Avoiding Unwanted Phone Calls

Unwanted phone calls are very disturbing and nearly everyone with a cell phone nowadays has to face such calls. Unwanted calls can be of different kinds. Understanding the nature of the calls and identifying their sources can help you stop receiving these calls.

Types of Unwanted Calls

Unwanted calls are mostly from telemarketers, or from unknown people playing pranks or making obscene calls. You may also be disturbed by hang up calls. Hang up calls are those in which the caller puts down the receiver as soon as you answer his or her call.

There may also be abusive or obscene calls or even silence calls. In such cases, the caller does not put down the receiver when you answer the call. Instead the caller uses abusive language or just remains silent.

Calls from telemarketers at odd hours trying to promote goods or new offers can also be quite irritating. Dealing with unwanted calls from telemarketers is easier than that with obscene calls or threat calls. If you do not wish to receive calls from telemarketers you may register with the National Do Not Call registry and create your do not call list. This will stop the telemarketers from calling you.

How to Avoid Unwanted Phone Calls

On registering, you number will be included in the do not call list. It is maintained by the Federal Trade Commission. Telemarketers will obtain your number from this list and stop calling you within 31 days from the day of registration. A do not call request lasts for five years.

However, if you are receiving obscene or threatening calls from unknown numbers, you must first trace the number to stop receiving calls. For this, you may report about the calls to your service provider. The phone companies may help you identify the caller and trace the number.

In order to trace the caller number, you need to keep a track of the calls and identify any pattern in the calls. You may have to contact the local law enforcement agency in order to receive information from the phone company.

If you are able to notice any particular pattern in terms of the time of the day or the frequency of calls, you must report this to the company. Also, following few simple steps may help you block such callers. You may start using a caller ID. Also, you must be careful not to give away your number to unknown people. Since women receive more obscene calls, it is better not to reveal the full name in the telephone directory.

In case you are receiving malicious or threatening calls, you must report this matter to the police. These calls often aid to identify the offender and also help in legal proceedings.

If you receive calls from numbers that are on your do not call list, you may report this to the Federal Communications Commission. You will not be charged any fee for filing a complaint.

By taking few precautions and following the rules, you may track down the caller and thus prevent unwanted calls.