Silent Voicemail Scam Reported in Connecticut With Rotating Numbers

A resident in Westport, Connecticut, reported receiving silent voicemails every 20 to 30 minutes, with each message coming from a different number after previous ones were blocked. This incident highlights a method used by scammers to bypass traditional call alerts and reach voicemail directly.

This type of activity is identified as a silent voicemail scam, also known as ringless voicemail spam. In these cases, prerecorded or blank messages are sent straight to voicemail without the recipient’s phone ringing, making detection more difficult for consumers.

According to cybersecurity experts, these silent voicemails are often used in automated robocall campaigns. The purpose is frequently to confirm that a phone number is active, which can make the recipient a target for future scam attempts.

Efforts to block individual numbers are often ineffective, as scammers typically use caller ID spoofing and rotate through multiple phone numbers. This approach allows the campaign to continue even after several numbers have been blocked by the recipient.

What the numbers show

• One Westport resident received silent voicemails every 20–30 minutes.
• The FCC ruled in 2022 that ringless voicemails to wireless phones are considered “calls.”.
• Consumer consent is required for these types of voicemails under federal robocall rules.

The Federal Communications Commission issued a ruling in 2022 stating that ringless voicemail messages sent to wireless phones qualify as calls under federal robocall regulations. This decision requires that companies obtain consumer consent before delivering such messages.

The Federal Trade Commission advises individuals who receive these voicemails to avoid calling back, to delete the messages, and to report the activity. These steps are recommended to help prevent further targeting and reduce the risk of falling victim to scams.

Consumers are also encouraged to use spam call filtering features, install call-blocking applications, and contact their mobile carriers for network-level spam controls. Additionally, some experts suggest considering data removal services to limit exposure to these types of scams.

Regulatory agencies continue to monitor and address ringless voicemail scams. The FCC and FTC have both issued guidance and rules to help protect consumers from unwanted and potentially fraudulent messages.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.