Spam Calls in the United States
Spam call is an umbrella term that covers robocalls, telemarketing, scams, and "vampire" lead-generation calls. The FCC consistently logs it as the number-one consumer complaint. Here's the complete playbook.
Common signs
- Unknown caller, no message left when you don't pick up.
- "SCAM LIKELY" or "Spam Risk" displayed on your phone (carrier flagged).
- Multiple calls from the same area code as you.
Typical scripts
- "Hi, this is Rachel from Cardholder Services…"
- "Final notice: act now to claim your refund."
What to do
- Let unknown calls go to voicemail.
- Block aggressively in your handset.
- Report on GhostCallers and at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Search a number
If you've received one of these calls, search the number on GhostCallers to see what other people have reported.
Search a US numberRelated guides
-
Scam Calls in the United States
Scam calls in the United States have evolved from the early "Nigerian prince" emails into a sprawling industry of voice …
-
Robocalls in the United States
Americans receive an estimated four to five billion robocalls every month. Most are illegal under the Telephone Consumer…
-
Nuisance Calls in the US
Nuisance calls are not always outright scams. Survey companies, lead-generation outfits, "free quote" robocalls, and pol…