JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – If it seems like your phone is ringing more than ever with calls promising pre-approved loans or asking for personal information, you’re not alone.
News4JAX viewers said unwanted spam calls have become a daily frustration, with many reporting they continue despite registering their phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry and filing complaints with federal regulators.
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Consumer investigative reporter Tiffany Salameh found her own phone has become a target.
“You qualify for a loan up to $80,000,” one recorded message said. Salameh noted she had never applied for such a loan and said she now receives five or six spam calls a day.
After sharing the issue on social media, hundreds of viewers responded with similar experiences.
One viewer, Leandrofedz, commented that the calls come “everyday at every time.”
Another, Marsattack22, said, “I’ve reported it to the FCC and am registered on the do-not-call list but calls still come through.”
Jason Belcher, president of the Better Business Bureau of Northeast Florida, said consumer frustration is understandable.
“We wish there was a button we could push or a switch we could flip that would just make them stop,” Belcher said. “I’m with you on that.”
While many consumers wonder why the calls haven’t been stopped, Belcher said creating or changing laws is up to lawmakers, not consumer protection organizations.
Instead, he said the focus should be on preventing people from becoming victims.
“The number one thing is don’t give out personal identifying information,” Belcher said. “That includes your Social Security number, address and birthday.”
Belcher said many spam calls are fueled by massive data breaches, where criminals obtain large databases containing thousands or even millions of phone numbers. Using automated dialing technology, scammers can contact huge numbers of people in a short amount of time.
Although there’s no guaranteed way to eliminate the calls, Belcher recommends several steps consumers can take to reduce their risk:
- Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers when possible.
- Never provide personal or financial information over the phone to unsolicited callers.
- Block spam numbers on your phone.
- Register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry.
- Report unwanted calls to the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Communications Commission.
Belcher said reporting spam calls is important because the BBB tracks scam trends nationwide and shares that information with law enforcement agencies when patterns emerge.
“If we see scams that are affecting large numbers of people across a certain region or state, we can report that to the local authorities and let them take action from a legal perspective,” he said.
While unwanted calls may continue, consumer advocates say staying cautious and refusing to engage with callers remains the best defense against becoming the next scam victim.
Click here to report spam calls to the BBB.