Week of April 6, 2026
Weekly Tech Tip: Why Am I Getting So Many Spam Calls?
You’re not imagining it—spam and scam calls have increased significantly this year. Many of us have noticed more unknown numbers, repeated calls, or even calls that feel surprisingly real.
This is happening due to a mix of new technology and delays in protections catching up.
What’s Causing the Increase?
- AI Voice Scams Are Getting Smarter
Scammers can now use short audio clips (sometimes pulled from social media) to mimic real voices. This means a call may sound like a coworker, supervisor, or family member—even when it’s not.
- Caller ID Isn’t Always Reliable
Technology meant to verify phone numbers (called STIR/SHAKEN) isn’t fully implemented across all carriers yet. This allows scammers to “spoof” numbers that look local or familiar.
- Your Number Is Likely Circulating
With the rise in data breaches, phone numbers are often shared or sold. Even answering a spam call once can flag your number as “active,” leading to more calls.
What You Can Do:
- Use Built-In Phone Protection (Quick Win!)
These tools are already on your phone and are very effective:
- iPhone:
Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers
- Android:
Phone App → Settings → Spam & Call Screen
This helps reduce interruptions while still allowing important calls to come through voicemail.
2. Know Your Rights (Connecticut-Specific)
Connecticut provides added protections:
- If you say “Stop” or “Remove me”, the caller must end the call within 10 seconds
- If they don’t, or they call again, you can report it to the Connecticut Attorney General
This helps hold repeat offenders accountable.
The Most Important Rule:
Never press a number to “opt out.”
Pressing buttons (like “Press 1 to be removed”) actually tells the system your number is active—often leading to more spam calls.
Important Reminder: Protecting Ourselves & Those We Support:
At our agency / company, protecting information is part of how we support one another and the those we serve.
- Do not share personal, financial, or company information over the phone unless you are 100% certain of who you are speaking with
- Be especially cautious if a caller creates urgency or pressure (ex: “this needs to be done immediately”)
- If something feels off—even slightly—pause and verify using a known number or internal contact
- When in doubt, ask for support—we are here to help each other
It is always okay to slow down and double-check. Taking that extra moment protects you, our team, and the those we support.
Final Thought
Technology is always evolving—and so are the ways we protect ourselves. The goal isn’t to eliminate every spam call, but to reduce disruptions and stay informed.
If you receive a call that feels urgent, unusual, or out of character—even if it sounds like someone you know—pause and verify using a known phone number or internal contact method.