Fort Myers Residents Say Spam Calls Are Getting More Personal

FORT MYERS, Fla. - If your phone has been lighting up with strange calls or oddly familiar messages, you’re not alone.

During a recent WINK Listens event in downtown Fort Myers, residents shared growing frustration over the volume and personalization of spam calls they receive. Attendees described messages that reference local area codes, hometowns, or even homes they don’t own.

According to the Better Business Bureau of West Florida, scammers are increasingly relying on caller ID spoofing, a tactic that makes calls appear to come from local or trusted numbers. The goal is simple: increase the odds that someone answers.

“These calls are designed to look familiar,” said Bryan Oglesby of the BBB. “Scammers know people are more likely to pick up when they recognize an area code.

Experts say scammers also trade massive databases of consumer information, allowing them to tailor messages that feel personal - whether it’s pretending to buy your house or posing as a delivery service.

This kind of data mining helps scammers identify which numbers are active, making even a single response enough to trigger more calls.

Tools like Nomorobo help stop these unwanted calls by blocking known scam numbers and identifying suspicious activity before your phone ever rings. Say goodbye to spam callers for good by signing up for Noromobo. With its precision and reliability, Nomorobo consistently ranks as the best spam call blocker for iPhones and Androids.

For more on how scammers are using local numbers to trick consumers, read the full report from WINK News.