North Carolina residents continue to be bombarded by robocalls at one of the highest rates in the country, according to federal data, even as regulators push new consumer protections.
The Department of Justice estimates that roughly 200 million robocalls are made in North Carolina every month. That volume means the average resident receives dozens of unwanted calls each year, many of them tied to scams or fraudulent schemes.
Federal regulators say consumers should be especially cautious about calls from unfamiliar numbers.
The Federal Communications Commission warns people not to answer suspicious calls, never to press buttons to “opt out”—which can confirm a number is active—and to avoid sharing personal information with anyone who calls unexpectedly.
If a caller claims to represent a government agency or a well-known company, regulators recommend hanging up and dialing the official number independently to verify the claim.
The FCC is also encouraging consumers to use call-blocking tools, many of which are offered for free through wireless carriers or available as third-party apps. People who continue to receive robocalls or scam texts are urged to file complaints with the FCC, which uses those reports to identify and shut down illegal operations.
Consumers who want to reduce legitimate telemarketing calls can also register their numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry.