Illegal robocalls are easy to spot.  If you receive a robocall, it is illegal.  Federal law prohibits recorded sales messages unless you have given your specific written permission to receive them.  Since they are illegal, you should know that you cannot trust what is being said to you.  The most common robocalls involve credit card services (think Rachel, from card holder services), automobile warranites and medical discount cards.  A common robocall scam going on now involves calls that purport to be from JP Morgan Chase that tell you that your Mastercard has been locked for security purposes.  You are then given instructions as to what to do to unlock it.  Don’t follow their instructions or you will end up becoming  a victim of identity theft.  The Federal Trade Commission has taken action against a number of people and companies that make illegal robocalls, but it is impossible for them to keep up with this common scam.  The FTC has even gone so far as to offer a $50,000 reward to the person who can come up with the best way to stop robocalls.

TIPS

Whenever you receive a robocall, the safest course of action is to merely hang up the phone.  Do not press any number that they tell you will take you off of their list.  You may wish to consider taking the number down that called you and having your phone company block calls from that number.  If you ever have the slightest thought that the call may be a legitimate call from your bank or another company with which you do business, merely hang up and call the bank or company at a number that you know is legitimate.