About this episode
Phone scams get dismissed as background noise or just annoying interruptions and unknown numbers with robotic voices we learn to ignore. But behind that noise is an industry built on psychology, automation, and staggering profitability. My guest today is Alex Quilici. He's an engineer, entrepreneur, and the CEO of YouMail, a company focused on protecting consumers and businesses from unwanted and fraudulent calls. Alex has spent years analyzing how robocalls and scam campaigns are designed, how they evolve, and why they continue to work despite better technology and increased awareness. What began as a voicemail platform shifted into fraud prevention after users unintentionally revealed a powerful truth that even small friction can disrupt scam operations. He shares how his own father got pulled into a tech support scam which cemented his mission to move beyond blocking calls and toward tracing and stopping scams closer to their source. We talk about how scam calls are engineered, the tactics that trigger panic and urgency, and how criminals use data breaches, AI tools, and impersonation to sound convincing. We also explore what's changing, including fewer random calls, more targeted attacks, rising text and messaging scams, and the difficult balance between stopping fraud and allowing legitimate calls through. Alex shares practical ways consumers and businesses can reduce risk, along with a candid look at why this problem is so persistent and where it's likely heading next. Show Notes: [2:23] Alex explains how YouMail shifted from a voicemail company into fraud prevention after noticing users using an out-of-service message to deter robocallers. [3:25] Discussion turns to robocall volume, with Alex estimating billions of calls per day and roughly five billion robocalls per month. [4:10] About half of all robocalls are unwanted, while the rest include legitimate reminders from doctors, hospitals, and financial institutions. [5:05] Alex notes that legitimate telemarketing still exists but is now heavily overshadowed by sketchy and scam-driven campaigns. [6:40] Scam calls have declined in raw volume, yet attackers are becoming more targeted and efficient. [7:15] Scammers increasingly pivot to texts, email, and messaging platforms where third-party blocking is harder. [9:27] Alex describes limited progress shutting down shady telemarketers but better success against large-scale illegal robocall operations. [11:05] Sense of urgency emerges as the dominant tactic, often involving fake charges, legal threats, or financial panic triggers. [13:10] Modern scams
