Robocalls just won't go away. Try as you might to ignore the ring of telemarketers, the spam always seems to return, no matter what you do. Show
While the Federal Communications Commission has beefed up its own policies around spam and robocalls, it's still mostly on you to stop these annoyances. Whether you have an iPhone or Android phone, here's how you can block spam calls and robocalls for good. Note: An Insider survey in February 2021 found that 46% of Americans say they receive spam calls on their cell phone every single day. How to stop spam calls
How to block spam calls on iPhoneSpam calls on iPhones can be blocked by either blocking individual numbers or filtering unknown callers. Block individual numbersTo block a phone number on your iPhone, locate the robocall number on your Phone app's Recent calls list. Next, tap the "i" icon to the right of the number and select "Block Contact" from the options list. Filter unknown callers1. Open the Settings app. 2. Tap on Phone and select Silence Unknown Callers. Quick tip: Turning on Do Not Disturb mode can also help by silencing all notifications that you don't explicitly allow. How to block spam calls on AndroidMuch like on iPhone, you can also block spam calls on Android. Block individual numbersTo block a number on Android, tap and hold the number in your recent calls list until a menu appears. Then select whatever variation of "Block/Report Spam" is available. Any phone with the Android 11 update now has access to expanded robocall identification and prevention that helps call-screening apps more effectively sort out robocalls from real ones. Filter unknown callersSome Android devices allow you to block unknown calls as well. Like on iPhones, this is typically found in the Settings app under Phone. Other ways to block spam callsWhile the above can be effective, there are other ways to address spam calls. Join the US national Do Not Call registryThe National Do Not Call Registry takes you off of the public lists that telemarketers use to make their mass calls. While joining won't stop charities, political groups, debt collectors, and surveys from contacting you, it may reduce the number of spam calls you get. It also lets you report unwanted spam calls to the Federal Trade Commission. You can register your number on the Do Not Call list at no cost by calling 1-888-382-1222 (voice) or 1-866-290-4236 (TTY). You can also do it online by following the steps below: 1. Go to DoNotCall.gov and hit the "Register" link. 2. Enter your phone number without hyphens (you can register three at a time, in fact) and your email address (for confirmation). 3. Go to your email and find the message from [email protected] within 72 hours of your submission. 4. Follow the steps within the email to complete the registration process. Use tools developed by phone carriersMost cell phone carriers have a number of free or low-cost tools available to help you automatically block robocalls and protect you from spam.
Quick tip: If your carrier isn't listed above, call their customer service line to find out what robocall and spam-blocking tools they have available. Download third-party call blocker appsAnother way to stop robocalls is to install a call-blocking app. Such apps actually intercept and answer calls for you, so they never ring through and annoy you, or expose you to a scam. Many of these apps also actively collect data on spammers, blocking them permanently once they have been identified —so by using a robocall blocking app, you're helping not just yourself but other callers. However, it is important to use a legitimate app and to conduct your own research. In order to function, these apps need access to both your call logs and contacts, which is sensitive information. Here are two reliable apps you can try that are available on iPhone and Android:
Steven John Freelance Writer Steven John is a freelance writer living near New York City by way of 12 years in Los Angeles, four in Boston, and the first 18 near DC. When not writing or spending time with his wife and kids, he can occasionally be found climbing mountains. His writing is spread across the web, and his books can be found at www.stevenjohnbooks.com. Read more Read lessDave Johnson Freelance Writer Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider. Read more Read lessKyle Wilson Kyle Wilson is an editor for the Reference team, based in British Columbia, Canada. Outside of Insider, his work has also appeared in publications like The Verge, VICE, Kotaku, and more. He periodically guest co-hosts the Saturday tech show "Tech Talk" on the iHeartRadio station C-FAX 1070. Feel free to reach out to him on Twitter, where he can be found most of the time, @KWilsonMG. Read more Read lessWe may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective. Why am I getting so many spam calls on my cell phone?The main reason people are getting more spam calls is the sales spammers make through these calls are worth their while. Meanwhile, there's hardly any downside for scammers and spammers: Their identities are easily concealed over a call, and there is a general lack of legislation that would prevent these activities.
How do I stop automatic spam calls?On your device, open the Phone app . Spam and Call Screen. Turn See caller & spam ID on or off. Optional: To block spam calls on your phone, turn on "Filter spam calls." You don't get missed call or voicemail notifications, but filtered calls are in your call history, and you can check your voicemail.
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How to stop spam calls on your cell phone
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