Spam calls are a pervasive nuisance, with Americans receiving over 52.5 billion robocalls in 2025, averaging 13–15 spam calls per person each month. (antivirus.com) While blocking these unwanted calls is essential, it's equally important to ensure that calls from your contacts are not inadvertently blocked. Here's how you can achieve this balance:
1. Utilize Built-in Phone Features
Most smartphones come equipped with built-in features to help identify and block spam calls:
-
iPhone: Enable "Silence Unknown Callers" in your settings. This feature silences calls from numbers not in your contacts, sending them directly to voicemail.
-
Android: Activate the spam protection feature in your phone's call settings. This will warn you about potential spam calls.
These native features provide a basic level of protection without the need for third-party apps.
2. Leverage Carrier Services
Many mobile carriers offer spam protection services:
-
T-Mobile Scam Shield: This free service identifies and blocks scam calls, ensuring that only legitimate calls reach you. (appshunter.io)
-
AT&T ActiveArmor: Provides spam call blocking and alerts, helping you avoid unwanted calls.
Check with your carrier to see if they offer similar services.
3. Install Third-Party Call Blocking Apps
For enhanced protection, consider third-party apps that specialize in blocking spam calls:
-
Robokiller: This app blocks 99% of robocalls and texts, using advanced algorithms to identify and block spam calls. (appshunter.io)
-
Truecaller: With a global user base of over 300 million, Truecaller identifies unknown callers and flags spam calls in real-time. (fone.tips)
-
Hiya: Hiya offers caller ID, spam detection, and call blocking features, helping you manage unwanted calls effectively. (drfone.wondershare.com)
4. Customize Your Blocklist and Whitelist
To ensure important calls aren't blocked:
-
Whitelist Contacts: Add your contacts to a whitelist within the app or your phone's settings to ensure their calls always come through.
-
Review Blocked Calls: Regularly check the list of blocked calls to ensure no important calls were mistakenly blocked.
5. Stay Vigilant and Educate Yourself
Being aware of common spam call tactics can help you avoid falling victim:
-
Do Not Share Personal Information: Never provide personal or financial information over the phone unless you're certain of the caller's identity.
-
Report Suspicious Calls: Use your app's reporting feature to flag suspicious numbers, helping improve the app's database.
By combining these strategies, you can effectively block spam calls while ensuring that calls from your contacts are not missed.
Highlights:
- Say goodbye to spam calls - NordVPN launches new spam call protection, Published on Tuesday, July 29
