Phone fraud is a pervasive issue affecting iPhone users across the United States. Scammers employ various tactics, such as robocalls and phishing attempts, to deceive individuals and steal personal information. Fortunately, there are several effective methods to protect your iPhone from these threats.
What Built-in Features Can Help Block Spam Calls on My iPhone?
Apple offers several built-in features to help identify and block unwanted calls:
- Silence Unknown Callers: This feature silences calls from numbers not in your contacts, recent calls, or Siri Suggestions, sending them directly to voicemail. To enable it:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Phone.
- Select Silence Unknown Callers and toggle it on.
- Call Blocking & Identification: This allows you to use third-party apps to identify and block spam calls. To set it up:
- Go to Settings > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification.
- Enable the desired apps.
These features can significantly reduce the number of unwanted calls you receive. (support.apple.com)
How Can My Carrier Assist in Blocking Spam Calls?
Many carriers offer services to help block spam calls:
- Verizon: Offers a service called Call Filter, which identifies and blocks potential spam calls.
- T-Mobile: Provides Scam Shield, which includes features like scam call blocking and caller ID.
These services often require activation and may have associated costs. It's advisable to contact your carrier for specific details. (us.norton.com)
What Are Third-Party Apps That Can Help Block Spam Calls?
Third-party apps can offer additional layers of protection:
- Robokiller: This app identifies and blocks spam calls using a large database of known spam numbers.
- Truecaller: Provides caller ID and spam blocking features.
These apps often require a subscription but can be effective in reducing spam calls. (us.norton.com)
How Can I Manually Block Specific Numbers on My iPhone?
To block a specific number:
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap Recents.
- Find the number you want to block.
- Tap the Info button next to the number.
- Scroll down and tap Block this Caller.
This will prevent the blocked number from calling or texting you. (howtogeek.com)
What Are Some Additional Tips to Prevent Phone Fraud on My iPhone?
- Be Cautious with Unknown Numbers: Avoid answering calls from unfamiliar numbers, especially if they are from outside your area code.
- Do Not Share Personal Information: Never share personal or financial information over the phone unless you are certain of the caller's identity.
- Report Spam Calls: Use the Report Junk feature in the Messages app to report spam texts.
By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the risk of phone fraud on your iPhone.
Highlights:
- I haven't answered a scam call in months - this hidden iPhone feature is why, Published on Wednesday, March 18
