Spam Calls: It's Not Just You. They Just Won't Quit.
Peace of Mind
Published Sept. 25, 2025 - by Kirstyn M. Yancy
The truth is, spam calls have evolved into a constant, relentless nuisance—especially with the help of ai.
It's frustrating and messy. These calls are like.. How do you say...? A heated mess. You know, a mess where heat is applied to it, so what once was a little messy, is now a little messier. (thank you Pitch Perfect 2 lol).
And if it feels like it’s getting worse, you’re not imagining it.
Once upon a time, spam calls came from strange, faraway numbers that were easy to spot and ignore. Now? They’re using tricks that make it harder than ever to tell who’s calling you.
Simply put — no.
While data breaches do happen, most spam calls have nothing to do with you personally or with how well your marketing is set up. Spam callers buy or generate massive lists of numbers and blast them indiscriminately. They’re not targeting you because of something you did; they’re targeting everyone, hoping someone — anyone — picks up.
Here’s the tricky part: spam calls are awful, but if you own a business, ignoring every unfamiliar number can cost you real customers. People still call when they’re ready to buy. Sometimes it’s a referral. Sometimes it’s someone who saw your ad, liked what they saw, and just needs to speak to a real human before making a decision.
Yes, spam calls are frustrating. Yes, they can clog up your day. But the real leads, the real opportunities — they still come in over the phone. And those are worth answering.
No matter how good your marketing is, those spam calls aren’t going away. They’ll keep coming no matter how tight your campaigns, how clean your data, or how well your business is managed.
What great marketing can do — the kind we build here at TMS Digital — is make sure that when your phone rings, it’s ringing with more of the calls that matter: people who actually want your services, who are ready to hire, who already trust your business because of what they’ve seen online.
Alright, ending this article, only three "potential spam" calls. The photo used in this article? Mine. That's a real, live, screenshot of my missed calls Junk, Potential Spam—those are just the calls I missed, not the ones I answered to press 9 or tell them "I'm not interested." Exhausting, but in my field, I need to answer my phone.
Let’s get one thing straight - right out of the gate: those annoying spam calls you keep getting? They’re not your fault. They’re not a sign that your marketing is broken, that your phone number leaked somewhere in one of the many data breaches we're constantly getting snail mail about, or that you did anything wrong. They’re just… everywhere. Business loans, personal loans, car warranties (thank goodness those are over!), your Google Business Profile, your [insert topic here]; I'm only a paragraph in and I've received two "Potential Spam" calls. I'll be sure to update you with the final count at the end.
The truth is, spam calls have evolved into a constant, relentless nuisance—especially with the help of ai.
It's frustrating and messy. These calls are like.. How do you say...? A heated mess. You know, a mess where heat is applied to it, so what once was a little messy, is now a little messier. (thank you Pitch Perfect 2 lol).
And if it feels like it’s getting worse, you’re not imagining it.
How Spam Callers Have Stepped Up Their Game
Once upon a time, spam calls came from strange, faraway numbers that were easy to spot and ignore. Now? They’re using tricks that make it harder than ever to tell who’s calling you.1. Masking Personal Numbers
Scammers have figured out how to "spoof" legitimate numbers, making it look like a neighbor, family member, or even your own area code is calling. You might see a call from a number one digit off from your own, and your curiosity kicks in — only to find it’s a robocall about car warranties or fake IRS threats.2. Impersonating Local Businesses
Even more frustrating? Some spam calls now appear to be coming from real, trusted businesses. That HVAC company you used last year? The number pops up on your screen — but it’s not actually them. This kind of spoofing not only tricks you into answering, but it also damages the reputation of honest, hardworking companies whose numbers are being hijacked.3. Rotating Through Dozens (Sometimes Hundreds) of Numbers
Blocking one number no longer solves the problem. The same spammer might cycle through dozens of fake numbers in a single day, making it feel like a never-ending game of whack-a-mole.Why It’s Not About You
When those calls hit, it’s natural to wonder: Did I sign up for something I shouldn’t have? Did someone leak my info? Is this because of my business marketing?Simply put — no.
While data breaches do happen, most spam calls have nothing to do with you personally or with how well your marketing is set up. Spam callers buy or generate massive lists of numbers and blast them indiscriminately. They’re not targeting you because of something you did; they’re targeting everyone, hoping someone — anyone — picks up.
But If You’re a Business Owner… Pick Up Anyway
Here’s the tricky part: spam calls are awful, but if you own a business, ignoring every unfamiliar number can cost you real customers. People still call when they’re ready to buy. Sometimes it’s a referral. Sometimes it’s someone who saw your ad, liked what they saw, and just needs to speak to a real human before making a decision.Yes, spam calls are frustrating. Yes, they can clog up your day. But the real leads, the real opportunities — they still come in over the phone. And those are worth answering.
Great Marketing Won’t Stop Spam Calls — But It Will Deliver Customers
No matter how good your marketing is, those spam calls aren’t going away. They’ll keep coming no matter how tight your campaigns, how clean your data, or how well your business is managed.What great marketing can do — the kind we build here at TMS Digital — is make sure that when your phone rings, it’s ringing with more of the calls that matter: people who actually want your services, who are ready to hire, who already trust your business because of what they’ve seen online.
We can’t stop the spam calls (no one can). But we can make sure the real calls keep coming. And in this noisy, spam-filled phone landscape, that’s what counts.
Alright, ending this article, only three "potential spam" calls. The photo used in this article? Mine. That's a real, live, screenshot of my missed calls Junk, Potential Spam—those are just the calls I missed, not the ones I answered to press 9 or tell them "I'm not interested." Exhausting, but in my field, I need to answer my phone.