Hello Souder,
Welcome to the community!
Fido does have Chinese speaking customer service representatives. However, those calls are not from Fido (see here). They are from spammers/scammers trying to target Fido's Chinese immigrant customer base. I understand many people who do not speak or understand the language are also receiving the calls. It's easier for the spammers/scammers to simply call all of Fido's phone numbers rather than to determine which phone numbers belong to Chinese customers.
I think everyone is rather fed up about getting SPAM and SCAM calls from spoofed numbers. Unfortunately, there currently isn't much that any of the mobile providers can do to prevent them. Since the spammers/scammers use spoofed numbers, it is not possible to identify the true spammers' number. The numbers shown on caller ID do not belong to the spammers. They often belong to innocent, unsuspecting people. There isn't much that can be done to prevent numbers from being spoofed. In some instances, the spammers/scammers will use the recipients' own phone numbers to make the calls. Even the RCMP are not immune to being spoofed (see here).
I understand it appears like they might be targeting Fido customers, however, none of the providers are immune to the SPAM calls everyone has been receiving. In fact, the problem is broader than solely a Canadian issue -- it's Worldwide (see here).
It's actually not that difficult for spammers/scammers to direct those calls to a particular provider. All phone numbers -- whether landline or mobile -- are in databases which are readily available online. Certain area code and prefix combinations are designated as landlines, others as Rogers, Fido, Bell, etc. All a spammer/scammer needs to do is have a computer sequentially dial the numbers of a desired area code/prefix combination from 0000 to 9999 and all of those customers would be with their desired target (see here). They'll likely change the message depending on the area code/prefix combination. There have been instances where people who have ported their phone numbers to other providers still receive SPAM directed at their original providers.
The mobile providers have implemented Universal Call Blocking which is meant to block calls from malformed phone numbers. That said, I'm doubtful whether it will have much of an effect on the amount of SPAM or SCAM calls since many of them appear to have properly formed phone numbers. In addition, a new technology, STIR/SHAKEN (Secure Telephone Identity Revisited/Signature-based Handling of Asserted Information Using Tokens) is being adopted to further reduce the amount of nuisance calls (see here). However, I have my doubts as to whether those measures will reduce the amount of SPAM calls. My understanding is the STIR/SHAKEN will only identify possible SPAM calls and mark the calls as suspected SPAM.
Unfortunately, until the technology to unmask the true number of spammers/scammers is readily available (not simply the number shown on the caller ID), the only solution currently is to block the numbers on your phone. You should note that blocking the calls only prevents the calls from ringing your phone. It does not prevent the callers from leaving voicemail. There are (at least were) some apps which claimed to also prevent callers from leaving voicemail. They worked by answering and almost simultaneously ending the calls. While those apps do prevent calls from going to voicemail, the calls are also considered 'answered' and therefore count as airtime.
Hope this helps 😀
Cheers
Hello again,
As mentioned previously, the spammers/scammers often spoof the phone numbers of innocent people. Mobile providers and landline providers simply cannot block a number without absolute proof that the owner of the number is engaged in nefarious activities. If the spammers chose to spoof your number. I think you would agree that if they blocked your number simply based on its apparent use to make SPAM calls or send SPAM SMS, you would not be impressed. How about if you received a SPAM call from your own spoofed number? Would you insist they block your phone number? Should they block the RCMP phone number?
I understand some apps might offer that service. However, that blocking list only affects people who opt to use those apps. Honest customers who might actually own those numbers can still use their services, just not to call people using those apps. If a mobile provider were to do the same, honest customers would have difficulties using their services.
Everyone agrees that SPAM calls and SMS are problematic. However, blocking the spoofed numbers is not feasible. Blocking innocent customers for no reason is NOT acceptable. In the Western world, people are deemed innocent until proven guilty. It has been suggested that customers with blocked phone numbers could somehow verify their calls prior to calls connecting. An honest customer should not have to prove their innocence by having to call an operator to connect a call because their number was used in a spoofing SCAM! That would be a presumption of guilt.
Hope this helps 😀
Cheers
Hello Stan_Lee,
Welcome to the community!
I think everyone is fed up with SPAM / SCAM calls these days. Those calls affect both mobile and landlines. Unfortunately, the measures in place cannot completely put an end to those calls on either mobile or landlines. Fido/Rogers do not have a pay service to reduce those calls. The measures in place apply to both mobile and landlines without additional charge.
Depending on the source of the calls, adding your number to the Do Not Call List may help. However, many spammers / scammers are not legitimate telemarketers. As such, they are unlikely to abide by any do not call lists.
That said, some providers offer a feature requiring caller interaction prior to call connection. While a feature like that could reduce robo-calls, it would not prevent human-called SCAM or SPAM calls. In addition, some customers rely on legitimate robo-calls (ie libraries, pharmacies, doctor's offices, etc). That is not a feature currently offered by Fido/Rogers -- not even for additional cost.
Hope this helps 😀
Cheers
