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Stop the Spam: Your Ultimate Guide to Call Filtering

Are you tired of endless robocalls, scams, and telemarketers interrupting your day? You are not alone. Spam calls are one of the most common frustrations we hear about from our customers.

 

Fortunately, you don't have to put up with it. Both your cellular provider and your smartphone have built-in tools to identify, silence, and block unwanted callers before your phone even rings.

 

Here is everything you need to know to take back control of your phone.

 

Part 1: Universal Rules for Staying Safe

Before diving into your phone's settings, here are three golden rules everyone should follow regarding unknown callers:

 

• Beware of "Neighbor Spoofing": Scammers often use software to make their caller ID look like a local number (using your exact area code and prefix) so you are more likely to pick up. If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate callers will leave a message.

   

• The National Do Not Call Registry: Ensure your number is registered on the Do Not Call Registry. While it won't stop illegal scammers, it legally stops legitimate telemarketing companies from bothering you. Register for free at donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register.

   

• The Golden Rule—Don't Engage: If you accidentally answer a spam call, simply hang up. Do not press a number to "speak to a representative" or "be removed from their list." Pressing buttons only confirms to their computer system that your phone number is active, which will lead to even more calls!

   

Part 2: Carrier-Level Spam Apps (Your First Line of Defense)

Before a call even reaches your phone, it travels through your cellular provider's network. The major carriers provide free spam-blocking apps that stop junk calls at the network level.

 

Search for these free apps in your device's App Store or Google Play Store (they might even be pre-installed on your phone!):

 

• AT&T Customers: Download AT&T ActiveArmor to automatically block fraud and send nuisance calls to voicemail.

   

• T-Mobile / Sprint Customers: Download Scam Shield to turn on "Scam Block" and see "Scam Likely" on your screen.

   

• Verizon Customers: Download Verizon Call Filter to screen and block incoming spam.

   

Part 3: Apple iPhone Filtering Guide

Method 1: Silence Unknown Callers (Highly Recommended)

This is Apple’s most powerful built-in defense. When turned on, any phone number that you haven't saved in your Contacts, recently called, or received a text from will be silenced and sent straight to voicemail.

 

1. Open the Settings app (the gray gear icon).

    

2. Scroll down and tap on Phone.

    

3. Scroll down and tap on Silence Unknown Callers.

    

4. Toggle the switch to the On position (it will turn green).

    

Method 2: Link a Spam-Blocking App

If you downloaded one of the Carrier apps mentioned above (or a third-party app like Truecaller or Hiya), you need to give your iPhone permission to use it.

 

1. Open Settings > Phone.

    

2. Tap Call Blocking & Identification.

    

3. Under "Allow These Apps To Block Calls," turn the switch On next to the app you downloaded.

    

Method 3: Manually Block a Specific Number

1. Open your Phone app and tap on the Recents tab at the bottom.

    

2. Find the number you want to block and tap the blue "i" (Info) icon to the right.

    

3. Scroll to the bottom and tap Block this Caller.

    

Part 4: Android Filtering Guide

Method 1: The Universal Google Phone App

(Default on Google Pixel, Motorola, and many others. Available for free in the Play Store).

 

1. Open the Phone app.

    

2. Tap the Three Vertical Dots (More options) in the top right corner.

    

3. Tap Settings.

    

4. Tap Caller ID & spam (or "Spam and Call Screen").

    

5. Turn on See caller and spam ID to identify businesses.

    

6. Turn on Filter spam calls to automatically send suspected spam to voicemail.

    

Method 2: Samsung Smart Call

(Built specifically for Samsung Galaxy devices).

 

1. Open your Samsung Phone app.

    

2. Tap the Three Vertical Dots in the top right corner, then tap Settings.

    

3. Tap Caller ID and spam protection.

    

4. Toggle the switch at the top to On.

    

5. Scroll down and turn on Block spam and scam calls. (You can choose to block all spam or just high-risk scam calls).

    

Method 3: Manually Block a Specific Number

1. Open your Phone app and go to your Recent Calls list.

    

2. Press and hold the phone number that you want to block.

    

3. Select Block / Report Spam from the menu that pops up.

    

Need Help Setting This Up?

If you are overwhelmed by these settings or want to ensure your phone is locked down correctly, reach out to us! We are happy to help you configure your device so you can enjoy some peace and quiet.