Spam calls are a persistent nuisance, especially when they recur on your family's phone. Fortunately, there are effective strategies and applications available to help you block these unwanted calls.
Why Are Spam Calls So Persistent?
Spam calls, including robocalls and telemarketing, are prevalent due to their low cost and ease of automation. Scammers often use caller ID spoofing to make their calls appear local or from trusted sources, increasing the likelihood of users answering. In 2024, Americans received over 50 billion robocalls, highlighting the scale of the issue. (whocalledus.net)
How Can I Block Spam Calls on My Family's Phone?
Blocking spam calls involves a combination of built-in phone features, carrier services, and third-party applications. Here's how you can implement each:
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 enable:
- Go to Settings > Phone.
- Toggle on Silence Unknown Callers.
For Android Users:
- Google Phone App Spam Protection: Many Android devices come with built-in spam protection. To activate:
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap the three-dot menu > Settings > Spam and Call Screen.
- Enable See caller & spam ID and Filter spam calls.
Carrier Services
Major U.S. carriers offer free spam call protection:
- AT&T: Provides ActiveArmor, which includes spam call blocking and fraud alerts.
- Verizon: Offers Call Filter, which identifies and blocks potential spam calls.
- T-Mobile: Features Scam Shield, providing scam call blocking and caller ID.
These services can be activated through your carrier's app or website.
Third-Party Applications
Several apps specialize in blocking spam calls:
- RoboKiller: Blocks 99% of robocalls and uses AI to waste scammers' time. It's available for $4.99/month. (appshunter.io)
- Truecaller: Identifies unknown callers and blocks spam calls. It has a large database of known spammers. (rahsha.in)
- Hiya: Offers spam call blocking and caller ID services. It's integrated with several carriers for enhanced protection. (en.wikipedia.org)
How Do These Apps Compare?
When choosing a spam call blocker, consider the following:
- RoboKiller: Known for its unique approach of answering spam calls with AI bots, wasting scammers' time.
- Truecaller: Boasts a vast community-driven database, providing real-time caller ID and spam detection.
- Hiya: Partners with major carriers, offering integrated spam protection and caller ID services.
Are There Any Free Options Available?
Yes, several free options are available:
- Hiya: Offers a free version with basic spam protection and caller ID.
- Truecaller: Provides a free version with ads and basic features.
While free versions are effective, premium versions often offer enhanced features like automatic spam blocking and advanced caller ID.
How Do I Report Spam Calls?
Reporting spam calls helps authorities track and combat scammers:
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report unwanted calls to the FTC at donotcall.gov.
- Carrier Reporting: Many carriers allow you to report spam calls directly through their apps.
Conclusion
Implementing a combination of built-in features, carrier services, and third-party apps can significantly reduce spam calls on your family's phone. Regularly updating your spam protection settings and staying informed about new tools will help maintain a spam-free experience.
Highlights:
- Say goodbye to spam calls - NordVPN launches new spam call protection, Published on Tuesday, July 29
- Android now warns before you open banking apps during risky calls, Published on Wednesday, December 03
