Silent Voicemail Scam Is Growing

Silent voicemail scams are becoming more common. Victims receive voicemail alerts even though their phones never ring. The messages are usually blank and come from changing phone numbers. Many people become confused when the calls keep repeating every 20 to 30 minutes.

Mike from Westport, Connecticut, recently experienced this problem. He said his phone kept receiving silent voicemails from different numbers. Every time he blocked one number, another appeared. The messages contained no sound at all.

How the Scam Works

Scammers use automated robocall systems and caller ID spoofing tools. These systems place quick calls using fake or recycled numbers. The connection ends almost immediately and leaves an empty voicemail behind.

The scammers want people to call back. A return call may connect victims to premium-rate lines or scam call centers. In some cases, scammers only want to confirm that a phone number is active. Once they verify the number, they may target it with more spam calls later.

The changing numbers make blocking difficult. Spoofing software can generate new caller IDs constantly. Although the activity feels suspicious, it usually does not mean the phone has been hacked. Most cases involve large robocall campaigns.

How to Protect Yourself

Do not call back silent voicemails from unknown numbers. Real callers usually leave a clear message explaining why they contacted you.

You can also activate spam protection features on your phone. iPhone users can enable Silence Unknown Callers and other call screening options in Settings. Samsung users can turn on Caller ID and spam protection in the Phone app settings. Features like Bixby Text Call can also help screen suspicious calls.

Some spam voicemails may still get through because voicemail systems depend partly on mobile carriers. Call-blocking apps and carrier protections can still reduce many unwanted calls. If the problem continues, report it to the Federal Trade Commission and register your number with the National Do Not Call Registr.