Scam calls are a pervasive issue in the United States, with millions of Americans receiving unwanted and potentially harmful calls daily. These unsolicited calls can disrupt daily life and pose significant risks, especially to families. Fortunately, there are several effective strategies to protect your family from these intrusions.
What Are Scam Calls and Why Are They a Concern?
Scam calls encompass unsolicited promotions, impersonation scams, and robocalls that individuals did not request. Robocalls use automated dialers and recorded messages, some of which are fraudulent or nuisances. Common tactics include impersonating banks, government agencies, or delivery firms; tech support schemes that demand urgent payment; warranty and debt-relief pitches; investment and cryptocurrency ploys; and phishing that tries to capture one-time passcodes. (mcafee.com)
How Can I Block Scam Calls on My Family's Phones?
For iPhone Users:
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Enable Silence Unknown Callers: Navigate to Settings > Phone and toggle on "Silence Unknown Callers." This feature silences calls from numbers not in your contacts, sending them directly to voicemail. (mcafee.com)
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Use Built-in Call Blocking: Go to Settings > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification to allow trusted caller ID apps to filter calls. (mcafee.com)
For Android Users:
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Activate Call Screening: Depending on your device, you can enable call screening features that automatically screen unknown calls. For instance, on Samsung Galaxy S26, navigate to Call Settings > Call Screening to activate this feature. (tomsguide.com)
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Block Calls from Unidentified Callers: Open the Phone app, tap the three dots > Settings > Blocked Numbers, and enable "Block Calls From Unidentified Callers." (consumerreports.org)
Are There Carrier Services to Help Block Scam Calls?
Yes, many carriers offer services to help block scam calls:
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T-Mobile: Offers Scam ID and Scam Block features. Scam ID labels suspected scam calls as "Scam Likely," while Scam Block automatically blocks these calls before they reach your phone. You can activate these features through the Scam Shield app or by dialing #662# from your T-Mobile device. (t-mobile.com)
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AT&T: Provides ActiveArmor, a service that identifies and blocks scam calls. (consumerreports.org)
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Verizon: Offers Call Filter, which identifies and blocks potential spam calls. (consumerreports.org)
What Are Third-Party Apps That Can Help Block Scam Calls?
Several reputable apps can assist in blocking scam calls:
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RoboKiller: An app that uses advanced algorithms to identify and block scam calls, providing real-time alerts and detailed reports. (kiplinger.com)
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Hiya: Offers a comprehensive database of known scam numbers and provides real-time alerts. (kiplinger.com)
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Truecaller: Identifies unknown numbers and blocks spam calls, with a large user community contributing to its database. (kiplinger.com)
Note: While these apps are effective, they may occasionally block legitimate calls. It's essential to review blocked calls regularly to ensure no important calls are missed.
How Can I Report Scam Calls to Protect Others?
Reporting scam calls helps authorities track and combat fraudulent activities:
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Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report unwanted calls to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. (consumer.ftc.gov)
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Federal Communications Commission (FCC): File a complaint with the FCC at Consumer Complaint Center. (consumer.ftc.gov)
What Are Additional Tips to Prevent Scam Calls?
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Register with the National Do Not Call Registry: Add your number to the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce unsolicited calls. (whocalledus.net)
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Be Cautious with Personal Information: Never share personal or financial information over the phone unless you're certain of the recipient's identity.
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Educate Family Members: Ensure all family members, especially children and elderly relatives, are aware of the risks associated with scam calls and know how to handle them.
By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the number of scam calls your family receives, ensuring a safer and more secure communication environment.
Highlights:
- Tired of Unwanted Calls? Here's How to Help Thwart the Robocaller Invasion, Published on Friday, March 06
- How to block spam calls on iPhone, Published on Saturday, August 23
- This hidden Samsung Galaxy S26 feature will filter out scammers and other nuisance calls - here how you switch it on, Published on Wednesday, April 08
