How to Avoid Spam Calls and Protect Your Phone Number Online

Every time you enter your phone number online, you risk it ending up on spam lists. Robocalls, telemarketing, and scam calls have become a daily nuisance for millions of people. Here's how to fight back.

The Spam Call Epidemic

Americans received over 50 billion robocalls in 2023 alone. Once your number is on a spam list, it's nearly impossible to remove. The calls keep coming:

Fake warranty extensions
IRS scam calls
Credit card offers
Prize notifications
Tech support scams

How Your Number Gets on Spam Lists

Data Breaches

When companies get hacked, your phone number is often part of the stolen data. These numbers are sold on the dark web and used for spam campaigns.

Form Submissions

Many websites sell or share user data with third parties. That "free quote" you requested? It might come with hundreds of spam calls.

Social Media

Public profiles with visible phone numbers are scraped by bots and added to call lists.

Number Recycling

If you've had your number for years, it might have belonged to someone else who signed up for spam-prone services.

The Virtual Number Solution

Using a virtual phone number for online signups creates a buffer between your real identity and potential spam sources.

How It Works

Get a virtual number from OtherSIM
Use it when signing up for websites, apps, or services
Receive verification codes on the virtual number
Keep your personal number spam-free

Best Use Cases

E-commerce sites - Shopping sites often share data with marketing partners

Contests and giveaways - These are notorious for generating spam

Free trials - Many free trials require a phone number that gets added to sales lists

Dating apps - Protect your number until you're comfortable sharing it

Online classifieds - Selling items online? Use a virtual number for buyer communications

Additional Spam Protection Tips

Register with Do Not Call

In the US, add your number to the National Do Not Call Registry. It won't stop illegal robocalls, but it reduces legitimate telemarketing.

Screen Unknown Calls

Let unknown numbers go to voicemail. Legitimate callers will leave a message.

Use Call Blocking Apps

Apps like Truecaller, Hiya, and RoboKiller can identify and block known spam numbers.

Never Press Any Buttons

If a robocall asks you to press a number to opt out, don't. This confirms your number is active and leads to more calls.

Don't Answer Calls from Your Area Code

Scammers spoof local numbers to increase answer rates. If you don't recognize the number, let it ring.

When to Use Your Real Number

While virtual numbers are great for privacy, some services require your real number:

Banking and financial services - Required for security and regulatory compliance
Government services - Tax, voting, and official communications
Healthcare providers - Medical records and appointment reminders
Emergency contacts - Schools, employers, family members

Creating a Phone Number Strategy

Consider this three-tier approach:

Tier 1: Personal Number

Share only with trusted contacts, banks, healthcare providers, and government agencies.

Tier 2: Business/Secondary Number

A Google Voice or similar number for professional contacts and semi-trusted services.

Tier 3: Virtual Numbers

Disposable numbers from OtherSIM for one-time verifications, online shopping, and services you don't fully trust.

The Cost of Spam

Spam calls aren't just annoying—they're costly:

Time wasted answering and blocking calls
Potential fraud from convincing scams
Mental stress from constant interruptions
Missed legitimate calls because you stopped answering unknowns

Take Back Control

Your phone number is valuable personal information. By strategically using virtual numbers, you control who has access to your real contact information.

With OtherSIM, you can:

Get numbers from 50+ countries instantly
Receive verification SMS in seconds
Dispose of numbers when they've served their purpose
Keep your personal number completely private

Conclusion

Spam calls are a growing problem, but you don't have to be a victim. By using virtual numbers for online signups and following smart phone practices, you can dramatically reduce unwanted calls.

Start protecting your phone number today. Sign up for OtherSIM and take the first step toward a spam-free life.