For all their versatility, smartphones have become the modern equivalent of the Swiss Army knife. Although many of us take hundreds of calls daily, we are very familiar with the flood of spam calls. In this article, we will show you how to block spam calls on both Android and iPhone devices automatically, just in case you were wondering if there was an easy way to do that.
How to Block Spam Calls
Spam calls are unsolicited mass calls sent by an unknown sender to a large number of recipients. In an effort to steal your personal information or money, spam calls frequently use deceptive tactics. Some examples of spam calls include telemarketing, robocalls, spoofing, and insurance and IRS scams.
You should expect a decrease in spam calls as your engagement with spam decreases. Your number may be added to a list of numbers that frequently answer, respond, or fall for scams if you answer a spam call. As a result, fraudsters may increase their targeting of these numbers in the hopes that someone, inadvertently or not, may provide critical information.
How to Block Spam Calls on iPhone
To know how to block spam calls on your iPhone, you can either disable calls from all unknown numbers or block specific unknown callers. By blocking all unknown numbers except those you’ve already spoken with, you can protect yourself from potentially harmful spam calls, such as tech support scams, but you may also block legitimate unknown callers.
If you occasionally have to answer calls from unknown numbers, it’s best to know how to block spam calls on your iPhone altogether or block callers one by one.
Block individual unknown callers
To ban a number, open the Phone app and locate it. Your contact history with the number determines where it might be located; it might be in the Recents list, Contacts, Favorites, or Voicemail, for example.
- Next to the number, tap the i icon.
- Select block this caller from the list.
- Select block contact to validate.
That’s the method for selectively blocking spam calls on an iPhone. Another thing you might want to know is that your iPhone has a filtering system that allows you to block all unknown numbers.
Block All Unknown Callers
You can set your phone to not allow calls from unknown sources if you get a lot of spam calls daily. Phone spoofing, in which fraudulent numbers masquerade as those of legitimate businesses or organizations, is something this measure can help prevent.
Here’s how to restrict or block access to any private or unknown phone numbers on an iPhone:
- Go to Settings and scroll to Phone.
- Scroll and tap Silence Unknown Callers.
- Slide the toggle on (so that the green part is showing).
From now on, you can only receive calls from the numbers in your contacts and those with whom you have already communicated. Any number that shows up in your WhatsApp or text message app will also be allowed on your iPhone. That way, valid numbers can get through while completely random ones are filtered out. In your Recents lists, you can still view all attempted calls.
How to Block Spam Calls on Android
For Android devices, there are various ways to prevent unwanted calls. Additionally, you have the option to either block all calls from unknown numbers or designate certain calls as spam.
To block spam calls on Android, follow these steps:
Put the caller ID and spam filtering features to good use.
By using the caller ID and spam protection tool, a user can learn more about unknown callers or businesses that do not appear in their contact list.
The following instructions will show you how to activate or deactivate the caller ID and spam protection features.
- Launch the Voice app on your mobile device.
- Select “More options” by tapping the three dots. Go to Settings and then touch on the “Spam and Call Screen” option.
- Customize your caller ID and spam filter settings.
- Toggle the option to block calls from spam and scammers by tapping Block numbers.
After you do this, your call history and voicemail will only display the filtered calls. You won’t see them as unanswered calls. In the last step, you’ll find a toggle that you may move to turn off Android’s spam call-blocking feature.
Assign each call to the spam category.
Here is the process for designating specific phone numbers as spam and blocking them.
- Launch the Phone app and go to the Recents section.
- Most recently displayed on the mobile app
- Choose Info (i) after tapping the number you wish to ban.
- After that, choose the kind of spam call that corresponds to the number, and then tap Report. Choose the OK option.
- The report is underlined and accepted.
- Press Block on the information screen.
- The block is in bold.
Alternative Ways to Stop Spam Calls
There are additional methods to block spam calls outside the ones already included on your iPhone or Android device. Some examples of these are third-party apps, your phone company’s service, and a national registry.
In order to stop receiving spam calls, follow these steps.
Go to the Do Not Call Registry and add your number.
Before dialing a number, telemarketers look it up in a public database. Excluding your number from such a list is the job of the Do Not Call Registry. You should still be prepared to receive unsolicited calls from unknown sources, including politicians, charities, and debt collectors, even if this strategy does a good job of reducing these forms of spam.
To get your number added to the National Do Not Contact Registry, you can call 1-888-382-1222 (voice) or 1-866-290-4236 (TTY), and it will cost you nothing. It is also possible to do it online.
Here’s how to stop spam callers by getting on the Do Not Call Registry:
Simply visit the FTC’s website and look for the “Register” link to join the National Do Not Call Registry.
Do not use hyphens when entering your phone number. Three digits can be entered simultaneously. Provide your email address so we can confirm your request.
