How to Stop Spam Calls in California

In 2023, Californians reported a staggering 291,394 unwanted calls to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), placing California near the top of the list of states reporting unwanted calls. Spam calls and texts have become a major problem in California, with spammers attempting to steal personal information by tricking residents into providing personal information through calls and texts. Despite widespread enforcement efforts by government regulators and state officials, the problem of spam calls and texts remains a significant issue.

This resource details how Californians can reduce the number of spam calls and texts they receive and provides spam call information on how to block/report spam callers at both state and national levels. By proactively protecting personal information and reporting suspicious activity, we can all work together to combat the issue of spam calls and texts in California.

How to Block and Report Spam Calls and Texts at a State Level

Many states have programs for reducing spam calls and texts. California has implemented its own laws and regulations aimed at reducing spam, including:

Anti-Phishing Act of 2005: Give residents the right to bring a lawsuit in civil court against scammers.
Consumer Call Protection Act of 2019: Prohibits callers from using fake or misleading phone numbers to deceive consumers.
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA): Gives residents the right to opt out of the sale of their personal information.
California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA): Protects an individual’s data privacy rights, including those of employees, and adds to the rights given by the CCPA.

You can also report scams directly to the state Attorney General’s office. This can be done with the online complaint form or by calling the Attorney General’s Whistleblower Hotline at 1-800-952-5225. This will alert law enforcement to potential scams or other illegal activities. California did have its own Do Not Call Registry at one time which has since merged with the National Do Not Call Registry.

How to Block and Report Spam Calls and Texts at a National Level

You can also fight unwanted calls at the national level. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the agency responsible for governing telemarketing practices in the United States. The FCC has implemented rules and regulations aimed at reducing unwanted calls and texts, including:

Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA): Requires consent from consumers before they are robocalled, an automated opt-out process, and no longer allows telemarketers to use an established business relationship to avoid getting consent.
Truth in Caller ID Act (TICIDA): Prohibits callers from spoofing their caller ID with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or steal.

The National Do Not Call Registry is the most well-known national program for reducing unwanted calls. It allows consumers to register their phone numbers and opt out of telemarketing calls from most companies. It’s important to note, however, that the Do Not Call Registry does not apply to all types of calls, including:

Political calls
Calls from non-profits or charities
Calls from legitimate survey organizations
Calls from debt collectors
Calls from companies you do business with or have sought to do business with within the last 18 months

Registering your phone number with the Do Not Call Registry is free. You can do this at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236). If you register at the website, you will be sent an email with a link you will need to click within 72 hours to complete registration. Telemarketers covered by the registry must stop calling you within thirty days after you register. Your phone number will remain on the registry permanently. Removing a number requires calling 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to remove, and your number will be removed by the next day.

If you get a call that is clearly a scam, the FCC recommends filing a complaint with them and providing them with the phone numbers and other details you have about the calls. In addition to the Do Not Call Registry and reporting the calls to the FCC, the FCC provides several resources for consumers looking to block and report spam calls and texts.

Everyday Tips to Reduce Spam Calls and Texts

Spam calls and texts are not only annoying, but they can also be a security risk. To help reduce the number of unwanted calls and texts you receive, we recommend taking the following steps:

Be very careful where and with whom you share your cell phone number: Be cautious when providing your phone number online or in person, especially when dealing with unfamiliar companies or individuals. Remember that some companies may share or sell your phone number to third-party marketers.
Do not respond to texts from questionable sources: If you receive a text from an unknown sender or a number you don’t recognize, don’t respond. This could confirm that your number is active to the spammer, leading to more unwanted messages.
Do not click on any links in text spam: Many spam messages contain links that could lead to malicious websites or install malware on your phone. If you’re not sure whether a link is safe, don’t click on it.
Do not give out personal information via call or text if you do not know the recipient: Scammers may pose as legitimate companies or organizations to trick you into giving them personal information. Be suspicious of unsolicited calls or texts asking for sensitive information.
Check with your mobile service provider about options to block text messages from specific numbers: Many service providers offer features to block or filter incoming text messages from certain numbers or keywords. This can be an effective way to reduce the number of unwanted messages you receive.
Install a call-blocking app on your phone: Many Android and iOS apps will help you block spam calls and texts. A lot offer basic features for free and premium call-blocking features with a subscription.

Consider getting a virtual phone number: You can use a secondary number for online forms, social media, or anywhere spammers could find it and prevent spam on your primary phone number

Spam calls and texts can pose a significant threat to your privacy and security. While it may be impossible to stop spam calls completely, we’ve covered several steps you can take to minimize the amount of these calls. Working together can create a safer and more secure digital environment for all Californians.