How to Hack a $1.3T Market

Forget concrete. The new foundation for real estate success is digital, and Pacaso leads the way. Their tech unlocks a $1.3T real estate market. They've already earned $110M+ in gross profits in their operating history and reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

One Tech Tip: Getting a lot of unwanted phone calls? Here are ways to stop them

KELVIN CHAN
February 27, 2025

LONDON (AP) -- Unwanted phone calls are out of control. Whether it's a robocall trying to sell you something or spam calls from scammers trying to rip you off, it's enough to make you want to stop answering your phone. So what can you do to stop them?

The scourge of unwanted phone calls has been branded an epidemic by consumer groups, while the Federal Communications Commission says it's the top consumer complaint. The calls are a nuisance to many ordinary people, some of whom have complained to The Associated Press.

"I need help on getting spam calls to stop," one reader said in an email. She's getting up to 14 calls a day despite the countermeasures she's employed.

As the name implies, robocalls are automated calls to deliver recorded messages to a large number of phones. A robocall purely to deliver a message or collect a debt is allowed under U.S. regulations, but the Federal Trade Commission says robocalls with a recorded voice trying to sell you something are illegal unless you've given explicit written permission to receive them. Many robocalls are also probably scams, the FTC warns.

If you're flooded by unsolicited calls, here are some ways to fight back.

Phone settings

Smartphone users can turn on some built-in settings to combat unknown calls.

Apple advises iPhone users to turn on the Silence Unknown Callers feature. Go to your "Settings," then scroll down to "Apps," and then to "Phone," where you'll see it under the "Calls" section. When you turn this on, any calls from numbers that you've never been in touch with and aren't saved in your contacts list will not ring through. Instead, they'll be sent to voicemail and show up in your list of recent calls.

Android has a similar setting that allows you to block calls from private or unidentified numbers, although you will still receive calls from numbers that aren't stored in your contact list.

Just keep in mind that you could also end up not getting important calls, which sometimes come from unknown numbers.

If an unwanted call does get through, both Android and iPhone users can block the individual phone number by tapping on it in the recent callers or call history list. You can also enter numbers directly into your phone's block list.

Do not call

Sign up for the national Do Not Call registry, which is a list of numbers that have opted out of most telemarketing calls. The Federal Trade Commission, which runs the registry, says it only contains phone numbers and holds no other personally identifiable information, nor does the registry know whether the number is for a landline or a cellphone.

The FTC says there are some exemptions, including political calls, calls from non-profit groups and charities, and legitimate survey groups that aren't selling anything. Also allowed are calls from companies up to 18 months after you've done -- or sought to do -- business with them.

But it also warns that while having your number on the registry will cut down on unwanted sales calls, it won't stop scammers from making illegal calls.

Other countries have similar registries. Canada has its own Do Not Call list while the U.K. has the Telephone Preference Service.

Carrier filters

Check whether your wireless carrier has a call-blocking service. Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T, three of the biggest U.S. networks, all have their own call filters for customers to block robocalls and report spam. There's typically a free basic version and an advanced version that requires a subscription fee.

Try an app

If your phone company's filters aren't good enough, try third-party apps to weed out unwanted callers.

There are a host of smartphone apps available that promise to block spam calls, like Nomorobo, YouMail, Hiya, RoboKiller, TrueCaller and others. Many charge a monthly or annual subscription fee but some offer a free basic option. Some also can be installed on landline phones, but only if they use VOIP technology, not copper cables.

The Associated Press hasn't tested any of these apps and isn't making specific recommendations. We recommend you read user reviews and try some out for yourself.

Apple says the apps work by comparing a caller's number with a list of known numbers and labeling them, for example, spam or telemarketing. Then it might automatically block the call. "Incoming calls are never sent to third-party developers," the company says.

Report calls

Did you know you can file a complaint with the FCC about specific spam calls? You can do so easily through an online form. It might not give you immediate satisfaction, but the National Consumer Law Center says data on complaints is the best tool federal agencies have for determining how big a problem robocalls are.

Just say no

While companies you've done business with can make robocalls to you, the National Consumer Law Center says it's probably because you gave consent - possibly hidden in fine print. But you can also revoke your consent at any time.

Just tell the company representative that you want to "revoke consent," and if that doesn't stop them, contact customer service and tell them that you don't consent to receive calls and want your number added to the company's "do not call" list, the center says.

Hang up

You might be tempted to try to engage with the call in an attempt to get your number off the call list or be put through to a real person. The FTC warns against doing this and recommends that you just hang up.

"Pressing numbers to speak to someone or remove you from the list will probably only lead to more robocalls," the agency says on its advice page. "And the number on your caller ID probably isn't real. Caller ID is easy to fake" and can't be trusted, it says.

