What is a spoofed call?

A spoofed call occurs when a caller falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise their identity, often used by scammers to appear as legitimate contacts.

How can I block spoofed calls on my iPhone?

On your iPhone, go to Settings > Phone and enable "Silence Unknown Callers" to send calls from numbers not in your contacts directly to voicemail.

What carrier services can help block spoofed calls?

Major US carriers offer services like AT&T's Call Protect, Verizon's Call Filter, and T-Mobile's Scam ID and Scam Block to help identify and block spoofed calls.

Effective Strategies to Reduce Spoofed Calls on Your US Phone Number

Spoofed calls, where scammers falsify caller ID information to appear as legitimate contacts, are a growing concern for US phone users. These deceptive practices can lead to unwanted solicitations and potential security risks. Fortunately, there are several effective strategies to reduce the frequency of spoofed calls:

How Can Built-in Phone Features Help Block Spoofed Calls?

Modern smartphones offer built-in features designed to identify and block suspicious calls:

iPhone Users: Activate the "Silence Unknown Callers" feature by navigating to Settings > Phone and toggling on "Silence Unknown Callers." This setting sends calls from numbers not in your contacts directly to voicemail. (security.org)
Android Users: Enable "Caller ID and Spam Protection" by going to Settings > Spam and Call Screen, then toggling on "See Caller & Spam ID" and "Filter Spam Calls." This feature helps identify and filter out potential spam calls. (security.org)

What Carrier Services Are Available to Combat Spoofed Calls?

Major US carriers provide tools to help block unwanted calls:

AT&T: Offers Call Protect, which displays a "V" (for verified) on your caller ID for legitimate calls and blocks potentially fraudulent calls by giving a busy signal. (consumerreports.org)
Verizon: Provides Call Filter, which detects spam and blocks high-risk calls. Verizon also offers Call Filter Plus, a paid service that blocks unwanted calls. (consumerreports.org)
T-Mobile: Features Scam ID and Scam Block. Scam ID identifies and tags suspicious calls, while Scam Block blocks calls before they ring. (consumerreports.org)

How Do Third-Party Apps Enhance Call Protection?

Third-party applications can offer additional layers of protection:

Robokiller: This app uses advanced algorithms and a vast database of known spam numbers to block unwanted calls effectively. It also provides features like call blocking, spam detection, and reporting.
Hiya: Offers real-time spam detection and blocking, along with caller ID services.
Truecaller: Provides spam identification and blocking, along with a community-based spam list.

These apps can be downloaded from your device's app store and often offer both free and premium versions.

What Are Additional Steps to Prevent Spoofed Calls?

Beyond technological solutions, consider the following practices:

Avoid Answering Unknown Numbers: If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail. (security.org)
Don't Share Personal Information: Never provide personal or financial information over the phone unless you're certain of the caller's identity.
Report Unwanted Calls: Report unwanted calls to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This helps authorities track and take action against scammers. (ftc.gov)

How Can You Stay Informed About New Scams?

Staying informed about the latest scams can help you recognize and avoid them:

Follow Official Sources: Regularly check updates from the FTC and FCC for information on new scams and protective measures.
Educate Yourself and Others: Share information about spoofed calls and scams with friends and family to help protect them as well.

By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the number of spoofed calls you receive and protect your personal information from potential threats.