You have 72 hours from the time of submission to open the confirmation email.
To finish, just follow the instructions in the email.
If your mobile provider has spam filters, you should use them.
Upon receiving a dubious call, the majority of phone companies will typically display the words “spam risk” or “scam likely” as a result of their usage of machine learning. It would be wise for you to block and disregard these calls. Get familiar with the steps to stop “scam-like” calls on your Android or iPhone before you even receive one. It’s the same as blocking individual numbers, as mentioned before.
Additional spam-blocking measures are also available with phone carriers such as Verizon and AT&T. Automated call blocking, robocall blocking, and spam call blocking are possible with some of these free tools.
You can block unwanted calls for free using AT&T’s ActiveArmor software. To unlock more sophisticated capabilities, you can upgrade. You can get a free, basic version of Verizon’s Call Filter or upgrade to get more features. To find out if your supplier offers something comparable, you should inquire with them.
Protect yourself with a trustworthy third-party app.
You may find apps that are specifically made to detect and prevent spam calls, such as Call Filter on Google Play or Robo Shield Spam Call Blocker on the App Store. To pick the finest scam call blocker software for your needs, try out a few different ones. They all utilize different methods to identify and prevent spam calls. To ensure it is not a virus, read reviews and search for the app’s name on Google.
To prevent advertisers from monitoring your online activities, search for spam-blocking software that includes anti-tracking functions.
Why Am I Getting So Many Spam Calls?
Someone probably got their hands on your phone number and is now calling you with spam. Either someone sold your information or you accidentally submitted it somewhere it shouldn’t have been. You can end up getting even more spam calls if you answer your phone to these calls.
In case you haven’t figured out why “random numbers call me,” Allow me to explain:
- It appears that you made an error when entering your phone number.
- Somebody leaked your number.
- You unwittingly shared your phone number with an online scammer during your interaction with them.
- Someone randomly dialed your number.
- At one point, you answered a spam call.
Con artists use a random number generator to back up their fraudulent schemes. On occasion, they purchase numbers from businesses, some of which may be ones you’ve dealt with previously. On the other hand, data breaches might provide scammers with numbers.
It all begins like that. However, once you answer even one fraudulent call or give up your number to a scammer without realizing it, the floodgates open.
Some spammers may even employ phone spoofs to contact you, claiming to be someone you know or have known in the past. “Hey, remember me?” they’ll say their name as if you knew them. When you hear the words “It’s Tom!” your mind will immediately go to a Tom you haven’t seen or spoken to for quite some time. In order for you to not suspect their deceit, they will keep the talk general and use information about you that is already available to the public, such as from social media. One form of social engineering is that. Yet another is phishing.
Be aware of the potential dangers of answering calls and whether or not your phone is vulnerable to hacking via calls. The problem with internet fraud is far more widespread than spam calls, so it’s important to take extra precautions even if you’re cautious.
Does 662 Really Block Spam Calls?
If your caller ID flags a number as “Scam Likely,” the #662# spam blocker will not allow the call. Unfortunately, it is unable to ban spam or scam messages or anonymous or fake phone calls.
Why Am I Getting So Many Spam Calls on My Cell Phone?
If you’re getting a lot of calls from unknown numbers, it’s possible that a fraudster gang has purchased your number. As soon as your number is sold, any scammer who gets their hands on it will utilize it. Under the guise of expertise, they attempt various forms of fraud on you.
Is There a Way to Automatically Block All Spam Calls?
How can I permanently disable caller ID spam? To avoid unwanted calls from unknown numbers, install an app that filters incoming calls, and add your number to the national Do Not Call Registry (dial 1-888-382-1222 or 1-866-290-4236 for TTY callers).
Is It Better to Ignore or Decline Spam Calls?
The smart thing to do when you get a spam robocall is to ignore it. Even if you don’t end up falling for the scam, the con artists will still view your number as “good” if you answer the call. They will give it another go because they have a feeling the other party could be a fraud victim.
Does * 61 Block Unwanted Calls on Landline?
Can *61 prevent unsolicited calls? Sure, after you’ve received a call, dialing *61 will block any further calls. By tapping *60 on your phone, you can prevent that specific number from contacting you again.
How Do I Block Myself From Calling a Number?
Several approaches can be used to complete the task.
- To conceal your phone number, dial *67.
- By default, both iOS and Android will block your number.
- Put a block on your number by contacting your carrier.
- Instead of using your personal phone number, make calls using a burner app….
- Manage your landline as well.
- HOW TO CALL FROM UNKNOWN NUMBER: Easy Tips & Tricks
- HOW TO SIGN UP PHONE NUMBER FOR SPAM CALLS
- EMAIL SPAMMER BOT: What It Means & All to Know
- How to Stop Spam Emails: Comprehensive Guide
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