Cybersecurity company Kaspersky advises not even saying anything when you receive what you think is a robocall. We've all received scammy calls that start with something like "Hello, can you hear me?" to which you've probably replied "yes" without thinking.

Scammers "can then store the recording of your confirmation and use it for fraudulent activities," Kaspersky says. "So, avoid saying yes where possible."

___

Is there a tech topic that you think needs explaining? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your suggestions for future editions of One Tech Tip.

Continue Reading...

Popular

Trump keeps saying the GOP mega bill will eliminate taxes on Social Security. It does not

WASHINGTON (AP) — President keeps saying that Republicans' mega legislation will eliminate taxes on federal benefits.

Marjorie Taylor Greene: 'Muslim Takeover' Threatens American Women

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has expressed her fears regarding what she believes to be the most significant threat to the freedom of American women.

Copper's Rally Is Back. This $31M Junior Is Sitting on a Potential Fortune - Ad

A high-grade copper-gold discovery in Quebec just delivered extremely high grade intercepts. Valuation? Just $31M. With copper breaking out, the timing here could be perfect. Get the symbol here.

BigBear.ai, AMD, QuantumScape, Coinbase, Tesla: Why These 5 Stocks Are On Investors' Radars Today

U.S. stocks ended the day on a high note, with the Nasdaq gaining over 1.4% on Tuesday to 19,912.53. The Dow also traded up 1.2% to 43,089.02, while the S&P 500 rose by 1.1% to 6,092.18. These are the top stocks that gained the attention of retail traders and investors throughout the day:

Mystery Seller Behind $105 Million Plot Next to Jeff Bezos Estate Finally Revealed

A plot of land neighboring Jeff Bezos' property in Miami was sold for a staggering $105 million. The undeveloped lot was sold by German investor Mikhail Peleg.

Gold Just Hit Another Record. This Junior Could Be Next. - Ad

This copper junior was the smallest company invited to a top global mining conference. With nearly 1B pounds CuEq and 50,000m of funded drilling, this story won't stay quiet for long.

This Stock Just Popped 30% In 5 Days — Now Expert Says It 'Looks Potentially Explosive'

Experts have been betting on the growth prospects of Oscar Health, as it surged by 16.51% on Wednesday and 32.56% in the last five days.

Goldman Just Launched Two New Bond ETFs; Here's Why Investors Should Pay Attention

Goldman Sachs Asset Management debuts two new actively managed fixed income ETFs in response to rising demand for active strategies in a volatile rate landscape.

The Tesla Shock Nobody Sees Coming - Ad

While headlines scream "Tesla is doomed"...Jeff Brown has uncovered a revolutionary AI breakthrough buried inside Tesla's labs. One that is helping AI escape from our computer screens and manifest itself here in the real world all while creating a 25,000% growth market explosion starting as early as July 23rd.

Outrage Mounts Over Trump's Appointment of 22-Year-Old to Terrorism Unit Amid Iran Crisis

In a move that has drawn widespread criticism, President Donald Trump has appointed 22-year-old Thomas Fugate to a critical terrorism-prevention role, amidst rising tensions with Iran.

Sig Sauer, faced with lawsuits over a popular pistol, gets protection in New Hampshire

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Faced with mounting lawsuits over a popular pistol, New Hampshire-based Sig Sauer asked for — and got — protection in the form of a new state law that makes it harder to .

Copper's Spiking - And This Junior Has the Grades to Match - Ad

Copper is climbing again - and this time, it looks tariff-proof. A $31M junior just posted nearly 1B lbs of copper equivalent. With insiders and institutions piling in, this could be the next breakout.

T-Mobile Stock (TMUS) Plunges After SoftBank's $4.8B Share Sale: Report

T-Mobile stock is down over 4% after SoftBank reportedly sold $4.8 billion in shares at a discount. This major share sale by a key investor is contributing significantly to the stock's decline Tuesday.

The Missing Ingredient for Big Tech's $3T Recipe? - Ad

Big Tech doesn't build everything; they buy what's next. And only Emteq's tech offers real behavior insights for smart glasses, key to unlocking the $3T XR market. Their patented sensors track live facial muscle movements. With health-focused smart glasses in demand, only Emteq has this tech.

Trump Has 'Already Won' By Dodging Accountability In Fed Showdown, Says Apollo's Jim Zelter

According to Jim Zelter of Apollo Global Management, President Donald Trump has already set the stage for passing the blame.

FDA Submission Expected This Summer - Invest Before It Happens - Ad

This company is making heart disease easier to detect with AI. Their tech has officially been designated a "Breakthrough" by the FDA. You now have an opportunity to get in at a potential inflection point.

US job openings in May hit 7.8 million in a continuing display of labor market resilience

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. job openings rose unexpectedly in May, a sign that the American labor market t in the face of high borrowing costs and uncertainty over U.S. economic policy.

