THE unwanted callsalso known as spam or sales calls, have become one of the major annoyances for users around the world. These calls are often automatedare carried out by companies or cybercriminals who try to sell products, services or, in the worst case, obtain personal and banking information to commit fraud. Fortunately, authorities have started to come up with effective solutions to stop unwanted calls, like the tip shared by the National Police.
The aim is not only to reduce the number of unwanted calls, but also to ensure that users do not fall into the fraud traps that often lurk behind them. The trick, revealed by security forces, consists of a series of simple but effective steps to block annoying numbersidentify possible scams and protect our privacy. Furthermore, the authorities advise using applications and phone specific settings to block robocalls or calls from unknown numbers frequently associated with fraudulent practices.
The best tip to avoid receiving more unwanted calls
Completely avoiding spam calls can be difficult, but there are several strategies that can significantly reduce their frequency. THE National Police recommends starting by blocking numbers that have already called us, adding them to a blacklist on our phone. This is something we can do manually or using specialized applications.
Likewise, it recommends the installation of apps like Truecallerwhich identifies and filters unwanted calls by comparing incoming numbers with a database of potential scammers. If the number matches a spam list, the app can notify us or even block the call automatically.
Robinson List
The tip shared by the National Police to avoid unwanted calls consists of sign up for the Robinson lista free service managed by the Spanish Association of the Digital Economy. This list allows companies to check if we are registered, and if so, they have the obligation to exclude us from their databases to prevent them from calling us for commercial purposes.
To register on the Robinson List, the first thing is to access its official website. Next, we must fill out the form with our personal data and select the types of commercial communications you want to block. Registration is free and allows companies to consult this list before making business calls. Once registered, we will receive fewer unsolicited communications, helping to reduce spam.
Telecommunications law
The government has introduced new measures to fight against phone scamswith the aim of protecting citizens against fraud which is increasing through unwanted calls and messages. One of the most relevant provisions is the ban on making commercial calls from mobile phone numbers.
With this regulation, companies that wish to contact consumers for commercial purposes must do so exclusively from identifiable numbers, such as those beginning with 800 or 900thus allowing users to easily recognize if it is a legitimate offer.
Additionally, a SMS blocking that come from unverified sources, which will help avoid identity theft and scams carried out under the pretext of being official companies or institutions. It also provides for the blocking of calls that, although they are to a national number, come from outside the country, which is particularly useful in stopping international scams.
He Minister of Digital Transformation, Óscar Lópezstressed that this set of measures is a response to the growing number of frauds by SMS and telephone calls, a phenomenon which represents one in three consultations at the National Cybersecurity Institute (Incibe).
These new regulations are in addition to the reform of Telecommunications Act of 2023which gave citizens the right not to receive commercial communications without their consent. Despite legislative advances, many companies have continued to circumvent these regulations, contributing to an increase in unwanted sales calls. The new measures not only prohibit commercial calls from mobile phones, but also include blocking calls from unassigned numbers, helping to eliminate even more fraudulent attempts.
In addition, a database managed by the National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) which will include users who send alphanumeric messages, in order to block any communication that does not come from registered entities. Despite these initiatives, the exact date for the implementation of these measures has not yet been set, leaving citizens waiting for their rapid implementation.
THE Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) advises users to be vigilant when filling out online forms and to always verify the identity of callers during calls. The objective is to reduce the number of telephone frauds.
