How to stop robocalls and spam calls

You can't stop every unwanted call, but a few free steps dramatically reduce them. Here is what works.

1. Turn on your phone's built-in filtering

• iPhone: Settings → Apps → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers (or Screen Unknown Callerson recent iOS versions). Calls from numbers not in your contacts go to voicemail.
• Android (Google Phone app): Phone → Settings → Spam and Call Screen → enable "See caller & spam ID" and "Filter spam calls".

2. Use your carrier's free tools

Major US carriers offer free spam blocking apps and network-level filtering (for example AT&T ActiveArmor, T-Mobile Scam Shield and Verizon Call Filter). Check your carrier's app or website.

3. Register on the National Do Not Call Registry

Add your number for free at donotcall.gov. Legitimate telemarketers must stop calling within 31 days. Scammers ignore the list, but it cuts down legal sales calls and makes violators easier to identify.

4. Don't engage

• Don't press numbers to "opt out" or speak to an agent – it confirms your number is active.
• Don't say "yes" to questions like "Can you hear me?".
• Let unknown calls go to voicemail and look up the number first.

5. Report unwanted calls

• FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov or donotcall.gov
• FCC: consumercomplaints.fcc.gov
• Spam texts: forward them to 7726 (SPAM).

Reports filed with the FTC and FCC become part of the public data shown on our number pages, helping others recognize unwanted callers. You can also look up a number and share your experience.

6. If you already shared information

Contact your bank immediately if you shared financial details, change compromised passwords and visit identitytheft.gov for a recovery plan.