October 14, 2020
Author: Maxim
Auto redial on Android smartphones is a very convenient feature that greatly simplifies the process of dialing the desired subscriber.
Let's figure out how to activate this function on your phone if it is turned off. This way, you can simply dial the desired number once, and the system itself will call the subscriber the required number of times.
From the previous material you learned how to create a folder on Android. Let's look at how to enable auto-dialing on Samsung, Xiaomi, Honor, Huawei and other Android smartphones. You will also find out whether such an option is available on Apple devices.
What happens if you answer an automated call?
It is best not to answer an automated spam call. If you answer the call, scammers will consider your number to be “good” even if you don’t fall for their tricks. They will try to call again because they know that the caller is a potential victim of fraud. The less you answer robocalls, the fewer calls you will receive.
However, the problem is to understand whether the call is a robocall and also whether the robocall is a spam call.
In recent years, calls from fake numbers have become common. In these calls, the name or number of the caller is deliberately changed. This is often done to imitate a real company or person in order to trick the caller into answering the call. Therefore, be careful when you press the answer button.
You can minimize the risk of fraud by following these tips:
Hang up as soon as you realize it is a robocall
The less you react, the better. If you answer or respond to a call, it may be about and you will start getting calls more often.
If possible, don't say "yes"
Many automated scam calls start with the question: “Hello, can you hear me?”, to which people answer “yes” without even thinking. A recording of this response may be stored and used for fraudulent activities. So don't say yes if possible.
Don't follow the bot's instructions
Automatic calls sometimes require you to perform certain actions, for example, “press 1 to speak with an operator” or “press 2 to unsubscribe” and so on. By following the instructions, you show that you are a potential victim and invite further automated calls. Try not to perform any actions.
Report a call
In the US, robocalls can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission at donotcall.gov. By providing the identified caller ID, you can help the Federal Trade Commission track down the scammers who made the call. The Federal Trade Commission collects these phone numbers and publishes them every business day. This data is used by telecom operators and organizations working on call blocking solutions. Such reports also help law enforcement agencies identify the originators of illegal calls.
Be careful
The potential damage from automated scam calls can be very high. Even if the scammers don't get your credit card information, they will waste your time. Be careful whenever you call from an unknown number. If you receive a call from any company, you can hang up, find their contact number on the website and call back to check if the call is genuine.
Online calling applications
For two users to communicate via the application, both of them must have it installed. Another condition is that the phone is connected to the mobile Internet or Wi-Fi.
Most often, you can find a person in the service by his mobile phone number - it is tied to his account.
Calls are completely free - there are no restrictions, you do not need to have any money in your account. You can call both within Russia and to any part of the planet.
Skype
People were using Skype even before the advent of smartphones. And now he does not lose popularity. This is a convenient service for video calls, text messaging and making regular voice calls.
Suitable for use on a computer or mobile device. In addition, there is a browser version - open the online service page and make calls directly from it without installing the program on your computer.
Skype is convenient not only for communicating with one user; here you can create a conference with several participants.
Viber
Viber is one of the most popular services in Russia and the CIS countries. This is what people associate with free calls over the Internet.
There are versions of the application for mobile phones and computers. Suitable for voice and video calls. The conference call function is not yet provided here. There is no online version for the browser either.
Another popular service from Facebook developers. Only a mobile version of WatsApp has been created. Group calls cannot be made here. Used only for voice or video communication between two users.
Sippoint and Qip
The Sippoint program allows you to make voice and video calls for free within the Sipnet network. Outside this network, calls are paid, with the exception of some destinations. The current list of countries for free calls can be found on the website sipnet.ru. After registration, a gift of $1 is credited to the user’s account if he indicates his cell number in his profile settings. This way you can test calls all over the world without your own costs. In addition, the user receives bonuses if he brings a friend to the network. They can also be spent on calls.
Network users can exchange text messages through the Sippoint service and in social networks Google Talk, QIP, Yandex, Jabber - everything that works using the XMPP protocol.
Facebook Messenger
It is part of the Facebook social network with an audience of more than a billion people around the world. Facebook Messenger is used for more than just messaging. Through it you can make calls with or without video broadcasting. Voice conferencing available.
Calls through the browser are supported, without the need to connect any plugins.
Use operator tools to block unwanted calls
The four major carriers have tools to identify, filter and prevent calls or messages from suspicious numbers on your phone. Most require an additional monthly fee to activate caller ID service, but network level blocking is free for all carriers.
AT&T
AT&T subscribers can use a free app for iOS and Android called AT&T Call Protect. It has automatic fraud and spam blocking. You can manually block unwanted calls.
Verizon
Verizon recently announced a free call blocking service that will debut in March. Verizon previously offered $2.99 per month per line.
Verizon has also identified 300 million spam and scam phone numbers that it will block with free spam alert and call blocking tools also coming in March.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile offers two free ways to combat robocalls and spam calls.
First, Scam ID, an automatic system that identifies spam numbers when your phone rings. T-Mobile does this automatically on its network, and there's no app to install or service to turn on.
The second free method is Scam Block. Unlike Scam ID, which simply identifies known spam numbers, Scam Block gives you the ability to block those numbers. To enable this, dial #662# on your T-Mobile handset. To turn it off, dial #632#.
Similar to Verizon's Caller Name ID, T-Mobile has its own toll , which identifies and provides caller information such as name, location, and organization type. You can block them as needed. It's included in T-Mobile's ONE Plus plans. For other T-Mobile plans, it costs $4 per month per line.
What should I do?
It is after such moments that the understanding comes that auto-dialing on Android is not just some kind of additional “feature”, but a truly necessary attribute of the platform. For those users who, due to their occupation or for some other reason, need frequent calls to such “busy” institutions, the ability to automatically dial will be a real salvation and a significant relief.
