Tech

TECH

FRUSTRATED WITH AUTOMATED PHONE MESSAGES? By Genny Tech until eventually we ended up with the Robocalls are one of the few things robocall. Today, it’s the Internet that Congress agrees on so they have

If you have a phone, even a land line, enables robocalls to exist because that’s closed a loophole scammers used by you’ve been robocalled. how most calls are now connected. updating some language in existing laws. Lawmakers are also flirting with Maybe the number popped up as your But how did robots get your phone the idea of levying fines on robocallown, which is always a bit creepy. Per- number? ers and passing laws that would make haps you answered because the caller cooperating with other countries to ID showed a phone number with a local There are different kinds of robocalls stop robocalling operations easier. In area code. But instead of a neighbor’s but the basic technology that enables the past two months, significant new But if calls are still getting through or voice, you heard a recording of a them is the same. An automated system, legislation is in the forefront for carri- you want more customization, other woman explaining how she can help often overseas, gets phone numbers ers to provide relief. apps like Robokiller are available for with all that money you allegedly owe from marketing lists, data leaks (like both Android and iPhone users. There’s the IRS (the woman is always remark- when a hotel’s records are hacked) The FCC is mostly on board, too. Tak- a “National Do Not Call Registry,” ably chipper given the bad news she or public records. The system, run by ing a James Bond approach, the FCC although be warned that it is not as delivers). Occasionally, people are told just one or a few individuals, calls up worked with telecom companies to robust an action as it used to be. You a court has ordered them to pay money to millions of people every day. And develop a way to authenticate phone can follow the guidelines in a list from to resolve litigation, an especially odd although the vast majority of people numbers using what’s known as the the FCC, which you can find at www. call for those who have never sued or receiving these calls hang up, don’t SHAKEN/STIR protocols and encour- fcc.gov/consumers/guides and search been sued. answer or block the call, enough people ages phone companies to adopt them. for robocall help guides. Finally, no pay the alleged “debt” that robocalling matter how tempting, don’t engage with Phone scams go all the way back is obscenely profitable for scammers. Meanwhile, there are some things robocallers! to 1888 when the phone was such you can do to protect yourself. AT&T, cutting-edge tech that only the wealthi- There have been attempts to thwart Verizon and T-Mobile all have an app GenTech is a full service, tech help cenest people had one. And as the phone the insidious, automated evil that for that and usually it’s already turned ter. 402 E Greenway Parkway, Phoenix. technology evolved, so did the scams, buzzes your phone throughout the day. on for you. Check with your carrier. 602-374-5624 gentechsupport.com

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