Good morning. It’s まさきん.
My parents once told me they had been getting more calls from unknown numbers. I wanted to protect my own phone as well, so I signed up for Rakuten Mobile’s “Spam Call & SMS Protection by Whoscall.”
Overview of the Option
It costs 330 yen per month. When you sign up for the first time, the first 3 months are free.
The service uses the caller ID app “Whoscall” to identify who is calling, even when the number is unknown to you. Its purpose is to stop scams before they happen.
Why This Kind of Service Caught My Attention
Apparently, about 80% of special fraud cases in Japan start with a phone call. I also saw figures showing that “it’s me” impersonation scams and fake refund scams almost always begin with a call.
Losses in 2024 topped 70 billion yen, an increase of nearly 60% from the previous year. Honestly, that is not a number I can brush off as someone else’s problem.
Whoscall reportedly has a database of 2.6 billion phone numbers. It has also been adopted by several local governments in Japan for scam awareness campaigns. Beyond the sheer size of the database, its real-world track record made me feel more confident about it.
Main Features
There are 8 features in total, which is a wider range than I expected.
It can automatically identify who is behind an unknown number, and it can automatically block spam calls. For SMS, there is an “SMS Assistant” feature that judges how risky a message is based on keywords and URLs and sorts it accordingly.
It also includes phone number lookup and a personal data leak check. When you receive an SMS containing a dangerous URL, it scans it automatically and warns you.
How It Differs from the Free “Spam SMS Blocking” Setting
Rakuten Mobile also offers a free feature called “Spam SMS Blocking” that automatically detects spam texts. This is the part that can be a little confusing.
The free feature only blocks SMS. Whoscall adds caller identification, automatic call blocking, phone number lookup, and leak checks. If you want protection against calls as well as SMS, you will need the paid option.
Clicking this opens the Rakuten login page. Once you log in, you’ll see the campaign details.
Things to Keep in Mind
This option covers calls and SMS received through your phone’s built-in phone and messaging apps. Calls and SMS received in the Rakuten Link app are reportedly not covered.
If you already pay for Whoscall Premium on your own, you may end up paying twice. It is a good idea to check for overlap before signing up.
Who It Suits and Who It Does Not
- Good fit: People who feel uneasy about calls and texts from unknown numbers, and people who want to protect their family from scams
- Not a good fit: People who already have their own Whoscall Premium subscription
Summary
“Spam Call & SMS Protection by Whoscall” is a security option that costs 330 yen per month. It covers both calls and SMS. Since signing up, I worry much less about unknown numbers. I am planning to recommend the same option to my parents.
If you want to review your security setup as a whole, take a look at Saikyo Protection too.
Please check the official website for the latest features and availability.
Clicking this opens the Rakuten login page. Once you log in, you’ll see the campaign details.
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