This problem can be quite easily solved by installing third-party applications, that is, special programs for auto-dialing that work in the background in parallel with the main communication functionality. In some gadgets (more on them below), this feature is provided in the stock firmware, but, alas, these are in the minority.
So, let's figure out how to enable auto-dialing on the Android platform and what applications can help in this matter.
Auto redial on iPhone
There is no way to enable auto redial on an iPhone. This can only be done using jailbreak. Third-party software, such as iReDial, does not perform its functions, it is just a reminder for you to call yourself. Therefore, there is no point in downloading such applications.
If you wish, if you don’t want to pick up the iPhone, you can ask Siri to call you back to the desired number. There are no other ways at the moment.
Join the national registry
Millions of people rejoiced when the FTC created the National Do Not Call Registry—and in an ideal world, the registration would prevent telemarketers from calling you. Technically, telemarketers are prohibited from calling you if you are on this list.
But the world is not ideal. Scammers don't follow the rules and don't care about this list. It's still wise to register your number as an extra layer of protection against unwanted calls. Simply go to donotcall.gov and enter your desired landline or cell phone number from the list.
You can also call 1-888-382-1222 from any phone you want to see listed. That's all it takes, and the number remains on the list until you ask to remove it or leave the number.
Once you sign up, the Do Not Call list will remove you from commercial business calling lists, but not immediately. Telemarketers only update their lists periodically, so the FTC says it can take up to 31 days.
In addition, political organizations, charities, and pollsters are still allowed to call you. Companies from whom you have purchased something or made a payment in the last 18 months are also eligible to call you. However, when they call, firmly tell them to remove you from their list and they must comply with your request, although they may still try to convince you to reconsider your decision.
What is auto dialer and why is it needed?
Auto redial is a function that allows you to automatically dial a number over and over again until the subscriber picks up. Reset, busy line, forwarding, they don’t answer the phone - redial the number until the winning one.
The function is useful for calling company hotlines, government agencies, clinics to call a doctor at home, and in many other cases. At the same time, you can go about your business: your hands are not busy with the phone, the speakerphone is immediately turned on in the application.
Autodial is also used by call center employees, debt collectors, promoters, sales department employees and other specialists.
Auto redial is available in many landline phones and Android smartphones as a built-in feature. If it’s not there, it doesn’t matter – you can download a special application from the Google Play Market.
How to report robocalls
In the US, robocalls can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission. You can also register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry (however, this will only work with companies that follow the law; scammers don't care if the number is on that registry).
In the UK, Citizens Advice has information on how to report unwanted calls, including to the Telephone Preference Service. In Australia, you can make a complaint to the Australian Communications and Media Authority. Other countries have similar complaints bodies.
Related articles:
- Are there viruses for iPhone?
- Are there viruses for Android?
- How to Protect a Jailbroken Phone/iPhone
- Mobile fraud: what is it and how to protect yourself
Types of spam calls
The terms "robocall" and "spam call" are sometimes used interchangeably, but they can mean different things.
- What is an automated call? An automated call delivers an automated or pre-recorded voice message. Sometimes such calls are legal and are made with the consent of the subscriber.
- What is a spam call? A spam call is unwanted and its purpose is often to deceive the caller.
Types of fraudulent spam calls and robocalls include:
Calls from fake numbers
Calls that imitate local numbers or numbers from well-known companies. This is because scammers know that the caller is more likely to answer the call from a local or well-known number.
Scam calls from the IRS
In these calls, scammers and criminals pretend to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). They may ask you to pay a false tax bill and claim that otherwise your Social Security number may be removed. To make the call appear real, scammers use fake titles and numbers of Tax Service employees. In the UK, scammers pretend to be from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Scam calls from charities
Calls from non-existent charities asking for donations to help areas or people affected by disease or natural disasters.
Travel scams
These calls may start with an offer of a free or low-cost vacation. The subscriber is then asked to enter credit card information to receive a free ride.
Calls regarding health insurance
These calls indicate that you are being provided with suboptimal health insurance coverage or are being offered discounts on health insurance packages. Their real goal is to obtain your personal data.
Credit Fraud
Fraudsters offer loans or credit cards for a small down payment. These calls are often targeted at people with bad credit. After paying the fee, the loan will not be received.
Help Desk Fraud
Scammers pretend to be representatives of companies such as Apple or other well-known brands that you are a customer of. They ask you for personal information that the real company already has and that is not usually asked over the phone.
Free Trial Scams
Scammers promise to provide a free product or service, but then ask for credit card information, which charges a monthly fee.
Google Search Engine Optimization Calls
These calls are aimed at small companies. The scammers report that these companies' Google listings will soon disappear and threaten to mark such companies as closed unless they pay for some optional SEO services.
Card verification fraud
These spam calls inform small business owners to verify their online card information. Fraudsters demand confidential company information in order for the company to continue to appear on the map. This information is then used to attack the company's financial accounts.
Automatic calls in Chinese
In areas with a significant Chinese population, robocalls are made in Mandarin. These calls can be confusing for someone who doesn't speak Chinese. Those who understand Chinese and follow the instructions of the automatic call run the risk of becoming victims of scammers.
The subject of the calls varies, but it is often claimed that the call is from the Chinese Embassy. The subscriber is informed about the document that he allegedly needs to obtain in order to protect his immigration status. The real purpose of the call is to get money.
Install a special application to block contacts.
Truecaller Android app is designed to block unwanted contacts. It is used by more than 100 million users. The application database contains a special database of phone numbers of scammers and spammers.
Another similar application, Call Control, has a convenient and intuitive interface. It is also completely free.
You can also install the Call Blocker application on your smartphone, where you can set an individual schedule for blocking unknown numbers.
