KSL INVESTIGATES

Spam Robocallers Up 56 Percent Over Previous Year

Apr 20, 2021, 6:37 PM | Updated: Apr 21, 2021, 8:14 am

OREM, Utah – If spam calls seem out of control to you, you are far from being alone. Utahns received over 35 million robocalls last month according to the YouMail Robocall Index – that’s a robocall every 13.1 seconds.

Spam calls have become so routine for Sandra Mangum, they seem unstoppable. She said gets calls all day, every day from scammers trying every which way to rip her off.

“It was overtaking my whole life to the point that I couldn’t decide even to answer the phone,” Mangum said.

She said has not fallen for any of those scams but is sick of screening all her calls.

“I’d like to know what can be done about it,” said Mangum.

She is far from alone according to cybersecurity expert Alex Hamerstone, who is a risk management director for the firm Trustedsec. Even Hamerstone is not immune from the calls.

“I’m getting about 50 a day,” he said.

According to Truecaller, a robocall blocking app that also tracks scam calls all over the world, “The U.S. is now the second most spammed country in the world and has seen a 56% increase of spam calls compared to last year.” The No. 2 spot: a significant rise from just last year’s rank – 8th.

When it comes to spam calls, Brazil is ranked No. 1, with an increase of 9% compared to last year.

“It’s almost the point where we can’t even use our phones as phones anymore, because 90% of the calls for a lot of us are just these robocalls,” said Hamerstone.

There are apps and services that can cut down on unwanted junk calls. And settings on most smartphones that will allow you to only let calls through from numbers that you recognize. Both can be very effective but only if you are OK with missing calls, which not everyone can afford to do.

“I’m in consulting, so I have to answer my phone,” Hamerstone said. “I can’t ignore my phone when it rings.”

Magnum said she is hopeful that eventually technology gets ahead of the bad guys and in the meantime, she hopes those who make their living ripping people off through spam calls, well, “get a life.”

“It is taking over my life.”

The Federal Trade Commission says the best way to stop the scams is to “hang up.” Then report the scam to https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/, so the FTC can work to shut down the numbers from which you were called. But regulators will admit, it is a giant game of whack-a-mole: knock one spam number down and then another pops up.

KSL Investigates

FILE: On the same day the Utah’s Senate unanimously passed a resolution to bring an NHL franchise...

Daniella Rivera

‘You are inviting rapists to Utah’: Survivor urges lawmakers to consider consent bill

Year after year, Utah lawmakers have resisted or ignored efforts to close what experts and advocates say is a gap in the state’s sexual assault laws. The lawmaker behind those efforts hopes this year will be different.

2 days ago

West Valley City police officers preforming a welfare check at the home of Sha Reh and Bu Meh on De...

Courtney Johns

Did police miss a key opportunity in West Valley family homicide?

KSL Investigators obtained body camera footage that provides insight into how West Valley City police responded to a welfare check the night before police discovered the tragic murder-suicide inside the home. 

2 days ago

When they made Tim Vincent an offer for his, he says UDOT's appraiser made a glaring mistake - not ...

Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage

UDOT moves to take Orem family’s home before resolving $175K price dispute

When they made Tim Vincent an offer for his, he says UDOT's appraiser made a glaring mistake - not taking into account his automotive shop in his backyard.

3 days ago

Virginia and Bob Baird explain to KSL's Matt Gephardt how a woman at a store tricked Virginia into ...

Matt Gephardt

Utah shopper duped into buying $1,000 in baby formula in likely scam

There may be nothing which pulls the heartstrings like hearing about a baby who doesn't have anything to eat. Scammers are banking on it.

4 days ago

FILE - Utah State Capitol. (KSL TV)...

Daniella Rivera

If you’ve requested government records in Utah, the KSL Investigators want to hear from you

Whether you received exactly what you were looking for or struggled to obtain records you believe are public, if you’re a Utahn who has requested public records, the KSL Investigators want to hear about it.

5 days ago

Rehn says despite the her washer’s fifth breakdown, her extended warranty company will not pay ou...

Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage, KSL TV

Get Gephardt helps Washington City woman who says her warranty won’t pay out for her unrepairable washer

When a Washington City woman's extended warranty refused to cover the cost to replace her broken-down washer, she decided to Get Gephardt.

5 days ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

Spam Robocallers Up 56 Percent Over Previous Year