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Robocall

A robocall is an automated phone call that plays a pre-recorded or synthetic message instead of a live person speaking. Robocalls can be legitimate, such as appointment reminders, or unwanted, such as scam and spam calls that dial many numbers automatically.

Robocalls are placed by automated dialing systems that can reach large numbers of phones quickly. Legitimate uses include reminders, alerts, and notifications that customers have agreed to receive.

However, robocalls are also a common vehicle for spam and fraud, which is why they have a poor reputation and are subject to regulation in many places. Recipients often let them go to voicemail or hang up.

Because a robocall does not respond conversationally, call screening quickly reveals it, and an AI receptionist can decline to engage with automated callers.

Related: Spam Call, Call Screening, Voicemail, Call Answering