Seven Effective Ways to Block Spam Calls and Stay Safe

Introduction

Spam calls can be a nuisance, with some callers calling multiple times a day to offer products you don’t need or scams that can compromise your privacy. These calls not only waste your time but also put you at risk of identity theft and expose you to potential fraud. In this article, we offer seven effective ways to block spam calls and stay safe.

Overview of Spam Calls

Spam calls, or robocalls, are automated calls that use a pre-recorded message to sell you something or extract information from you. They can also be used for phishing or scam purposes. Spam calls are a huge problem and can cause significant inconvenience for people, particularly the elderly and vulnerable. They can also be frustrating for people who rely on their mobile or landline for work or emergencies.

Seven Ways to Block Spam Calls

Method 1: Enable Do Not Disturb Mode

Do Not Disturb mode is a helpful feature available on most smartphones, tablets, and landlines. Once enabled, it can block all incoming calls, messages, and notifications, except for the ones you allow. You can customize Do Not Disturb notifications by allowing calls or messages from certain contacts or creating a list of favorite contacts. To enable Do Not Disturb mode, follow these steps:

For smartphones and tablets: Go to Settings > Do Not Disturb, then turn it on. Customize the settings by adding exceptions and scheduling quiet hours.
For landlines: Contact your service provider to set up a Caller ID-based blocking feature that blocks calls from unknown or certain numbers.

The benefits of Do Not Disturb mode is that it is readily available on your device and can be customized according to your preferences. However, it can also block important calls or messages from people outside your allowed list, so make sure you adjust the settings according to your needs.

Method 2: Use a Call Blocker App

Call blocker apps are another effective way to block spam calls from your phone. These apps work by identifying spam calls and either blocking them or sending them straight to voicemail. Here are some of the most popular call blocker apps available:

Truecaller: Identifies unknown callers and blocks spam calls and SMS
Nomorobo: Blocks robocalls and telemarketers on landlines
RoboKiller: Uses AI to identify and block robocalls and telemarketers
Hiya: Blocks spam calls and provides caller ID information

To use these apps, download them from the App Store or Google Play Store and follow the instructions for setup. Choose which features you want and whether you prefer the app to block or send these calls to voicemail. With call blocker apps, you can customize your settings and access additional features, such as blocking specific area codes or creating a personal blocklist. However, these apps might not be effective for all spam calls, and some require a paid subscription.

Method 3: Register with the National Do Not Call Registry

The National Do Not Call Registry is a list of phone numbers that telemarketers and robocallers are not allowed to call. It is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that can help reduce unwanted calls. To register, go to the National Do Not Call Registry website and enter your phone number. After you register, it may take up to 31 days for telemarketing calls to stop.

Once you are registered, telemarketers who call you illegally can be reported to the FTC, and you may be eligible for compensation. Keep in mind that the list does not block all types of unsolicited calls, such as political or charity calls, or calls from certain industries, such as insurance or financial services.

Method 4: Block Calls Manually

If you want to block calls but do not want to use Do Not Disturb mode or a call blocker app, you can manually block numbers on most phones. To block calls manually, follow these steps:

For iPhones: Go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts
For Android: Look for the Phone icon on your home screen, select Recent Calls and click on the number to block, then select Block/Report Spam
For landlines: Check the instructions provided by your service provider to block numbers on your phone

Manual call blocking is free and allows you to personally block numbers you know are spam calls or nuisance calls. However, this method only works if you already know the numbers you need to block, and you cannot block all unknown or unfamiliar callers.

Method 5: Use Carrier Services

Some carriers offer their customers services that block spam calls. These services identify and block calls from known spam numbers and report the numbers to a central database. AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, and Sprint all offer robocall-blocking features as a free service for their customers. To access this feature, you may need to download an app or visit the carrier’s website. The features may vary by location and carrier.

Enrolling in carrier services is usually free and can be an effective way to block spam calls, but keep in mind that these services may not catch new or unknown numbers.

Method 6: Silence Unknown Callers

Most smartphones come with a built-in feature called Silence Unknown Callers, which sends calls from unknown numbers straight to voicemail. This can be helpful if you receive many spam calls from unfamiliar numbers. Here’s how to activate it:

For iPhones: Go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers
For Android: Look for the Phone icon on your home screen, select Settings > Blocked numbers and select Turn on call blocking (Blocked numbers settings may vary depending on your device)

Keep in mind that this feature can also block important unknown calls you may want to answer, such as calls from new clients or potential employers.

Method 7: Get a New Phone Number

If none of the above methods work, getting a new phone number might be the best option. This is an extreme solution that may be more applicable to individuals who receive numerous spam calls per day. To get a new phone number, contact your service provider and request a new number. You may need to change the phone number of your contacts, but this option can offer peace of mind and effectively stop unwanted calls.

General Tips for Reducing Spam Calls

In addition to the above methods, there are other tips you can use to avoid spam calls. Here are some of them:

Limit how much personal information you share online
Avoid clicking on suspicious links or giving out your phone number on unfamiliar websites or apps
Be cautious when disclosing personal information over the phone, especially with unfamiliar callers
Consider using a second phone number or a disposable phone number for online transactions or unfamiliar websites
Do not respond to or engage with spam calls or phishing attempts

Conclusion

Spam calls are a growing problem that can be resolved with the effective use of call blocking methods. The seven methods we have discussed, including call blocker apps, the National Do Not Call Registry, manual blocking, carrier services, and more, offer various options to suit different needs and preferences. By following these simple steps and tips, you can reduce the impact of spam calls on your personal life and stay safe.