The Unlikely Duo Rethinking Wearable Technology - Ad

Why did a surgeon and Snap exec team up? They saw the missing ingredient in the $84T wearables market: behavior. So they built Emteq and invented smart glasses sensors to track real-time expressions, unlocking insights into why we do things. With a $15M term sheet already secured, Emteq is what Big Tech's missing.

Canadian Prime Minister Carney says trade talks with US resume after Canada rescinded tech tax

TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said late Sunday trade talks with U.S. have resumed after Canada rescinded its plan to tax U.S. technology firms.

Hasbro Cuts 3% Of Global Workforce: Report

Toy company Hasbro Inc (NASDAQ:HAS) announced a workforce reduction on Tuesday as the company grapples with tariff impacts.

The Truth About Trump and Musk? - Ad

If you think there's something strange about the "feud" between Trump and Musk... You need to see THIS jaw-dropping video... Because it explains what could really be going on behind the scenes... And how it could hand investors a stake in a $12 trillion revolution.

Google's AI Overviews Features Sparks New Antitrust Battle With European Publishers: Report

An antitrust complaint was filed by a group of independent publishers from European Union against Google, alleging misuse of its AI Overviews.

US judge says China's Huawei Technologies must face criminal case for racketeering and other charges

BANGKOK (AP) — A U.S. judge has ruled that China’s Huawei Technologies, a leading telecoms equipment company, must face criminal charges in a wide reaching case alleging it stole technology and engaged in racketeering, wire and bank fraud and other crimes.

Back This Medical AI Tech - Ad

You don't often find healthcare tech company valued at $4M. HeartSciences is an exception. With $75M invested, including R&D, clinical trials, and product development, their patented AI software is approaching FDA submission, a potential major inflection point.

How to Hack a $1.3T Market - Ad

Forget concrete. The new foundation for real estate success is digital, and Pacaso leads the way. Their tech unlocks a $1.3T real estate market. They've already earned $110M+ in gross profits in their operating history and reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

DOGE-Fame 'Big Balls' Is Reportedly Leaving The Government Department Once Headed By Elon Musk — Dogecoin Price Rises

Another key figure at the Department of Government Efficiency, nicknamed “Big Balls”, has reportedly stepped down, following the exit of Elon Musk from the federal initiative meant to reduce wasteful spending.

Copper's Rally Is Back. This $31M Junior Is Sitting on a Potential Fortune - Ad

A high-grade copper-gold discovery in Quebec just delivered extremely high grade intercepts. Valuation? Just $31M. With copper breaking out, the timing here could be perfect. Get the symbol here.

Elon Musk renews his criticism of Trump's big bill as it faces a key Senate vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — on Saturday doubled down on his distaste for President sprawling tax and spending cuts bill, arguing the that Republican senators are scrambling to pass would kill jobs and bog down burgeoning industries.

Boeing Rises 2.8% After Key Trading Signal

A significant trading signal occurred for Boeing stock, as it demonstrated a power inflow at $209.02, after which BA rose up to 2.8%.

Gold Just Hit Another Record. This Junior Could Be Next. - Ad

This copper junior was the smallest company invited to a top global mining conference. With nearly 1B pounds CuEq and 50,000m of funded drilling, this story won't stay quiet for long.

Apple Has the Potential To Crush Meta's Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, Says Ming-Chi Kuo, But The Tech Giant Has Been 'Surprisingly Slow'

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple has the potential to surpass Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses, but notes the company's slow progress in this market could delay its dominance.

After Diddy's conviction, here's where his business ventures stand

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sean “Diddy” Combs has been in his federal sex trafficking trial, but that doesn't mean the once-celebrated music mogul will see his business empire restored.

The Tesla Shock Nobody Sees Coming - Ad

While headlines scream "Tesla is doomed"...Jeff Brown has uncovered a revolutionary AI breakthrough buried inside Tesla's labs. One that is helping AI escape from our computer screens and manifest itself here in the real world all while creating a 25,000% growth market explosion starting as early as July 23rd.

Trending Now

Information, charts or examples are for illustration and educational purposes only and not for individualized investment management This message contains commercial elements, such as advertising. We only send these offers to those who have opted in to our newsletter. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For these reasons we strongly suggest trading in a DEMO/Simulated account. The information provided by us is for educational and informational purposes only. We make no representations or warranties concerning the products, practices or procedures of any company or entity mentioned or recommended and have not determined if the statements and opinions of the advertiser are accurate, correct or truthful. If you use, act upon or make decisions in reliance on information contained or any external source linked within it, you do so at your own peril and agree to hold us, our officers, directors, shareholders, affiliates and agents without fault.

Copyright trendadvisor.net
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service