Almost two thirds of incoming calls received by subscribers of Russian operators in 2022 from unknown numbers are spam. Such calls irritate everyone without exception, and for a person who is not very knowledgeable or careless they can be simply dangerous, because a significant proportion of them are attempts at outright fraud. The most reliable way to avoid unpleasant contacts is to block spam calls. We have collected the most popular methods of protecting against voice spam.
Legal definition of spam calls
Everyone intuitively understands what “spam” is. Meanwhile, there is a legal definition of this disaster. On the territory of the Russian Federation, the “Rules for the provision of telematic communication services”, adopted in 2007, are in force. Thus, telematics services are primarily a variety of digital services, telephony, and information systems. This document states that spam is a telematic message addressed to an indefinite number of subscribers and delivered without their consent. And in a way that makes it impossible to identify the sender due to him indicating a false or non-existent address.
First of all, this is the Law “On Advertising”, according to which such messages can be sent only with the written consent of the subscriber, which can be canceled at any time, even verbally. The second law is “On Personal Data”. If the caller knows the address, place of work, position and other details about the subscriber, this may serve as a reason to contact law enforcement.
Hiya
The Hiya app has one of the best databases compared to its competitors. If none of the programs described above suits you, Hiya will most likely suit you. The application is absolutely free. It has already been downloaded over 5 million times, which is saying something.
The user interface is well designed and has many useful functions. The program does a good job of blocking unwanted calls and SMS messages. You can also add text notes to specific numbers.
Ways to block spam calls
First of all, you must regularly take all possible measures to protect yourself. Do not give out your phone number to just anyone, do not check the boxes indicating consent to the processing of personal data on suspicious sites. However, these measures do not provide 100% protection. It is also important to behave correctly when receiving a spam call:
- Record the conversation and report it.
- Ask the caller the name of the organization, his position, first and last name.
- Find out where he got your phone number and other information.
- Please indicate that you do not wish to receive advertising and request that you be removed from the database.
Oddly enough, these measures are often sufficient. But only if the advertising campaign is carried out by a person and not a robot. It may also help to contact your telephone or Internet provider and ask them to protect you from such calls.
Forward to voicemail
In order to protect yourself from spammers, you can set the call to forwarding. The desired number is in the call log, select the Settings, Forward to voicemail function. In case of such blocking, spammers will get to the automatic voicemail answering machine.
Advantages and disadvantages
With such blocking, spammers can remove the phone from their database
Built-in feature does not reduce device performance
The blocking can be lifted at any time
You have to do everything by hand
Voicemail will be filled with similar messages
Built-in phone tools
Regular mobile phones have in their menu means of protection against unwanted calls, so-called “black lists”. The simplest way to use them to protect against spam is to block calls from unknown numbers. In this case, the caller receives a message indicating that the subscriber is unavailable or busy. The method, of course, protects against spam calls 100%, but is not applicable for those who constantly use the phone for work, for example, sales managers, call center employees, and government agencies. It may also happen that a courier from an online store or a pizzeria, an ambulance doctor or a firefighter will also not be able to get through because all incoming calls are blocked. So the method is effective, but extremely inconvenient and even dangerous.
You can add numbers to the “black list” and specifically - most modern phones have this ability. But the number of new numbers from spammers is growing exponentially.
Sync.ME
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SyncME Caller ID Contacts
Developer: Sync.ME LTD
Price: Free+
Sync.ME is the last blocker that we will look at in this collection. The main advantage of the service is the ability to determine numbers from 107 countries. Sync.ME complements the address book with photos of subscribers, which are taken from social networks, so that your contact list is more conveniently organized.
For those who are used to using services to the maximum, the program provides a Pro subscription (RUB 704/year), which opens up most of the possibilities. For example, after its design, it will be possible to install various themes, receive more detailed reports about numbers, eliminate duplicate contacts, and much more. And for those who find this not enough, the developers have provided a special plan costing 2,599 rubles/year, which provides priority support and some other functions.
What's interesting here is the missed call assistant, which will automatically answer callers and select the best time to remind you to call back. Can be especially useful for those who are constantly in the flow of events and can easily forget to answer a missed call.
Application Features:
- Automatically finds duplicate contacts and merges them.
- Detects spam calls and blocks spammers, scammers and telemarketers.
- Search any number in any country in the world.
- Quickly record all your phone calls.
- Stylish design.
Smartphone applications
A smartphone gives you much more options for protecting against spam. Similar functions are built into applications of popular resources, for example, 2GIS or Sberbank Online. But there are hundreds of special applications for filtering out spam, running Android and iOS, the most common operating systems. All such services collect databases of spammers and check whether each incoming call is in it. The system itself asks the subscriber for information about him, after which he most often disconnects.
