Make the robocalls stop!

Chances are you retrieved one of the 26 billion robocalls made last year. We discuss robocalls, what's being done to stop them, and how to protect yourself.

Listen 49:31
Unknown number calling in the middle of the night. Phone call from stranger. Person holding mobile and smartphone in bedroom bed home late. Unexpected call woke up.

Unknown number calling in the middle of the night. Phone call from stranger. Person holding mobile and smartphone in bedroom bed home late. Unexpected call woke up.

Guests: Raymond Huahonh Tu, Doug Shadel

When you get a call from an unfamiliar number with your same area code, chances are you’ve learned not to answer it at this point. That’s because you’ve probably received one of the 26 billion robocalls that were made last year. Whether they claim that your social security number has been suspended, or that they have information about your credit, or if it’s someone speaking in Chinese, we’ve all grown exhausted by the scams and spam that interrupt our day. Today on the show, we’re going to talk about the pervasiveness of robocalls, what the government and the telcom industry are doing to combat them, and what you can do to protect yourself. We’re joined by computer scientist RAYMOND HUAHONG TU, assistant clinical professor at the University of Maryland, and by DOUG SHADEL, State Director for AARP in Washington State who is an expert in how to detect and prevent financial exploitation.

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