A robocall is a phone call that delivers a pre-recorded message through auto-dialing software to millions of people each day. The message is delivered as if from a robot, and the call is made using a computerized autodialer. Robocalls are often associated with political and telemarketing phone campaigns, but can also be used for public service or emergency announcements. Multiple businesses and telemarketing companies use auto-dialing software to deliver prerecorded messages (appointment reminders, booking details, etc.) to millions of users. Some robocalls use personalized audio messages to simulate an actual personal phone call. However, most robocalls are trying to sell something, and many of them are scams. Billions of robocalls are made each month worldwide, and they are widely seen as a nuisance.

Robocalls can be legal or illegal depending on the content of the message and whether the caller has obtained written permission from the recipient to make the call. For example, robocalls telling you that your flight has been canceled or reminding you about a medical appointment are considered legitimate. A business that is legitimately trying to collect a debt is allowed to use recorded messages to reach you. However, services that attempt to sell you services to reduce your debt are not (and are probably scams). Charities can make robocalls themselves, but if a charity hires someone to make robocalls on its behalf, the robocalls can only go to prior donors or members of the charity.

If you receive a robocall trying to sell you something (and you haven’t given the caller your written permission), it’s an illegal call. You should hang up and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the National Do Not Call Registry. To protect yourself from scams and prevent your phone from ringing off the hook, you can use call-blocking and call-labeling solutions. The call-blocking or call-labeling option you choose will depend on whether you’re getting calls on a cell phone, traditional landline, or home phone that makes calls over the internet (VoIP).