Receiving unwanted spam calls is a common nuisance for many phone users in the United States. Implementing effective strategies can help you distinguish legitimate calls from spam, ensuring you stay connected with important contacts while avoiding interruptions.
What Are Spam Calls and Why Are They a Problem?
Spam calls, often originating from telemarketers, scammers, or robocallers, can clutter your phone with unwanted interruptions. These calls may attempt to sell products, solicit donations, or, in worse cases, engage in fraudulent activities. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) notes that scammers often use technology to fake the name or number on your caller ID, making it challenging to identify unwanted calls. (consumer.ftc.gov)
How Can I Block Unwanted Calls on My Phone?
For iPhone Users:
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Silence Unknown Callers: This feature silences calls from numbers not in your contacts, sending them directly to voicemail. To activate:
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Go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers and toggle it on. (techradar.com)
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Third-Party Apps: Applications like Truecaller maintain databases of known spam numbers and can identify and block them. After downloading, grant the necessary permissions to enable call blocking. (consumer.ftc.gov)
For Android Users:
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Built-in Features: Many Android phones offer built-in spam protection. For instance, Google's Phone app can identify and block suspected spam calls. Ensure your device is updated to access these features. (androidcentral.com)
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Third-Party Apps: Apps like RoboKiller and Hiya can detect and block spam calls. These apps use databases of known spam numbers to filter out unwanted calls. (kiplinger.com)
Are There Carrier Services to Help Block Spam Calls?
Yes, many US carriers offer services to help block spam calls:
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AT&T: Provides Call Protect, which automatically blocks calls from known scammers and labels suspected spam calls. (att.com)
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T-Mobile: Offers Scam ID and Scam Block, which identify and block scam calls at the network level. (t-mobile.com)
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U.S. Cellular: Features Call Guardian, which displays potential spam alerts and allows users to block unwanted calls. (uscellular.com)
How Can I Report Unwanted Calls?
Reporting unwanted calls helps authorities track and combat spam and scam activities:
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Federal Trade Commission (FTC): You can report unwanted calls to the FTC, which helps in taking action against violators. (consumer.ftc.gov)
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Carrier Reporting: Some carriers allow users to report spam calls directly through their services or apps. Check with your carrier for specific reporting options.
What Are Some Additional Tips to Avoid Spam Calls?
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Do Not Answer Unknown Numbers: If you receive a call from an unfamiliar number, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate callers will leave a message.
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Be Cautious with Your Number: Limit sharing your phone number online and with untrusted sources to reduce the chances of it being added to spam call lists.
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Stay Informed: Regularly update your phone's software and apps to benefit from the latest security features and spam protection.
By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the number of spam calls you receive, ensuring that your phone remains a tool for genuine communication.
Highlights:
- Tired of Unwanted Calls? Here's How to Help Thwart the Robocaller Invasion, Published on Friday, March 06
- Your Android phone could soon get a better way to sniff out spoofed calls, Published on Thursday, April 16
- How to block spam calls on iPhone, Published on Saturday, August 23
