On the other end of an automated recording sits Gary Sartler."Ope, they hung up," he said with a smirk after a spam call interrupted an interview with 12 News. "Didn't like me, maybe."Spam, or scam calls, flood Sartler's phone, about a half-dozen calls each day. Unfortunately, spam callers call virtually everyone, but no one seems to be as meticulous on the other end as Sartler."On the spreadsheet, there were 80 this morning," he said, sitting at his computer. His spreadsheet labeled "scam calls" has now grown to 388 as of Friday. Each day, he sends the list to the Federal Communications Commission. So far, no response."I want somebody to stop these calls," he said.Sartler has received so many calls that he's now forwarding all of his unanswered calls to the FCC.How can you stop them?Before your phone rings, Michelle Reinen, administrator of Wisconsin's Division of Trade and Consumer Protection, says be skeptical of who you're giving your phone number to." not fill out surveys, not enter contests and lotteries in different areas where you're going to be handing over your personal information, your phone number," she said.She also suggests you don't answer a call from someone you don't know."If you do answer the phone, don't press the buttons," she said. Or, call your phone provider to see what technology is available to stop them, all major carriers have some sort of blocking app. They are also required, by law, to block them.Verizon has Call Filter, AT&T has Active Armor, U.S. Cellular has Call Guardian, all are designed to stop scam calls. It is a little more difficult to stop them on a landline. Devices called "call blockers" are designed to stop the calls and sell from $30-100. They attach to phones and have potential spam numbers logged into them. "You continue to update it with the different phone numbers that are being used with different scams," Reinen said.If you are completely sick of the calls, and feel like nothing else works, you can get rid of all calls except from someone on your contact list. Then, if a person with a number who isn't on your contact list calls, they can leave a message for you to call back.On an iPhone click on settings, phone and toggle on the "silence unknown callers" feature. Android phones are a little different, but on most, go to settings, block numbers and toggle on "block calls from unknown numbers."Reinen also reminds people to login and check if they are on the "Do not call" registry, but the registry only stops legitimate telemarketers. Political calls are exempt from the registry.Sign up for the federal "Do not call" registry or verify your registration here."Are the majority of those calls coming from overseas?" asked investigative reporter James Stratton."It's hard to say because there are often money mules in the U.S. but our understanding, and work with the federal government, is yes. Most of those call centers and call rings are happening overseas," she said. File a complaint with Wisconsin DATCP about a spam call here. The state agency does work with state law enforcement and the Department of Justice to prosecute and stop scam callers, Reinen added.
On the other end of an automated recording sits Gary Sartler.
"Ope, they hung up," he said with a smirk after a spam call interrupted an interview with 12 News. "Didn't like me, maybe."
Spam, or scam calls, flood Sartler's phone, about a half-dozen calls each day. Unfortunately, spam callers call virtually everyone, but no one seems to be as meticulous on the other end as Sartler.
"On the spreadsheet, there were 80 this morning," he said, sitting at his computer.
His spreadsheet labeled "scam calls" has now grown to 388 as of Friday. Each day, he sends the list to the Federal Communications Commission. So far, no response.
"I want somebody to stop these calls," he said.
Sartler has received so many calls that he's now forwarding all of his unanswered calls to the FCC.
Before your phone rings, Michelle Reinen, administrator of Wisconsin's Division of Trade and Consumer Protection, says be skeptical of who you're giving your phone number to.
"[Do] not fill out surveys, not enter contests and lotteries in different areas where you're going to be handing over your personal information, your phone number," she said.
She also suggests you don't answer a call from someone you don't know.
"If you do answer the phone, don't press the buttons," she said.
Or, call your phone provider to see what technology is available to stop them, all major carriers have some sort of blocking app. They are also required, by law, to block them.
Verizon has Call Filter, AT&T has Active Armor, U.S. Cellular has Call Guardian, all are designed to stop scam calls.
It is a little more difficult to stop them on a landline. Devices called "call blockers" are designed to stop the calls and sell from $30-100. They attach to phones and have potential spam numbers logged into them.
"You continue to update it with the different phone numbers that are being used with different scams," Reinen said.
If you are completely sick of the calls, and feel like nothing else works, you can get rid of all calls except from someone on your contact list. Then, if a person with a number who isn't on your contact list calls, they can leave a message for you to call back.
On an iPhone click on settings, phone and toggle on the "silence unknown callers" feature. Android phones are a little different, but on most, go to settings, block numbers and toggle on "block calls from unknown numbers."
Reinen also reminds people to login and check if they are on the "Do not call" registry, but the registry only stops legitimate telemarketers. Political calls are exempt from the registry.
Sign up for the federal "Do not call" registry or verify your registration here.
"Are the majority of those calls coming from overseas?" asked investigative reporter James Stratton.
"It's hard to say because there are often money mules in the U.S. but our understanding, and work with the federal government, is yes. Most of those call centers and call rings are happening overseas," she said.
File a complaint with Wisconsin DATCP about a spam call here.
The state agency does work with state law enforcement and the Department of Justice to prosecute and stop scam callers, Reinen added.