This article is for educational purposes only. Signing up for spam calls can invade your privacy and expose you to scams and harassment. We strongly advise against using these methods. We are not responsible for any issues that arise from following this guide. The information here aims to educate and inform; any actions taken based on this content are your responsibility.
Now, let us get into how to sign up for spam calls.
Spam calls and texts are a growing bother, and while most people look for ways to reduce them, some may have valid reasons for wanting to receive them, like testing spam filters, research, or even just for fun. Though signing up for spam calls is generally not advisable due to privacy and security risks, this guide will explain how it might be done for educational or research purposes. We will cover the reasons, risks, and a step-by-step process to help you understand how one might go about it
What are Spam Calls?
Lisa, a 45-year-old marketing manager, began receiving a lot of spam calls offering fake services and deals. Things took a serious turn when she received a call from someone posing as her bank's fraud department. The caller, who had detailed information about her transactions, tricked Lisa into providing personal details for identity verification. This led to suspicious activity on her bank account and revealed she had been scammed. Lisa had to take immediate action by reporting the fraud, securing her accounts, and changing her phone number.
Lisa's story exemplifies how spam calls can be more than just a nuisance. Spam calls, also known as robocalls, are unsolicited phone calls that aim to sell products, or services, or commit scams. They are often made using automated systems, with no human voice on the other end, and can be incredibly irritating.
These calls come from different sources, including telemarketers, debt collectors, political campaigns, and fraudulent entities. While some spam calls are merely annoying, others can be dangerous, as they may involve phishing or identity theft. The persistent nature of these calls, especially when coming from unknown or changing numbers, complicates the process of identifying and avoiding them.
Why Sign Up for Spam Calls?
So, you might be wondering, if spam calls are this risky, why would anyone want to sign up for spam calls? Well, there are some valid reasons behind this seemingly odd choice.
- Conducting Research. Academics or analysts might use spam calls to study spammers' tactics and patterns. This can help in understanding and combating spam more effectively.
- Testing Call-Blocking Technology. Developers and researchers may subscribe to spam calls to evaluate how well call-blocking and spam-filtering tools work, enhancing these technologies to better protect users.
- Training and Skill Development: Professionals in customer service or fraud prevention might use spam calls as a training tool. It helps them learn how to handle and recognize fraudulent communications.
- Practical Testing of Apps: Those developing or testing call-blocking apps might sign up for spam calls to assess how effectively their apps can filter out unwanted calls.
- Entertainment or Curiosity: Some individuals might find it amusing or interesting to engage with spam calls. They might enjoy the unpredictability or challenge of handling these calls.
- Pranking Friends: Sometimes, people sign up their friends for spam calls as a joke. It is meant to be humorous when the friend's phone receives numerous calls from unknown numbers.
- Observing Spam Patterns: Researchers or analysts might need to witness spam call behaviors to analyze trends and develop strategies to mitigate their impact.
How to Sign Up for spam calls?
You can sign up for spam calls without compromising your security by taking some careful steps. Follow these simple ways to protect your privacy and stay within legal limits while registering for spam call services.
1. Use Automatic Number Identification (AIN)
One way you can get a phone number added to spam call lists is by dialing toll-free numbers such as 800, 888, or 900. When you call these numbers, the Automatic Number Identification system captures and records your phone number. This information is then sold to telemarketing companies, which use it to target you with unwanted calls. By simply making a call to one of these toll-free numbers, you might find your number being shared and repeatedly called by various marketers.
2. Post Online Ads
You can also create a flood of unwanted calls by posting online ads with someone’s phone number or your number. By listing an appealing offer or item at an extremely low price on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, you can attract many interested buyers. When the ad goes live, the number provided will be picked up by various individuals and automated systems, leading to a surge of spam calls. This method is effective and free, but be mindful that it can be intrusive and might annoy the person whose number is used.
3. Subscribe to Free Trials and Surveys
Registering for free trials and prize giveaways often requires you to provide personal details like your phone number and email address. Many of these websites are scams designed to collect your contact information. Once they have it, they will frequently call to inform you that you have not won but could win in the future, and they will keep you updated about other offers. Online surveys operate similarly, asking for your contact info under the pretense of offering rewards. This information is often sold to telemarketers and spammers, resulting in persistent sales and promotion calls.
