"Why do I get so many spam calls?" — probably a question that’s been on your mind lately. The rise of telephone fraud is apparent in recent years, and for end users these calls have become a concern. But how do spam calls affect used phone businesses? Can you detect whether the device was flagged by spam callers using an IMEI check? How can businesses ensure that no blacklisted smartphone reaches customers? We answer these questions in detail in this article. Follow along!
Spam Calls: Statistics
In the first half of 2024, nearly 20 billion calls were suspected spam, according to the Global Call Threat Report, published by Hiya. The use of AI technologies has become a rising trend among spammers. Generated voice calls, including deepfakes of famous personalities, are getting more popular, as the tool becomes more efficient and accessible.
The report also highlights regional differences in spam call prevalence. For example, Americans receive 14 spam calls a month on average. The most common topics of the calls are health insurance and Medicare. In France and Spain, the number of unwanted calls per month is a bit lower: 12 calls on average, mostly related to utilities. The lowest number of spam calls was reported in Canada. There, people receive about 4 spam calls a month, with about 7% of them being fraud.
Common Ways Phone Numbers Are Compromised
Spam calls are a type of unwanted phone call, including advertising and fraud. Such calls target a large audience and are usually completely irrelevant to their recipients. Spammers can get phone numbers through different ways:
- Data Breaches: Sometimes, criminals break into corporate systems and expose sensitive information collected by companies. Scammers then buy these databases or find them published in open sources.
- Social Media: When phone numbers are published on public platforms like social media pages or personal websites, scammers can easily find them. Also, they might use automated scraping tools that drastically increase efficiency compared to manually searching for contacts.
- Online Forms: To collect personal information, fraudsters create forms that require people to enter their data in order to get something appealing (for example, to participate in a giveaway, join a newsletter, or get a free trial).
Moreover, if a person ever answers a scam call or calls back, their number might be marked in the database as an active one. Later, scammers might contact this number again.
How to Stop Spam Calls on iPhone and Android
Although it is unlikely to completely eliminate spam calls, there are ways to significantly reduce their number. These general rules to limit spam calls are simple yet effective:
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Avoid answering unknown phone numbers that seem suspicious.
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Use spam-blocking apps provided by mobile carriers or third parties. These filters stop suspicious calls, use bots that answer spammers and waste their time, or implement other blocking strategies. Also, these applications usually include features that allow users to report spam calls, improving their future functionality.
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Avoid entering your phone number on suspicious websites—a basic rule when handling personal information.
Additionally, there are several tips applicable specifically to iPhones or Android smartphones.
Apple smartphones have a Silence Unknown Callers feature that can be found in Settings > Apps > Phone. When enabled, the device won’t ring for calls from unknown numbers; however, you will still receive a notification. Also, spam phone numbers can be blocked or reported as junk on iPhones.
Android smartphones offer a Caller ID & Spam feature that can be enabled in Settings (the exact location may vary depending on the phone model). This functionality allows spam calls to be detected and blocked automatically.
If none of the above tips help, the best way is to change the phone number entirely. After switching to a new number, it’s important to maintain data hygiene and be careful about who to share it with.
Are Spam Calls a Problem for Used Device Businesses?
Spam calls are, first and foremost, a growing problem for device users: these calls are not only disturbing and annoying, but they can also be fraudulent.
However, for businesses, spam-related issues may arise from a different angle. When purchasing pre-owned electronic devices, businesses must ensure they don’t buy blacklisted smartphones. These phones might have an illegal origin—for example, being lost or stolen—or be flagged due to suspected spam-like activity. Therefore, the widespread use of spam calls is a concern for businesses in our industry.
How Can Businesses Ensure They Don’t Purchase Blacklisted Phones?
Information about device status—whether it is blacklisted, blocked, or has a negative financial balance—is linked to smartphone IMEI. Therefore, extracting this unique number and checking it in the universally recognized GSMA base is essential. The most efficient way to do it is with automated testing software NSYS Diagnostics, which has an integrated GSMA Check feature.
NSYS Diagnostics quickly detects the device status and ensures that the smartphone has not been locked or blacklisted. In addition, the solution performs 60+ tests and finds more than 100 hardware defects, including non-original parts, poor battery health, and broken cameras. NSYS Diagnostics tests with 99.7% accuracy, drastically benefiting the workflow efficiency and reducing return rates.
For each device tested, NSYS Diagnostics provides a testing certificate that contains all test results. These certificates help to prove smartphone quality to the customer, extend the guarantees, and be listed on marketplaces. NSYS Group is authorized by Amazon Renewed, Back Market, and Refurbed, and its testing certificates can be used to become a seller on these platforms.
Try the NSYS Diagnostics solution for your business to boost efficiency and cut expenses!