Examples of such applications:
Yandex caller ID
The application checks the incoming call with its database. If this is a certain company, then its name will be displayed on the screen. If the message indicates that it is “Delivery of goods” or “Advertising of communication services”, then this will also be shown. However, connection in these cases will not happen, only manually. And if the message “Probably scammers” pops up, it means that the caller’s number has already been entered into the database of spammers or attackers.
Yandex caller ID. Photo: Google Play
Kaspersky Who Calls
The capabilities of the free version of the application from the famous virus fighter coincide with those from Yandex. The paid option provides automatic number blocking and cuts off your own advertising.
Kaspersky Who Calls. Photo: Google Play
Whoscall
The effectiveness of anti-spam applications directly depends on the size of its number base. This service has a record, 700 million subscribers and 50 million users from all over the world. The database has been assembled since 2010 and does not require a constant connection to the Internet; it works autonomously even without it. The application is paid.
Whoscall. Photo: Google Play
Eyecon
The application cooperates with Facebook and many other social networks and instant messengers. When calling from an unknown contact, it shows the name and photo of the caller. The application is paid.
Eyecon. Photo: Google Play
Drupe
In addition to a regular phone, it works with WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram and other instant messengers. Activated on Android and iOS, works with a monthly, annual or perpetual subscription.
Drupe. Photo: Google Play
Correct use of mobile number
It is almost impossible to delete an existing phone in the database. The number is included in various directories that are sold or distributed free of charge. Therefore, one of the reliable methods of protection is the correct use of your phone number to prevent it from being included in various lists. It should only be entered on trusted sites. Particular attention is paid to filling out various feedback forms.
Advantages and disadvantages
If you protect your confidential information correctly, problems will not arise
The user gains experience using his data on the Internet
The result depends on the care and skills of the user
A phone number can also be taken over in other ways.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| If you protect your confidential information correctly, problems will not arise | The result depends on the care and skills of the user |
| The user gains experience using his data on the Internet | A phone number can also be taken over in other ways. |
How and where to complain about spam calls
If a spammer calling advertises his services or products without your consent, then he is violating the advertising law. First of all, check your contract with your mobile operator. There may be fine print stating that you agree to receive advertising. This means that spammers are not breaking the law.
Otherwise, turn on the conversation recording. This can be done without warning, if you do not ask the caller for his personal information. But it’s better to give a warning; often after this the calls stop.
You can complain to the Federal Antimonopoly Service. The easiest way for this purpose is to fill out a special form on the State Services website or use the special State Services application for Android and iOS.
In this case, the following data is indicated:
- Own last name, first name, patronymic and place of residence;
- Spammer data, if identified;
- What and how is violated;
- A message about the desire to bring violators to justice;
- Supporting documents: records, printouts of call details.
The period for consideration of a complaint is 1 month, it can be extended for another month. If a case of an administrative offense is initiated, you will receive a corresponding notification.
A complaint about a violation of the law on the protection of personal data should be sent to Roskomnadzor. This can be done at any of its branches or fill out the appropriate form on the website. The review deadlines are the same.
Changing your mobile number
Disabling your current mobile phone number is a last resort when other methods have not given the desired result. However, no one guarantees that the problem will not affect something new.
Advantages and disadvantages
The problem is solved immediately without third-party programs
A new one may be required to register additional accounts.
Cellular operators often charge money for registering a number.
I have to tell everyone I know about my number change.
There are problems accessing services that were associated with the previously used number.
Popular questions and answers
What is the difference between spam calls and phone scams?
Spammers are eager to sell you their services or products. but scammers always try to extract any information: CVV code, card number, codes from CMS, PIN codes, says Pavel Korostelev, head of the product promotion department . Do not share this information with anyone unless you are sure it is safe. Sending spam is an administrative violation, fraud is a criminal offense.
Is it possible to completely get rid of spam calls?
No, today this is impossible, Pavel Korostelev . Security measures are being improved, but methods of sending spam also do not stand still. Recently adopted amendments to the advertising law introduced SMS and voice messages into the category of spam. Thereby eliminating the wide gap for spammers.
Senior developer for the development of software products for mobile technologies David Grigoryan reminds that most smartphones have a function that allows you to ignore incoming calls from numbers outside your contacts list or from hidden numbers. The disadvantage of this approach is that any contact whose number you have not recorded will not be able to reach you.
