Receiving calls from unknown numbers can be both inconvenient and potentially risky. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can employ to screen these calls effectively.
What Are the Risks of Unknown Callers?
Unknown callers often include telemarketers, robocallers, and scammers attempting to solicit personal information or money. Answering such calls can lead to unwanted solicitations or even financial loss.
How Can I Screen Unknown Callers on an iPhone?
iPhones offer built-in features to manage calls from unknown numbers:
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Silence Unknown Callers: This feature automatically silences calls from numbers not saved in your contacts. The call will go directly to voicemail, and the number will appear in your recent calls list. (support.apple.com)
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Ask Reason for Calling: Introduced in iOS 26, this feature prompts unknown callers to state their name and reason for calling before your phone rings. This allows you to decide whether to answer the call based on the caller's response. (tomsguide.com)
How Can I Screen Unknown Callers on an Android Phone?
Android devices, particularly those using the Google Phone app, provide several options:
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Block Unknown Callers: You can block calls from numbers that do not display a caller ID. This feature is available in the Google Phone app under Settings > Blocked Numbers > Unknown. (howtogeek.com)
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Call Screening: On Google Pixel devices, the Call Screen feature uses Google Assistant to ask unknown callers about the purpose of their call. You receive a real-time transcript of their response, allowing you to decide whether to answer or decline the call. (makeuseof.com)
Are There Third-Party Apps to Help Screen Unknown Callers?
Yes, several apps can assist in identifying and blocking unwanted calls:
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Robokiller: This app uses advanced algorithms to identify and block spam calls, providing real-time alerts and detailed reports.
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Truecaller: Offers a large database of known spam numbers and provides caller ID services. (makeuseof.com)
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Hiya: Provides spam detection and caller ID features, helping you identify and block unwanted calls.
How Do I Block Specific Numbers on My Phone?
Both iPhone and Android devices allow you to block specific numbers:
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iPhone: Open the Phone app, go to Recents, tap the information icon next to the number you want to block, and select "Block this Caller." (usmobile.com)
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Android: Open the Phone app, go to Recents, tap the number you want to block, and select "Block" or "Block/Report spam." (usmobile.com)
How Can I Report Unwanted Calls?
Reporting unwanted calls can help authorities track and take action against scammers:
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Federal Trade Commission (FTC): You can report unwanted calls to the FTC through their website.
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Carrier Services: Some carriers offer services to report and block spam calls. For example, AT&T provides Call Protect, which helps identify and block potential fraudsters. (att.com)
Conclusion
Managing unknown callers is essential for maintaining your privacy and security. Utilizing built-in features on your device, third-party apps, and reporting mechanisms can significantly reduce unwanted calls.
Highlights:
- Your Android phone could soon get a better way to sniff out spoofed calls, Published on Thursday, April 16
- I haven't answered a scam call in months - this hidden iPhone feature is why, Published on Wednesday, March 18
