Preventing Spam Phone Calls · Reviewed! By Advise.so

Preventing Spam Phone Calls

To effectively prevent spam phone calls, several strategies and tools can be employed. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you reduce unwanted calls.

National Do Not Call Registry: Register your phone number for free at the National Do Not Call Registry by calling 1-888-382-1222 or visiting their website. This will help reduce calls from legitimate telemarketers, although it won't stop scammers from calling you

Utilize Built-in Phone Features

Silence Unknown Callers (iPhone): On iPhones with iOS 13 or later, enable the "Silence Unknown Callers" feature. This sends calls from unknown numbers directly to voicemail
Blocking Specific Numbers: Both Android and iPhone allow users to block specific numbers. On iPhones, tap the info icon next to a recent call and select "Block this Caller"

Use Mobile Carrier Services

Carrier-Specific Tools: Many mobile carriers offer built-in tools to help block spam calls:AT&T: Use the ActiveArmor app for call filtering and spam detection

Install Third-Party Apps

Several apps are available that specialize in blocking spam calls:

Hiya: Identifies and blocks known spam numbers, offering a free version with basic features
RoboKiller: Blocks unwanted calls and provides a spam call database for identification
Truecaller: Identifies incoming calls and can automatically block known spammers; offers bothfree and premium versions

General Best Practices

Avoid Engaging with Spam Calls: Do not answer or engage with unknown callers. Engaging can lead to your number being flagged as active, resulting in more spam calls
Report Spam Calls: Report unwanted calls to the FTC. This helps authorities track and take action against scammers

By combining these methods, you can significantly reduce the volume of spam phone calls you

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