hate those annoying robocalls? Don't knock 'em, block 'em!

Have you noticed a recent epidemic of robocalls and scam calls? You’re not alone! Lately people have been complaining about an explosion of junk calls. What’s up with that?

Internet technology makes it cheaper than ever to use a computer to make thousands of calls for pennies. Consumers are the ones who lose, and the government has yet to come up with effective technology to stop it. Of course you can put your name on the Do Not Call registry, but many scammers just don’t care, and law enforcement is doing little to help.

Why is this happening? Our phone system currently has no security to verify that you are who you say you are, or even that you own the phone number you are “calling from.” Bright minds are working on this, but with landlines and cell phones intertwined, it is difficult to create a more secure system without locking out older technology.

Luckily, there is an easy way you can take this problem into your own hands and protect yourself. Just as you (hopefully) have an antivirus for your computer, you can also have an anti-robocall app for your phone. Two of the top apps are Avast Call Blocker and NoMoRobo.

Avast Call Blocker ($10/yr) is available for both iPhone and Android.

NoMoRobo ($24/year) is available now for iPhone and coming soon for Android.

These apps won’t eliminate robocalls entirely, but they make quick work of known robocallers, ensuring that your phone doesn’t ring and those callers get sent straight to voicemail. We know there’s another place you’d like to send them, but the technology for that hasn’t been invented yet.

Need help setting up a call blocker in your mobile device? Call Jensen at Asheville Digital Lifestyle today.