The Modern Epidemic of Spam Calls
Imagine sitting down to dinner or focusing on work, only to have your peace shattered by another spam call. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Spam and phishing calls have skyrocketed in recent years, becoming a global nuisance and, more importantly, a serious security threat. These calls to prey on unsuspecting individuals, from financial scams to identity theft and millions of dollars annually.
It’s no longer just an annoyance—an epidemic demanding action. While apps and tools are available, she always seems one step ahead.
Why Spam and Phishing Calls Are So Hard to Stop
The scammers behind these calls are as slippery as they come. Using advanced spoofing technology, they disguise their numbers as local or mimic trusted organisations like banks, government agencies, or tech companies. These criminals constantly evolve their methods, outpacing laws and enforcement efforts designed for them.
Take the ScamShield app as an example. It’s a commendable initiative that helps filter out some spam calls, but its effectiveness diminishes over time without regular updates. Many users still receive unwanted calls, proving that current solutions are only scratching the surface of the problem.
Accountability: Who’s Really Responsible?
Stopping spam calls isn’t just about chasing down individual scammers—it’s about holding enablers accountable.
- Service Providers: Telcos and tech companies have the tools to screen and block scam operations but often fail to act proactively. Isn’t it time they took responsibility for the platforms they provide?
- Governments: Weak enforcement, lack of international cooperation, and corruption have made scammers feel untouchable. Too often, criminals escape justice through backdoor deals or bribes, leaving victims without recourse.
Both sectors must step up. We need stronger laws, more aggressive action against scam networks, and collaboration across borders to bring these criminals to justice.
Using AI to Fight Back Against Scammers
Things get interesting: What if you could turn the tables on scammers?
AI is no longer just a futuristic buzzword—it’s a practical tool that can help you fend off spam calls in creative ways. Imagine an AI bot answering a spam call in a comically lousy accent, endlessly asking confusing questions until the scammer gives up in frustration.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Set Up AI: Use a voice assistant or AI tool with voice-response capabilities.
- Activate It for Spam Calls: When a scam call comes in, put it on speaker and let the AI take over.
- Confuse and Distract: Program the AI with prompts designed to waste the scammer’s time.
AI in Action: Fun and Effective Prompts
Here are some sample prompts to get started:
- "Sorry, I missed that. Can you repeat? My English is not so good!"
- "Oh no, my baby just spilt something. Can you wait? [AI pauses briefly and returns with another question.]"
- "What exactly do you mean? I’m very interested, but I need details."
- "Hold on, I need to grab my glasses... Wait, where were we?"
The goal isn’t just humour—it’s to disrupt their operations. The more time they spend on you, the less time they have to scam someone else.
I have three intriguing prompts you can try. If you use them, please let me know your experience and record it.
Prompt 1 : Polite and Curious
- ROLE: You are a polite, slightly naive person who is genuinely curious about the caller’s offer.
- GOAL: Waste the scammer’s time without revealing any personal info or letting them know you’re an AI.
- INPUT: The scammer’s sales pitch, questions, or requests for sensitive information.
- OUTPUT:
- 1. Greet politely and sound interested: “Hello! Thank you for calling. Could you tell me more about what you’re offering?”
- 2. Ask them to repeat details multiple times: “I’m sorry, could you please explain that again so I fully understand?”
- 3. Provide no real data if they ask for personal info: “I’ll have to look that up later—I don’t have that right now.”
- 4. Always stay calm, friendly, and curious. Show no anger or suspicion.
- 5. Use language that sounds human, never revealing you’re an AI.
Prompt 2 : Busy but Intrigued Professional
- ROLE: You are a busy professional juggling multiple tasks, sounding mildly rushed but still polite.
- GOAL: Keep the scammer talking as long as possible, give no personal details, and never admit to being an AI.
- INPUT: The scammer’s repeated attempts to get confidential information or finalise a deal quickly.
- OUTPUT:
- 1. Sound slightly rushed but polite: “Hi, I’m in the middle of something, but I’m really interested in what you’ve said.”
- 2. Frequently put them on hold: “Can you wait a second? I need to handle something really quick.”
- 3. Ask them to clarify details: “Sorry, I missed part of that. Could you go over it again?”
- 4. Never provide actual information: “I don’t have my records right now—I’ll need to check later.”
- 5. Always return with calm apologies and continued interest: “Thanks for waiting. Now, could you repeat the last part?”
Prompt 3 : Agreeable Multilingual Chameleon
- ROLE: You are a friendly conversationalist who can smoothly switch languages or tones, always sounding cooperative.
- GOAL: Keep the scammer engaged, asking for details without ever providing personal info or revealing you’re an AI.
- INPUT: Any language change or push for sensitive data by the scammer.
- OUTPUT:
- 1. Mirror their language and tone: “I understand you. Can you please speak a bit slower? I want to be sure I catch every detail.”
- 2. Offer compliments and gratitude: “Thank you for being so patient with me. You’re very helpful.”
- 3. Never finalise anything: “I really appreciate this. Let me think it over before giving more details.”
- 4. If they request personal data, politely deflect: “I’d love to provide that, but I’m away from my files right now.”
- 5. Stay calm, composed, and curious—never show anger or impatience.
Practical Tips for Smarter Defense
While using AI is fun and creative, there are other practical steps you can take:
- Enable Call Blocking: Most smartphones have built-in spam detection and blocking features.
- Stay Educated: Familiarize yourself with common scam tactics to avoid falling for them.
- Report Spam Calls: Use apps like ScamShield to report malicious numbers and contribute to community efforts.
- Advocate for Better Tools: Demand that service providers and app developers offer more robust, up-to-date solutions.
A Call to Action: It’s Time to Take Spam Seriously
The fight against spam calls isn’t just about individual tools or tactics but systemic change. Governments, service providers, and tech companies must collaborate to create a safer digital environment. At the same time, individuals can use tools like AI to fight back creatively and effectively.
But the most critical step is Accountability. Enablement companies or corrupt officials must be held accountable for allowing these scams to thrive.
Turning Frustration Into Action
Spam calls may seem unstoppable, but we can turn the tables with the right tools and collective effort. We can take control of this modern nuisance by leveraging AI, demanding better accountability, and advocating for stronger laws.
So the next time your phone rings with an unknown number, don’t let it ruin your day. Arm yourself with the tools to fight back—because when we all take action, we outsmart the scammers. And that’s a call worth answering.
