I don’t know anyone not being inundated lately with spam calls on their mobile devices. One simple solution is to block the caller’s number. However, these companies can change the phone number each time they call, so the number is constantly different. Last week I received 4 calls from China! Three were the same number and I put a block on it, but then a fourth came and it was a slightly different number so I had to block it as well. There are apps that you can install which check a database of numbers searching for ones reported as nuisance numbers. Per usual, there are free and paid for apps. Start with a free one and see if it can give you some peace. Here are a couple of options:
TrueCaller – iOS and Android – The app offers caller ID and blocks unwanted calls and text messages.
Hiya – iOS and Android – This app was spun off of whitepages.com.
Norton Mobile Security – If you have a subscription, this app offers call blocking features along with other security tasks.
RoboKiller – This app is for getting back at the spammers! It automatically answers and uses bots to keep the caller on the line, wasting their time.
Tip of the month – Google Tricks
Here are a few fun Google tricks that you probably haven’t tried:
Use Google to calculate a tip! – Search “tip calculator”
Use Google as a timer and stopwatch – Enter “set timer for 15 minutes”
Use OR as an operator to find 2 different things at once – example – “iPhone or Android”
Adjust your ad settings – here are instructions on how to change the ads you see. The option is getting ads that aren’t relevant, or at least seeing ads that you may be interested in. Unfortunately, ads will be there one way or another!
Go to your Google Account.
On the left navigation panel, click Data & personalization.
On the Ad personalization panel, click Go to ad settings.
Turn on Ad Personalization if it’s off.
Under “How your ads are personalized,” select your personal info or interests. To update your info, select Update.
