How can I block neighbor spoofing calls on my iPhone?

You can activate the 'Silence Unknown Callers' feature by going to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers and toggling it on.

What is Robokiller and how does it help with call blocking?

Robokiller is an app that uses AI-powered answer bots to engage scammers in fake conversations, wasting their time and preventing them from targeting other users.

How to Block Neighbor Spoofing Calls on Your Family's Phone

Neighbor spoofing calls, where scammers mimic local numbers to deceive recipients, are a growing concern for many families. These calls can be intrusive and potentially harmful. Fortunately, there are effective strategies and applications available to block such calls and protect your family's privacy.

What Are Neighbor Spoofing Calls?

Neighbor spoofing involves scammers disguising their calls to appear as if they're from local or familiar numbers. This tactic increases the likelihood of recipients answering, as the call seems more trustworthy. Such calls can lead to unwanted solicitations, scams, or even data breaches.

How Can You Block Neighbor Spoofing Calls?

Blocking neighbor spoofing calls requires a combination of built-in phone features, carrier services, and third-party applications.

1. Utilize Built-in Phone Features

For iPhone Users:

Silence Unknown Callers: This feature silences calls from numbers not in your contacts, recent calls, or Siri suggestions. To activate:
Go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers and toggle it on.

For Android Users:

Spam Protection: Many Android phones offer built-in spam protection. For instance, Google Pixel devices have a feature that identifies and blocks suspected spam calls. To enable:
Open the Phone app > tap the three-dot menu > Settings > Caller ID & Spam > toggle on See caller & spam ID and Filter spam calls.

2. Activate Carrier Services

Major U.S. carriers provide services to combat spam and spoofed calls:

AT&T: Offers Call Protect, which identifies and blocks potential fraud calls. To activate:
Visit your myAT&T account online, navigate to Phone Features, and enable Call Protect. (consumerreports.org)
Verizon: Provides Call Filter, which detects and blocks spam calls. To activate:
Open the My Verizon app, go to Account > Call Filter, and follow the prompts. (consumerreports.org)
T-Mobile: Features Scam Shield, which identifies and blocks scam calls. To activate:
Dial #ONI# (#664#) to enable Scam ID and #ONB# (#662#) to enable Scam Block. (consumerreports.org)

3. Install Third-Party Call Blocking Apps

Several applications are designed to block neighbor spoofing calls effectively:

Robokiller: This app uses AI-powered call screening to answer calls and waste scammers’ time. It blocks caller ID spoofing scams and includes funny “answer bots” that engage scammers in fake conversations. Robokiller is available for both iOS and Android devices. (blog.youmail.com)
Truecaller: With a vast database of known spam numbers, Truecaller identifies and blocks unwanted calls. It also provides real-time caller ID and spam alerts. Truecaller is available for both iOS and Android devices. (fone.tips)
Hiya: Hiya offers spam call blocking and caller ID services. It identifies unknown callers and blocks spam calls in real-time. Hiya is available for both iOS and Android devices. (famisafe.wondershare.com)

How Does Robokiller Compare to Other Apps?

Robokiller stands out due to its unique features:

AI-Powered Answer Bots: These bots engage scammers in fake conversations, wasting their time and preventing them from targeting other users.
Global Blocklist: Robokiller maintains a global blocklist of over 1.5 billion numbers, ensuring comprehensive protection against known spam sources. (robokiller.com)
Customizable Filters: Users can tailor spam filters to their preferences, enhancing the app's effectiveness.

While other apps like Truecaller and Hiya offer robust features, Robokiller's combination of AI technology and extensive blocklist provides a unique advantage in combating neighbor spoofing calls.

Conclusion

Protecting your family from neighbor spoofing calls requires a multi-layered approach, combining built-in phone features, carrier services, and third-party applications. By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the risk of unwanted and potentially harmful calls.