Robocalls and the role of the regulator

A LOT of Nigerian must have experienced robocalls on their phone at one time or the other, technology is the reason. Companies are using auto-dialers that bombard customers with massive sales pitches for unwanted services.

The question to ask is what the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) is doing about these phone companies that allow their platform to be used to harass their customers.

Has the NCC taught about making the phone company open a DO NOT CALL registry for customers, and enlightening the customers on how to get on it.

A robocall is a phone call that uses a computerized auto dialer to deliver a pre-recorded message, as if from a robot. Robocall are often associated with political and telemarketing phone campaigns, but can also be used for public-service or emergency announcements. Some robocalls use personalized audio messages to simulate an actual personal phone call.

If you answer the phone and hear a recorded message instead of a live person, it’s a robocall.  We’ve seen a significant increase in the number of illegal robocalls because internet-powered phone systems have made it cheap and easy for scammers to make illegal calls from anywhere in the world, and to hide from law enforcement by displaying fake caller ID information.

How does call-barring work? The technology uses computer programs to check and block incoming phone numbers against a list of confirmed spammers, or it requires callers to confirm they are humans before giving you the choice to connect the call. Technology exists that can stop illegal robocalls before they reach you, but few consumers have access to it.

The major phone companies are dragging their feet claiming they can’t legally block calls to most phone lines, offering blocking only to certain Internet-based phone customers.

Barring calls is also a good means by which you can reduce or stop robocalls; here are some quick facts about barring calls: Barring is a term that refers to a service that prevents certain calls from being made or received When a barring is activated or deactivated, a barring password is required.

The default barring code id “0000” To change the barring code, dial **03*330* old barring code *new barring code* new barring code # send (glo). Barring cannot be set up when diverts are active Barring affects voice calls, SMS, specifically for the numbers that has been barred Ways to stop Robocalls.

Sign up for the Do Not Call list with your network provider By Simply Text UNSUB HEALTH OR BEAUTY then send to 4040 (glo) or call your network provider customer service line to be directly removed from the unwanted robocall service. Telemarketers who violate the list face hefty fines.

Political campaigns, charities and surveys may still contact your landline, even if it is on the list. Companies may also call you if you’ve given them written consent to do so. Take Action Subscribe to a call-blocking service. Barring services are starting to emerge.

The call barring service is now available to consumers of carriers like MTN, Airtel, Etisalat and Glo which allows you to restrict or bar certain or all types of calls coming into your mobile phone.

Also, Consider a call-barring device if your telephone service does not support a call-barring service, you may want to consider downloading applications that block calls If you have a Smartphone, from unwanted numbers. Alternatively, try your Smartphone’s call-barring function.