Are you sick and tired of all the spam calls you get? Lawmakers have passed legislation to address the problem, but there are a few actions you can take on your own. Android devices and iPhones come with built-in features for blocking specific phone numbers, while mobile carriers offer their own blocking tools.
Several third-party apps—including Hiya, RoboKiller, Truecaller, and YouMail—also work to block telemarketing calls. And you can also register your phone number with the FTC’s Do Not Call Registry, though that won’t stop scammers and disreputable telemarketers from calling you. Let’s check out each option.
(If you are also receiving unwanted robotexts, there are steps you can take to block themblock them, too.)
Block Numbers on iPhone
Robocallers cycle through thousands of phone numbers, and many include the same telephone prefixes as your own phone number. To block them as they come in on your iPhone, open the Phone app and tap Recents. Tap the Info icon next to the number you want to block and choose Block this Caller > Block Contact.
The number is now blocked, but spammers have a habit of jumping from one number to another, so this remedy helps only if the caller uses the same number more than once.
With iOS 13 or higher installed on your iPhone, you can take a more effective but drastic measure to clamp down on spam calls. Go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers and turn on the switch for Silence Unknown Callers.
This feature automatically silences all calls from numbers that are not in your contacts. Calls are sent to voicemail and appear on your Recents lists so you can return the call if it’s legitimate.
Block Numbers on Android
The steps for blocking numbers on an Android phone vary based on the device and operating system version. You should be able to open the Phone app and select recent calls or call history. Tap the number you want to block and find the command that says block and/or report as spam. You then confirm the order to block the number.
Some Android devices also allow you to block all unknown callers. While the process varies among different devices, you typically open the Phone app and go to the settings menu. Find the option for blocking numbers and activate the feature. You can also manually add phone numbers that you want blocked.
AT&T Call Protect
AT&T customers can access a support page with directions for blocking calls on different types of phones. The company provides a fraud and spam call blocking app for iOS and Android named Call Protect, and an app for the family known as AT&T Secure Family, also on iOS and Android. The basic version of Call Protect is free for AT&T Mobility subscribers, with the carrier rolling it out automatically for new customers and adding it to the accounts of existing customers. A Plus version of Call Protect with enhanced Caller ID and Reverse Number Lookup features is available for $3.99 a month.
Verizon Call Filter
Verizon Wireless offers a free version of its Call Filter service for customers with compatible phones and postpaid plans. The free version detects and filter out spam calls. It alerts you when an incoming call is likely spam, lets you report unsolicited numbers, and can automatically block robocalls based on your set level of risk.
For $2.99 a month per line, the paid version of Call Filter kicks in Caller ID, a personal spam list, and other features. iPhone users can download the Call Filter app from the App Store. The app should be pre-loaded on your Android device. If not, download it from Google Play.
T-Mobile Scam Shield
T-Mobile offers a free blocking app called Scam Shield for postpaid T-Mobile and Metro customers. The iOS and Android app can identify scam calls in an effort to prevent them from reaching you. An enhanced Caller ID feature displays detailed information on a call so you can determine if it’s spam. A legitimate call carries a Number Verified tag, while a potential spam call comes with a warning.
Scam Shield even gives you an extra proxy phone number you can use when you don’t want to share your regular number. If your regular number is caught up in spam, you can change it for free once a year. A spam counter keeps track of the calls that have been blocked.
For $4 a month, Scam Shield Premium edition kicks in more advanced features, including voicemail-to-text, the ability to create a block list, and an option to send certain types of calls straight to voicemail.
Hiya
The third-party app Hiya: Spam Phone Call Blocker warns you of robocalls and scam calls based on a database of known scammers. The app tackles phone calls associated with fraud and illegal activities as well as those connected with telemarketers.
Hiya can detect spoofed calls that use the same initial digits as your own number. You can type a phone number into the app, and Hiya will reveal its source and tell you if it’s a suspected spam number. And the app can automatically allow calls from any of your contacts.
The basic version is free. A premium edition with a call screener and other features is available as a seven-day trial, and then costs $3.99 a month or $24.99 a year.
RoboKiller
RoboKiller not only blocks spam calls but also attempts to mess with the spammers. The app’s Answer Bots will automatically answer spam calls with prerecorded nonsense designed to frustrate them and waste their time. You can also create your own bot responses.
The app includes a database of known spammers, though you can add specific numbers that you want blocked. The Android app is $2.99 a month or $24.99 per year, while the iOS edition costs $3.99 per month or $29.99 per year after a one-week free trial.
Truecaller
Truecaller strives to block spam phone calls and text messages. The app identifies each incoming call, especially those from unfamiliar numbers, so you know if it’s legit or not. It can automatically block unwanted calls based on known spammers, as well as numbers you manually add. You can look up specific names and phone numbers to get information on them, and you can make phone calls directly from the app to identify and call friends and other contacts. The basic app is free. Remove all ads and enjoy other benefits for $4.49 a month or $29.99 a year.
YouMail
YouMail offers robocall blocking with visual voicemail so you can easily view any blocked calls for which the caller left a message. After signing up for a free account, you then set up YouMail as your default voicemail service for monitoring incoming calls and deciding which ones to allow and which ones to block.
There are paid versions available as well. For $3.99 a month, a Plus plan cuts out the ads and kicks in an unlimited size for your voicemail mailbox. For $10.99 a month, the Professional plan adds a custom outbound greeting, up to three virtual numbers, and voicemail menus.
Spam Blocking on a Landline
Without mobile apps and other digital tools and services, preventing robocalls and spam calls on a landline is more challenging than on a mobile phone. But you do have some options. Check with your carrier to see if it offers any features to cut down on spam calls.
Some landline phones also come with built-in call blocking technology. If you already have a phone and it doesn’t have this feature, you can buy a separate call blocking device. You can also register your number with the FTC’s Do Not Call Registry.
Register on the Do Not Call List
While scammers won’t respect the FTC’s Do Not Call Registry, it can’t hurt to register your landline and mobile phone numbers at donotcall.gov. From the website, you can report unwanted calls, verify if your phone number is registered with the Do Not Call Registry, and add your number if not.
If you think you may have already registered with the Do Not Call Registry, select Register Your Phone > Verify Here. Type your phone number and email address, then click Submit. At the next screen, click Verify to confirm your number and email address. You’ll then receive an email indicating whether your number is already registered. Check your email for the message.
If you’re not already registered, select Register Your Phone > Register here. Enter your phone number and email address, then click Submit. Confirm your information, then click Register. You’ll then be directed to check a message in your email. Click on the link in the message to complete your registration.
You can report any robocalls or scam calls you receive to the FTC. The agency can’t act on your specific complaint, but it will suggest steps you can take and collect the information you provide in its own fight against sleazy telemarketers.
From the DNC homepage, click Report Unwanted Calls. You’ll be asked to fill out all the details about the phone call in question, then submit the information. Alternatively, you can call the FTC at 1-888-382-1222 to report an unwanted call.