There is also a less radical way - installing applications that allow you to determine whether an incoming call is an advertisement or spam. In this case, you need to grant rights to these applications to block and identify incoming calls. The principle of operation is very simple: when an incoming call arrives, the system checks whether there is an incoming number in the database of this application, and, if there is one, the system asks the application for brief information on the number. This approach prevents applications from obtaining any sensitive information about your calls.
What responsibility does the distributor of spam calls bear?
Lawyer Olga Prokopyeva claims that sending spam is an administrative violation. If a violation of the law is established, the spammer company faces a fine of 15 to 75 thousand rubles, and company employees - from 10 to 20 thousand rubles.
But if spammers cross the fine line between the Law on Advertising and the Law on the Protection of Personal Data, they find themselves in a different legal plane. Under Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Fraud”), those guilty face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to 1 million rubles.
"Do not call me"
This detector and blocker of unwanted calls from the MGLab Apps studio is distinguished by its small size. The application weighs less than 10 MB, so owners of devices with a small amount of internal memory can install it.
In terms of functionality, “Don’t Call Me” is not inferior to its analogues. After launching the program and issuing all permissions, the user receives detailed information about all incoming messages. So, the owner of the phone sees who called him in recent days. Of course, in the utility settings there is a function to automatically block spam calls. To activate it, you do not need to sign up for a paid subscription, which only eliminates unobtrusive advertising.
In addition, the “Don’t Call Me” user has a number of additional options at his disposal. In addition to spam calls, the application can limit incoming calls from hidden numbers, as well as from numbers of subscribers added to the smartphone owner’s blacklist. In short, the MGLab Apps studio utility becomes the optimal tool for setting up blocking of unpleasant calls.
Truecaller
This program was developed by a Swedish company and is positioned by the developers as the world's best spam number detector and unwanted call blocker. Truecaller's anti-spam database consists of 250 million users from different parts of our planet, and the total number of application downloads has reached 500 million . The application identifies unknown callers and automatically blocks spam.
In addition, the application offers users a number of additional functions, such as making calls from the application itself or the ability to find out when people in their contact list are available to call. Truecaller also offers the opportunity to communicate with friends for free, exchange files, text messages and images with other service members.
Call Blacklist
Call Blacklist is another heavyweight program that can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. The application has more than 10 million downloads and an interface that will appeal to most Android device owners.
The program is quite functional and visually attractive. Users respond well to it. If you are looking for an application that does everything and costs nothing, feel free to choose Call Blacklist. The program is absolutely free, but at the same time it is easy to use and has a large number of useful functions.
AntiNuisance
AntiNuisance may have a minimum of functions, but the program works like a clock. And the developers did not set out to stuff the application with as many options as possible. The programmers intended to make a lightweight and simple software product, and they succeeded. AntiNuisance does not have a ready-made database of numbers, but users can easily create their own. There is a function to block all calls from unknown numbers.
What types of advertising calls are there?
Researchers identify several types of such spam calls:
| Types of spam calls: | Explanation: |
| Illegal robocalls. | These are usually spam calls containing a pre-recorded audio message. |
| Illegal scam calls. | Usually from real people who want to steal your money, data, and so on. |
| Telemarketing and cold calling. | Spam calls during which you are offered to purchase a product or service. |
| Market research and legal services. | Designed to collect information, offer legal services, and so on. |
The law requires mobile subscribers from these organizations to identify themselves at the start of a call. But quite often this does not happen, and the subscriber is forced to waste his time listening to annoying advertising offers.
How to get rid of push notifications
Promotional messages may be sent as push notifications. They are generated by sites the user has visited. To send them, you must agree to subscribe to the newsletter. On some resources, this is done so that the user unknowingly subscribes to notifications.
On mobile devices, all important messages come to the notification center. You can get rid of push advertising by unsubscribing on the site. If you receive too many messages, your Notification Center settings will stop showing browser messages.
If targeted messages are received on a mobile phone, this means that information about the owner has fallen into the hands of third parties. Many organizations create a database that is sold to everyone. Therefore, in some cases you have to register a new phone number.
4.4/5 — (7 votes)
Mr. Number
Like a number of other apps on our list, Mr. Number is a database of numbers from which spam is sent or fraudulent schemes are implemented. Numbers involved in phishing and other illegal activities are automatically blocked, and the user is notified about an attempt to make a call.
The application has been developed for Android for a relatively long time. It has been updated several times, but, unfortunately, until now, the capabilities of this software to block SMS messages and calls remain limited. In general, the program performs its functions, but does not do it as well as we would like.
