your finger on it until a menu of options appears (like magic), and select “Block” or “Add to blacklist.” Ready! You have granted digital divorce to that number. It is therapeutic, fast and does not require lawyers.
Why bother building this digital fortress?
Well, apart from preserving your sanity and preventing a carpet salesman from interrupting your dinner, it’s a matter of security. Every time you answer one of these calls, you confirm that your line is active, which makes you a more juicy target for future spam and phishing campaigns. Blocking and reporting is not just an act of self-defense; It’s a public service that helps poison the well for all those scammers.
And if, despite all these barriers, you end up being a victim of fraud, there is no choice but to turn to professionals. You can file a complaint with the Cyber Police. Because sometimes, even the sharpest sarcasm needs legal backing.
Ready to turn your phone into a hassle-free zone? Share this digital survival guide on your social networks and help your friends fight their own battle against spam. And if you want more tricks to tame your technology, explore our related content and become a master of digital art.
