Blog: security, scams, and phone spam
Content from the NoCall team to understand real threats, spot patterns, and make informed decisions.
Are AI voice-clone robocalls illegal? The FCC's TCPA ruling explained
Yes, unless you agreed to them or an exemption applies. In a February 2024 Declaratory Ruling, the FCC confirmed that AI-generated and cloned voices count as an "artificial or prerecorded voice" under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, so callers need your prior express consent, and written consent for telemarketing.
Can telemarketers call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.? TCPA calling hours and consent explained
No. Under FCC rule 47 CFR 64.1200(c)(1), telephone solicitations to your home are banned before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m., your local time. Here is what that rule covers, when robocalls and texts need your consent, and how to revoke it.
"Spam Likely" vs. a verified caller: what STIR/SHAKEN and carrier call blocking really tell you
A "scam likely" label is your carrier's guess from call analytics; a checkmark or "verified" badge only means the number probably wasn't spoofed. Neither one tells you whether the caller is honest. Here's how STIR/SHAKEN and call blocking work, per the FCC.
What the National Do Not Call Registry does and doesn't stop, and how to report a call
The Do Not Call Registry tells legitimate telemarketers not to call you, but it doesn't block calls and scammers ignore it. Here's what it covers, what it doesn't, and where to report: donotcall.gov or ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
SIM Swapping: How Criminals Steal Your Phone Number to Rob Your Bank
SIM swapping ports your number to a criminal's SIM so they receive your bank's verification codes. How the attack works, the warning signs, and how to lock down your line.
The "Hi Mum" WhatsApp Scam: How the Stranded-Kid Con Works
A text from an unknown number claims to be your kid with a broken phone and an urgent bill. How the "hi mum" scam unfolds, the red flags, and the one check that always exposes it.
Caller ID Spoofing: Why the Number on Your Screen Can Be Fake
Spoofing lets scammers display any number they want — your bank's, a local area code, even your own. How it works, what STIR/SHAKEN changed, and the verification habit that beats it.
AI Voice Cloning Scams: When Your Grandchild's Desperate Call Is a Fake
Scammers clone a loved one's voice with AI and stage a fake emergency — a crash, an arrest, a kidnapping — to demand urgent money. Here is how the con works, and the family code word that stops it.
Wangiri Scams: Why One-Ring Calls From International Numbers Are Never Accidental
One-ring calls from strange international numbers are wangiri callbacks designed to charge premium rates. Here is how the trap works and what to do instead.
How to Report Spam Calls and Texts in the US
A practical walkthrough of reporting robocalls, scam texts, and telemarketers to the FTC, FCC, your carrier, and 7726 — and when reporting actually makes a difference.
Who's Calling? How to Identify Unknown Numbers Before You Answer
Caller ID can be spoofed, but risk signals, reverse lookup habits, and community report databases can still tell you a lot about an unknown number before you pick up.
Fake Prize and Sweepstakes Scams: Why Real Winners Never Pay to Claim
"You've won!" calls and texts promising lottery jackpots or Publishers Clearing House-style prizes are scams designed to extract fees and personal data. Here's how they work.