How Many Spam Phone Calls Are There in the USA?
Spam phone calls, also known as scam calls, have become a serious issue in the United States. According to a study conducted by Ben Treanor from Time2play, the average American receives 3 to 4 spam calls per day. These calls can cause significant harm, both financially and emotionally.
With millions of phone numbers in circulation worldwide, scammers have a large pool to target. In the U.S., many cases of successful scam calls have been reported. In 2022 alone, an estimated $8.8 billion was lost due to phone scams, as reported by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
In this article, we will explore the scale of spam calls in the U.S., the damage they cause, and how to recognize and protect yourself from these scams.
Key Spam Call Statistics
- 55% of phone calls are estimated to be spam.
- 46 billion robocalls were identified in the U.S. in 2020.
- The global average for scam calls is 18 calls per person per month.
- 28% of scammers use personal information to trick potential victims.
- In 2021, an Indian scam group made over 200 million scam calls, attempting over 27,000 scams per hour.
The Growth of Spam Phone Calls
Spam calls have been growing rapidly. In 2022, Americans lost approximately $87 billion to robocalls and phone scams, a 116% increase from the previous year. A total of 86 million robocalls were reported.
Globally, phone fraud and identity theft have also reached record levels. Hiya’s Global Call Threat Report 2022 showed that there were 7.5 billion phone scam instances in just the last three months of 2022, with Europe facing the largest increase.
To combat the surge of international scam calls infiltrating U.S. phone networks, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mandated the adoption of STIR/SHAKEN, an industry-standard caller ID authentication technology. This is part of their effort to protect consumers from robocalls.
What Is Phone Spoofing?
Phone number spoofing allows scammers to manipulate caller ID information to display false details. Knowing that people tend to avoid answering calls from toll-free numbers, scammers use spoofing to make their calls appear local, increasing the likelihood of the call being answered.
While spoofing itself is legal in the U.S., it becomes illegal if used to scam or cause harm. The FCC’s Truth in Caller ID Act prohibits transmitting misleading caller ID information with the intent to defraud, harm, or unlawfully obtain something of value.
If your number is spoofed, you may receive a flood of angry callback messages from people believing you initiated the spam call. While setting up a voicemail to explain the situation may not stop the calls, it can help prevent confusion and reduce the likelihood of victims falling for a scam.
How Much Is Lost to Spam Calls?
According to a study by Truecaller and The Harris Poll, Americans lost an alarming $39.5 billion to phone scams in 2021. This was the highest amount recorded since Truecaller began tracking spam calls in the U.S. eight years ago.
The average loss per scam call in 2021 was $567.41, a significant increase from 2020, when the average was $182 per call. This represents a 212% increase in the financial impact of each scam.
Scammers use various tactics to increase their earnings from unsuspecting victims.
Common Scam Call Tactics
Scammers employ a range of techniques to trick victims into giving them money. Some of the most common methods include:
- IRS Scams – Scammers impersonate IRS agents, demanding payments for fabricated debts or unpaid taxes.
- Phishing Scams – Scammers claim to be from well-known tech companies like Microsoft or Google and trick victims into downloading malicious software to steal personal information.
- Free Rewards Scams – Victims are told they’ve won free vacation packages or prizes but must pay fees to claim the reward.
These tactics rely on creating urgency and authority to pressure victims into acting quickly. Many scam calls are backed by aggressive telemarketing, misinformation, and threats to personal safety.
Where Do Scam Calls Originate?
Scam calls come from various regions around the world. In the U.S., telemarketing and student loan scam calls are common. In June, the FTC took action against robocalls, cracking down on 94 different scam operations.
Many of these calls originate from states like Florida and California, targeting consumers with interest rate reduction, weight loss, and medical alert scams.
Internationally, travel scams are common in countries like Guatemala, Mexico, and Costa Rica, while IRS and social security scams are often traced back to India.
In June 2021 alone, Americans received 4.4 billion robocalls, averaging about 13 calls per person. Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, and New York were the states receiving the highest volume of robocalls.
States Most Affected by Spam Calls
RoboKiller’s 2021 Phone Scam Insights reveal that certain states bear the brunt of spam calls. Unsurprisingly, the most affected states are also some of the most populous. The top five states receiving the most spam calls are:
- Texas
- Georgia
- California
- New York
- Florida
However, when considering the number of spam calls per person, Arkansas leads the list with an average of 383 calls per resident, closely followed by Texas with 372.
Conclusion
Spam calls are a widespread problem affecting millions of people in the U.S. and around the world. As the number of scam calls continues to rise, scammers are finding more sophisticated ways to deceive their victims.
Understanding how these scams operate and recognizing the warning signs can help you protect yourself from falling victim to these fraudulent calls. Stay informed, vigilant, and proactive in safeguarding your personal and financial information.
