What carrier services are available to block unwanted calls?

AT&T offers Call Protect, Verizon provides Call Filter, and T-Mobile features Scam Shield to help block unwanted calls.

Effective Strategies to Reduce Nuisance Calls on Your Phone Today

Unwanted calls, especially robocalls and telemarketing, can disrupt your daily life. Fortunately, there are several effective strategies to reduce these interruptions. Here's how you can take control of your phone today:

How Can I Block Unwanted Calls Using My Phone's Built-In Features?

Most smartphones offer built-in features to help manage unwanted calls:

iPhone Users: Activate the "Silence Unknown Callers" feature by navigating to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers. This will silence calls from numbers not in your contacts, sending them directly to voicemail. (consumer.ftc.gov)
Android Users: Enable "Block Calls from Unidentified Callers" by going to the Phone app > Settings > Blocked Numbers. This feature blocks calls from unknown numbers. (consumerreports.org)

What Are Carrier Services for Blocking Unwanted Calls?

Many mobile carriers provide services to help block unwanted calls:

AT&T: Offers Call Protect, which identifies and blocks potential spam calls.
Verizon: Provides Call Filter, which labels potential spam calls.
T-Mobile: Features Scam Shield, which identifies and blocks scam calls.

These services may have limitations and might not block all unwanted calls. (consumer.ftc.gov)

How Do Third-Party Apps Help in Blocking Unwanted Calls?

Third-party apps can offer enhanced protection against unwanted calls:

Robokiller: Utilizes artificial intelligence to block 99% of spam calls and texts. It maintains a global blocklist of over 1.5 billion phone numbers and uses audio fingerprinting technology to combat caller ID spoofing. (robokiller.com)
Nomorobo: Specializes in blocking spam calls to landlines and offers paid subscription versions for iPhone and Android. (robokiller.com)
Hiya: Provides spam call blocking and caller ID services.
Truecaller: Offers spam call blocking and caller ID features.

Robokiller stands out by blocking 99% of spam calls and texts, offering comprehensive protection across all carriers in the U.S. and Canada. (robokiller.com)

How Can I Report Unwanted Calls?

Reporting unwanted calls helps authorities track and take action against scammers:

Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report unwanted calls at DoNotCall.gov.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC): File a complaint at FCC.gov.

While reporting doesn't stop individual calls, it aids in identifying and prosecuting violators. (consumer.ftc.gov)

What Are Additional Tips to Reduce Nuisance Calls?

Don't Engage: If you answer a robocall, hang up immediately. Engaging can lead to more calls. (tomsguide.com)
Use Voicemail: Let unknown calls go to voicemail. Legitimate callers will leave a message.
Stay Informed: Regularly update your contact list and be cautious about sharing your phone number.

By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the number of nuisance calls you receive, leading to a more peaceful and secure phone experience.