My grandmother constantly receives calls from random companies trying to sell her things. Because she is older, she tends to answer every call, and the unwanted conversations are becoming frustrating and upsetting for her. I assume her number may be on marketing lists, but scammers might also be dialing numbers at random. What practical steps can I take to reduce these calls and help her avoid answering them?
4 Answers
Help her create a simple rule: never provide personal information, payment details, account codes, or access to a computer during an unexpected call. If someone claims to be from a bank, government office, or family member, hang up and call back using a trusted number. A private code word can also help family members verify their identity.
Check whether her phone provider offers call control or call screening. These systems may ask unknown callers to press a randomly selected number before connecting, which blocks many automated dialing systems. You can usually add family members, doctors, and other important contacts to an approved list so their calls go through normally.
If she is in the United States, registering her number with the national Do Not Call list can reduce calls from legitimate telemarketers, although it will not stop scammers who ignore the rules. She can also ask legitimate businesses to remove her number from their marketing lists and consider a data-removal service if her information is widely listed.
The most effective habit is to stop answering unknown numbers. Set the phone so only saved contacts ring normally, while unfamiliar callers go to voicemail or a screening prompt. Legitimate callers can leave a message. Blocking individual numbers helps sometimes, but scammers often spoof nearby or completely random caller IDs, so it is not a complete solution.
A silent default ringtone is another simple option. Give actual contacts their own ringtone so she hears important calls without being disturbed by every unknown number.
Call screening through a secondary number can work well too. Keep her important number private, give less-trusted services a separate number, and teach her to ignore calls that do not leave a voicemail.