The AARP is a US interest group that issues advice on various topics to millions of older Americans. The size of the AARP audience means it is worth taking a look at the one-minute video they produced on how to avoid illegal robocalls. Their four tips can be summarized as:
- Do not answer the call if the number is unknown
- If you do pick up the call, do not respond to the automated message in any way
- Even if you did not understand the last suggestion, never speak to a person
- Do not trust the call based on the incoming number displayed
In some ways, these are sensible recommendations. In other ways, you might as well train old people to never pick up their phones again. Comms providers should take note of the implications for them: fewer calls being connected, and less revenue being earned. That means it is good business sense for telcos to be proactive in preventing robocalls, and they also need to give free anti-spam tools to customers so organizations like the AARP start recommending their use as well.
The AARP video on how to avoid illegal robocalls can be played below.
