Unwanted calls, including robocalls and spam, are a persistent nuisance for many US phone users. In 2025, Americans received over 52.5 billion robocalls, averaging roughly 13–15 spam calls per person each month. (antivirus.com) This surge in unsolicited communications not only disrupts daily life but also poses potential security risks.
What Are Unwanted Calls?
Unwanted calls encompass a range of unsolicited communications, such as:
- Robocalls: Automated calls delivering pre-recorded messages, often for telemarketing or scam purposes.
- Spam Calls: Unsolicited calls promoting products, services, or fraudulent schemes.
- Scam Calls: Calls designed to deceive individuals into providing personal or financial information.
Why Are Unwanted Calls a Problem?
These calls can lead to:
- Privacy Invasion: Exposure to personal information.
- Financial Loss: Potential scams leading to monetary theft.
- Time Wastage: Interruptions during important tasks or rest periods.
How Can You Protect Your US Phone Number?
To safeguard your phone number from unwanted calls, consider the following strategies:
- Utilize Built-in Phone Features
- iPhone: Activate the "Silence Unknown Callers" feature to automatically send calls from unknown numbers to voicemail.
- Android: Enable spam protection settings to filter out potential spam calls.
- Leverage Carrier Services
Many US carriers offer free tools to block robocalls before they reach your device:
- AT&T: ActiveArmor
- Verizon: Call Filter
- T-Mobile: Scam Shield
These services can significantly reduce the volume of unwanted calls. (consumeraffairs.com)
- Install Third-Party Call Blocking Apps
For enhanced protection, consider third-party apps that offer advanced features:
-
Robokiller: This app employs diverse methods, including blacklisting, whitelisting, and identification, to prevent robocalls and spam calls. Beyond call blocking, it offers versatile features like call screening, forwarding, and voicemail transcription. Robokiller is available for $3.99/month or $39.99/year. (antivirus.com)
-
Truecaller: With a global user base of over 300 million, Truecaller identifies unknown callers in real time, flags known spam, and lets you search numbers manually. The free version includes ads and basic caller ID, while the premium version ($2.99/month) removes ads and adds advanced blocking features. (claritycheck.com)
-
Hiya: Hiya powers the built-in spam detection on Samsung devices and AT&T phones. As a standalone app, it offers caller ID, spam detection, and call blocking. The free tier is ad-supported with basic features, while Hiya Premium ($3.99/month) adds automatic spam blocking, personal number lookup, and a reverse phone lookup feature. (claritycheck.com)
How Does Robokiller Compare to Other Apps?
Robokiller distinguishes itself with unique features:
-
Answer Bots: Instead of merely blocking spam calls, Robokiller answers them with pre-recorded "answer bots" that waste the scammer's time, reducing their capacity to target other users. (entreresource.com)
-
Comprehensive Call Management: Beyond blocking, Robokiller offers call screening, forwarding, and voicemail transcription, providing a holistic solution to unwanted calls. (antivirus.com)
Are There Any Drawbacks to Using Robokiller?
While Robokiller offers robust features, it's a paid service, which may be a consideration for some users. Additionally, the app requires access to your contacts and call logs to function effectively, which may raise privacy concerns for some individuals.
Conclusion
Protecting your US phone number from unwanted calls is essential for maintaining privacy and security. While built-in features and carrier services provide a baseline level of protection, third-party apps like Robokiller offer advanced capabilities to enhance your defense against robocalls and spam. By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the intrusion of unwanted calls in your daily life.
Highlights:
- Your Android phone could soon get a better way to sniff out spoofed calls, Published on Thursday, April 16
- Android now warns before you open banking apps during risky calls, Published on Wednesday, December 03
- 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