4. Leave your phone number in public profiles
A lot of people usually share their phone numbers on public profiles like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or on social media comments. Doing this can lead to an increase in spam calls. If you post the target phone number on a public profile, it heightens the risk of receiving unsolicited calls and messages from telemarketers or strangers. This exposure makes it easier for spam callers to get in touch.
5. Register to Spam Sites
There are several websites where you can register a phone number to receive spam calls. Here are some examples:
- Wackyprankcalls.com. Wackyprankcalls.com is a website that allows users to send prank calls to others. The site offers pre-recorded prank call scenarios that users can choose from and send to a target phone number.
- Blowupthephone.com. Blowupthephone allows users to send a large number of prank texts and calls to any phone number, choosing the quantity and frequency. This site is typically used to flood a target number with excessive spam messages and calls.
- Easyprank.com. This site is great for making numerous prank calls to a target, but it does not conceal your number, which can compromise your privacy. To maintain anonymity, you can use a different number while using the web interface to initiate calls and sign the target up for spam.
- Callbomber.in. Call Bomber is a prank tool that sends multiple random calls to a chosen number. Simply enter the number, agree to the terms, and click the prank button. It works worldwide without needing a country code and is free and user-friendly.
- PrankOwl.com. This site lets users send prank calls and messages to their friends and family. It offers both a free version with ads and a premium option, featuring various pre-recorded pranks and customizable caller IDs and voices.
- PrankDial.com. PrankDial is a fun site for making prank calls, but it is not available in every country.
6. Give your number to Telemarketers
At times, we unknowingly share our phone numbers with telemarketers by posting them on public profiles or accepting terms and conditions without reading them carefully. Organizations, such as credit bureaus and charities, may sell your information, and websites related to banks or insurance often engage in telemarketing. Even opting out of telemarketing lists on sites like the “National Do Not Call Registry” might ironically lead to more spam calls. Many websites often sell data to telemarketers, who then use it to make unsolicited calls.
Safety precautions when signing up for spam calls
Signing up for spam calls comes with a lot of risks, so it is important to take safety precautions. Here are some tips:
- When signing up for services or entering contests, use a temporary or secondary phone number instead of your primary one.
- Use call screening features to filter calls and avoid answering unknown or suspicious numbers.
- Read the terms and conditions carefully to ensure you know what you are agreeing to, including how your information might be used.
- Be aware of how often you might receive calls or messages and if there are limits on the number of communications.
- Check the credibility of the website or service. Avoid sites with poor reviews or those that seem suspicious.
How to identify a Spam Call?
While many phone scams are easy to recognize, they are becoming increasingly complex, making it harder to detect fraudsters. Scammers often use caller ID spoofing to appear as if they are calling from a local or legitimate number, so be aware of common warning signs to identify a scam.
- If you receive a call with a pre-recorded message instead of a live person, it may be a scam, though some robocalls are legitimate like appointment reminders or debt collection.
- Request for Personal Information. Scammers often ask for sensitive details such as Social Security numbers or bank account information, which legitimate organizations typically won't request over the phone.
- Unknown or Spoofed Numbers: Calls from unfamiliar numbers, especially those that appear to be from your number or have unusual area codes, can indicate a scam.
- Requests for Payment: Scammers frequently ask for payment through gift cards, cryptocurrencies, or payment apps, which are untraceable and not typically requested by legitimate entities.
- Urgent or Threatening Messages: Scammers may create a false sense of urgency or use threats to pressure you into quick action, like claiming you have won a prize or facing legal consequences.
FAQs
Q. Is it legal to sign up someone else for spam calls?
It is generally illegal and unethical to sign up someone else for spam calls without their consent. This practice can be considered harassment or a violation of privacy laws, depending on your location.
Q. How can I block spam calls effectively?
You can block spam calls by using call-blocking apps available for your smartphone, enabling built-in call-blocking features provided by your carrier, or manually blocking numbers through your phone’s settings.
Q. What should I do If I get a spam call?
If you receive a spam call, avoid answering or engaging with the caller, and hang up immediately. Block the number, report the call to your carrier or regulatory agency, and use call-blocking apps to reduce future spam calls.
Conclusion
Subscribing to spam calls might seem like a good way to explore communication boundaries, but it is important to handle it responsibly. While this guide outlines methods to sign up for spam calls, remember that using someone's number without permission is illegal and unethical, potentially leading to serious consequences. Engaging in such activities can breach privacy and trust, and understanding the legal risks is crucial. Always consider the impact on others and respect privacy when dealing with spam calls and texts.
