Your phone rings. It's a number from your area code, so you pick up, and a recorded voice starts talking about your car's extended warranty, a "problem" with your Social Security number or a refund you never asked for. Spam calls and robocalls are one of the most annoying parts of owning a phone, and some of them are outright scams designed to steal money or personal information.
You can't stop every unwanted call, but you can block the vast majority of them for free. Here is a step-by-step guide to stopping spam calls and robocalls on iPhone and Android, plus the free carrier tools and government lists that actually help.
Why Am I Getting So Many Spam Calls?
Robocalls are cheap. Computer systems can dial thousands of numbers a minute, and calls can be placed from anywhere in the world over the internet. Scammers also use caller ID spoofing, which makes a call look like it is coming from a local number, a real company or even a government agency. That is why so many spam calls seem to come from your own area code. It's a trick called "neighbor spoofing," designed to make you answer.
Your number may also have been shared through data breaches, online forms, contests and data brokers. Once it is on a list, it can be sold again and again.
Step 1: Turn On Your Phone's Built-In Spam Protection
On iPhone
- Silence or screen unknown callers: Open Settings, tap Apps, then Phone. Depending on your iOS version, you will see Silence Unknown Callers or Screen Unknown Callers. Silencing sends calls from numbers that aren't in your contacts, recent calls or Siri Suggestions straight to voicemail. On newer versions of iOS, call screening can ask unknown callers for their name and reason for calling before your phone rings.
- Block a number: In the Phone app, tap Recents, tap the info button next to the number, scroll down and choose Block Caller.
- Use a call-blocking app: In the same Phone settings, the Call Blocking & Identification menu lets you turn on spam-blocking apps you have installed, such as your carrier's app.
One catch: silencing unknown callers can also silence the doctor's office, a delivery driver or a new contact. Check your voicemail regularly and add important numbers to your contacts.
On Android (Google Phone app)
- Open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, then Settings.
- Look for Caller ID & spam (on some versions called Spam and Call Screen).
- Turn on See caller & spam ID and Filter spam calls. Suspected spam calls will no longer ring your phone.
- On Google Pixel phones, Call Screen can automatically answer unknown numbers and ask who is calling, so you see a live transcript before deciding to pick up.
- To block a single number, open Recents, tap the number, and choose Block/report spam.
On Samsung Galaxy phones
- Open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, then Settings.
- Tap Caller ID and spam protection and turn it on. You can choose to block high-risk spam calls automatically.
- Under Block numbers, you can also block calls from unknown or private numbers.
Step 2: Use Your Carrier's Free Blocking Tools
The big US wireless carriers all offer free spam-blocking services, usually through an app, with paid upgrades for extra features:
- AT&T: ActiveArmor
- Verizon: Call Filter
- T-Mobile: Scam Shield
These tools label calls as "Spam Risk" or "Scam Likely" and can block the worst offenders before they reach you. Because carriers see calling patterns across millions of customers, they often catch new scam numbers quickly.
Carriers are also required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to use a caller ID authentication system called STIR/SHAKEN, which helps verify that the number on your screen is the real number placing the call. It doesn't stop every spoofed call, especially those coming from overseas networks, but it makes spoofing harder.
Step 3: Join the National Do Not Call Registry
Add your number to the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register. It's free, run by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and your registration does not expire.
Be realistic about what it does. The registry stops sales calls from legitimate companies that follow the law, and it may take up to 31 days to take effect. Scammers ignore it. Political calls, charities, surveys and debt collectors are also allowed to call. Still, it reduces the number of legal telemarketing calls, which makes the remaining calls easier to spot as suspicious.
Step 4: Change How You Answer
- Let unknown numbers go to voicemail. Real callers usually leave a message.
- Don't press any buttons. If a recording says "press 1 to speak to an agent" or "press 2 to be removed from our list," hang up. Pressing a key confirms your number is active, which can lead to even more calls.
- Don't trust caller ID. A call that shows your bank, the IRS or the Social Security Administration may be spoofed. Hang up and call back using a number you look up yourself.
- Never give out codes or personal information. No real bank or government agency will call and ask you to read back a verification code, buy gift cards or wire money.
Common Phone Scams to Watch For
- Government impostors: Callers claiming to be from the IRS, Social Security or Medicare, often threatening arrest or a suspended benefit.
- Bank fraud alerts: A "fraud department" that asks you to confirm your card number or move money to a "safe account."
- Car warranty and debt relief offers: Pushy sales pitches that often lead to worthless contracts.
- Family emergency scams: A caller pretending to be a grandchild or relative in trouble who needs money fast. Scammers can now use AI to copy voices. In 2024 the FCC ruled that robocalls using AI-generated voices fall under the same rules as other artificial or prerecorded calls.
- Delivery and prize scams: A "missed package" or "you've won" message that asks for a fee or personal details.
The same tricks show up in email and text messages. Learn the warning signs in our guide on how to spot a phishing email, and if you think a scammer got access to your device, read how to tell if your phone has been hacked. Switching important accounts to passkeys instead of passwords also makes stolen codes far less useful to criminals.
Step 5: Report Spam Calls
Reporting helps regulators and carriers track down scammers. In the US, you can report unwanted calls to the FTC at donotcall.gov or ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and file complaints with the FCC. Marking calls as spam in your phone app or carrier app also trains their filters to protect other people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a way to stop all spam calls?
No single tool stops every spam call, but combining your phone's spam filter, your carrier's free blocking app and the Do Not Call Registry blocks most of them.
Why do spam calls use my area code?
It's called neighbor spoofing. Scammers fake a local number because people are more likely to answer a call that looks local.
Does the Do Not Call Registry really work?
It stops sales calls from legitimate companies, but scammers ignore it. It is still worth joining because it's free and permanent.
Should I answer and say "stop calling me"?
It's better not to answer unknown numbers at all. Talking or pressing buttons confirms your number is active.
Does blocking a number on my phone stop texts too?
On both iPhone and Android, blocking a contact or number generally blocks calls and regular text messages from that number.
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