Spam calls continue to be a major issue across the United States, and California is no exception. In August 2024, a staggering 375.8 million robocalls were placed across the state, marking a 5.1% increase month over month (MoM). With 12.1 million robocalls being made per day, 505,000 calls per hour, and 140.3 calls per second, it’s clear that spam calls are a persistent and widespread problem.
Spam calls aren’t just a nuisance; they can also be dangerous, as many involve scams aimed at tricking unsuspecting victims. Let’s take a deeper look at the data for California in August 2024, identify the most frequent robocallers, and explore solutions to mitigate this problem.
Robocall Statistics for California (August 2024)
The volume of spam calls in California has seen a continuous upward trend. Below is a breakdown of the robocall activity across the state:
- Total Calls Placed: 375.8 million
- Average Calls Per Day: 12.1 million
- Average Calls Per Hour: 505,100
- Average Calls Per Second: 140.3
- Average Calls Per Person: 8.0
This sharp increase highlights the need for Californians to be vigilant about unwanted calls, especially those involving scams.
Historical Data Comparison (March 2024 – August 2024)
| Month | Total Robocalls (Millions) |
| March 2024 | 330M |
| April 2024 | 340M |
| May 2024 | 350M |
| June 2024 | 360M |
| July 2024 | 370M |
| August 2024 | 375.8M |
As shown, robocalls have increased by nearly 45 million in just five months, indicating a growing issue statewide.
Top 10 Robocallers Targeting California (August 2024)
In August 2024, the most frequent robocallers in California ranged from legitimate businesses to suspicious entities. Here are the top 10 robocallers targeting the state:
- 916-800-1098 – Sacramento, CA | Prison Prepaid Call | Carrier: Bandwidth.com CLEC, LLC
- 626-289-8888 – Alhambra, CA | Messaging System Calling | Carrier: U.S. Telepacific Corp.
- 800-955-6600 – Toll-Free | Capital One Bank/Credit Card Payment Reminder | Carrier: Bandwidth CLEC – Syniverse
- 877-255-5923 – Toll-Free | Financial Customer Call
- 908-829-0335 – Belle Mead, NJ | Debt Collector | Unknown Caller
- 213-241-8100 – Los Angeles, CA | School Announcement | Carrier: Teleport Communications
- 661-510-2643 – Newhall, CA | Unknown Caller | Carrier: T-Mobile
- 619-559-4308 – San Diego, CA | Unknown Caller | Carrier: AT&T Wireless
- 800-942-3767 – Toll-Free | Substitute Teacher Alert | Carrier: Toll-Free
- 866-914-5806 – Toll-Free | Spectrum Policy Cancellation Alert | Carrier: Toll-Free
The majority of these calls come from toll-free numbers and are categorized as either reminders, alerts, or unknown robocallers, making it critical to carefully screen incoming calls.
Robocalls by Category
Spam calls come in many forms. Based on August 2024 data, the following categories are the most common for robocalls in California:
- Telemarketing: 36% of all robocalls
- Alerts and Reminders: 26%
- Scams: 21%
- Payment Reminders: 16%
The high percentage of telemarketing and scam calls indicates that many of these robocalls are attempts to manipulate consumers into revealing personal or financial information.
Notable Spam Call Types
- Prison Prepaid Calls: Frequently received from the Sacramento area, these calls are legitimate but can be unwanted if the recipient is not the intended party.
- Debt Collection: Many robocallers target individuals with automated debt collection reminders, which can sometimes lead to harassment.
- Telemarketing: Offers for personal loans, credit cards, and debt relief flood California residents.
- Scams: Fraudulent IRS calls, tax debt reduction schemes, and medical scams are all too common.
Recent Voicemail Examples from the 209 Area Code
Here are some recent voicemail examples from the 209 area code, demonstrating the variety of robocalls targeting Californians:
- Pinnacle Lending: “This is Sarah with the approval department at Pinnacle Lending. We can offer you up to $72,000 with payments as low as $440 per month.” (Call-back number: 866-659-0805)
- Google Business Listing: “Your Google business account shows errors in searches. Press one to speak with an agent.” (Learn More About the Google Business LIsting Scam)
- Voice Search Spam: “Numerous voice searches for your business were conducted, but customers may not be able to find you on Alexa or Siri.” (Call-back number: 877-403-7039)
These examples show that many spam calls prey on people’s anxieties about missed opportunities or errors with their business, making it crucial to remain cautious when answering unknown numbers.
Blocking Spam Calls with YouMail
Download YouMail and instantly stop spam calls, texts, and voicemail.
One of the most effective ways to protect yourself from spam calls is by using YouMail, a leading call-blocking app available for both Android and iOS. YouMail offers a number of features designed to help stop unwanted calls before they reach you:
- Automatic Detection of Spam Calls: YouMail detects and blocks robocalls, including scams and telemarketing calls.
- ‘Out of Service’ Message: When YouMail detects a robocall, it plays an ‘out of service’ message, tricking the spam caller into thinking your number is no longer active.
- Call Alerts: YouMail informs you about the type of call blocked, such as IRS scams, so you stay informed about ongoing threats.
With YouMail, Californians can regain control of their phones and avoid the flood of robocalls plaguing the state.
Protecting Your Privacy with YouMail’s Privacy Scan
Spam calls aren’t the only concern. Personal information exposure online can increase your vulnerability to identity theft and scams. That’s where YouMail’s Privacy Scan comes in.
YouMail’s Privacy Scan offers a free and secure way to identify where your personal information may have been exposed online. Key benefits include:
- Prevention of Identity Theft: Identify and remove exposed personal data before it can be used by scammers.
- Ongoing Protection: YouMail continues to monitor for future data leaks, ensuring you stay protected.
- Real-Time Alerts: Receive notifications if any new personal information becomes exposed.
This feature is essential for anyone looking to enhance their privacy and security in today’s digital age.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many robocalls were placed in California in August 2024?
A total of 375.8 million robocalls were placed in California in August 2024, with an average of 12.1 million calls per day.
2. What are the most common types of spam calls in California?
The most common categories of spam calls are telemarketing (36%), followed by alerts and reminders (26%), scams (21%), and payment reminders (16%).
3. Who are the top robocallers in California?
The top robocaller in August 2024 was 916-800-1098 from Sacramento, CA, which originated prison prepaid calls. Other frequent callers include Capital One, Spectrum, and Wells Fargo.
4. How can I block spam calls on my phone?
You can use YouMail to block unwanted spam calls. The app automatically detects robocalls, plays an ‘out of service’ message to block them, and provides alerts for scam calls.
5. How does YouMail’s Privacy Scan protect my information?
YouMail’s Privacy Scan helps you identify exposed personal information online, prevent identity theft, and provides continuous monitoring for future leaks.
By staying informed and using the right tools like YouMail, Californians can reduce the impact of robocalls and protect their personal information from scammers.
