A “spam risk” call is an incoming call that has been flagged as being a likely source of spam. The spam risk feature is implemented by phone service providers and apps as a way to notify users of the dangers associated with unsolicited calls before they decide whether or not to answer.
What happens if I answer a spam risk call?
In the event that you choose to answer a spam risk call, you could be connected to a caller with malicious intentions. Spam risk calls often originate from cold-calling telemarketers attempting to sell products or services, for example, or scammers or automated systems on VoIP seeking to obtain sensitive information from you;
Answering these calls poses serious risks. For example, you may be deceived into providing sensitive information or have your voice recorded, which can lead to a data breach or financial loss as a result of being defrauded. Additionally, you may be charged for expensive overseas calls, or be targeted for additional scams after answering.
How does my phone identify spam risks?
Your smartphone typically identifies spam risks via your mobile carrier, leveraging informational resources such as call-blocking databases and machine learning algorithms. Service providers normally analyze factors like call patterns, ID information, and known spam numbers to determine the likelihood of an unsolicited call being spam. When calls match their criteria, the call is then flagged as a spam risk and displayed as such on your phone before you answer.
How to stop spam risk calls?
There are several steps you can take to reduce the number of spam risk calls you receive.
One way is to use a call-blocking app on your phone. This will enable your device to automatically recognize and block known spam numbers. If your phone has a built-in call-blocking feature, such as on iPhone, you can choose to enable that instead.
You can also take caution to avoid providing your phone number on online platforms unless absolutely necessary. This will help to avoid having your details collected by malicious callers who use web scraping to create call lists. It’s also a good idea to report spam calls to carriers and authorities to help improve screening.
Lastly, depending on where you live, you may be able to register with a Do Not Call Registry. This can help to reduce the number of unsolicited calls you receive.
Conclusion
“Spam Risk” term used to describe calls with a high probability of being spam, and the spam risk feature on phones is designed to notify users of this status. By alerting users to the danger associated with unsolicited calls, this feature helps users to make informed decisions about which calls to answer so they can avoid being subject to scams or unwanted solicitations.
