Protecting Your Family from Phone Scams on Verizon iPhone

Phone scams are a persistent threat, but with the right tools and practices, you can protect your family from these intrusions on your Verizon iPhone. Here's how:

What Built-in Features Can Help Block Spam Calls on My iPhone?

Your iPhone offers several features to help block unwanted calls:

• Silence Unknown Callers: This feature sends calls from unknown numbers directly to voicemail. To activate it:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Phone.
3. Select Silence Unknown Callers and toggle it on.

• Ask Reason for Calling: Introduced in iOS 26, this feature prompts unknown callers to state their name and reason for calling before the call rings through. To enable it:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Phone.
3. Select Screen Unknown Callers.
4. Toggle on Ask Reason for Calling.

These features can significantly reduce unwanted calls. (tomsguide.com)

How Does Verizon's Call Filter Enhance Call Security?

Verizon offers the Call Filter app, which screens incoming calls to alert you if a number may be spam, a robocall, or fraud. It detects spam and blocks high-risk spam calls by forwarding them to voicemail. To use Call Filter:

1. Download the Verizon Call Filter app from the App Store.
2. Open the app and follow the on-screen instructions to set it up.

The free version includes spam detection, spam filtering, and a spam and blocked call log. For additional features like Caller ID and personal block lists, you can upgrade to Call Filter Plus for $3.99 per month per line. (community.verizon.com)

What Is Verizon Protect and How Does It Safeguard My Family?

Verizon Protect is a comprehensive security app designed to enhance your digital safety and reduce the likelihood of identity theft. Key features include:

• Safe Browsing: Helps protect you from malicious websites and phishing attempts.
• Device Scan: Checks if your device has the latest system software updates and security settings enabled.
• Wi-Fi Scan: Analyzes Wi-Fi networks for potential security vulnerabilities.

With a subscription to Digital Secure Premium, you get additional protections like a secure VPN and dark web monitoring. To install Verizon Protect:

1. Download the Verizon Protect app from the App Store.
2. Open the app and follow the setup instructions.

Verizon Protect is available for free, with premium features requiring a subscription. (apps.apple.com)

How Can I Report and Block Spam Text Messages on My iPhone?

To handle and block spam texts:

1. Don't Respond: Avoid replying to unwanted or suspicious texts, even to say "STOP."
2. Report Spammers to Verizon: Forward the spam text to 7726 (SPAM).
3. Filter Potential Spam Texts: Use tools like Call Filter to identify and block spam texts.
4. Block Specific Senders: In your Messages app, tap the sender's name, then tap the "info" icon, and select "Block this Caller."

Additionally, you can enable the Filter Unknown Senders feature:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Messages.
3. Toggle on Filter Unknown Senders.

This will separate messages from unknown senders into a separate tab, reducing the chance of receiving spam texts. (verizon.com)

What Are Additional Tips to Protect My Family from Phone Scams?

• Educate Your Family: Teach family members about the risks of phone scams and encourage them to be cautious with unknown callers.
• Regularly Update Your Device: Ensure your iPhone's software is up to date to benefit from the latest security features.
• Use Strong, Unique Passwords: For accounts linked to your phone, use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication when possible.

By combining these built-in features with Verizon's tools, you can significantly reduce the risk of phone scams affecting your family.

Highlights:

• I haven't answered a scam call in months - this hidden iPhone feature is why, Published on Wednesday, March 18