How to Block Spam Calls and Texts on iPhone and Android
Your phone rings, you don’t recognize the number, and it turns out to be someone selling a car warranty or pretending to be your bank. Spam calls and scam texts are frustrating, and some of them are dangerous. You can’t stop every one, but a few settings will cut down on most of them. Here’s how.
Why You Keep Getting Them
Scammers use software that dials thousands of numbers at once, and they can fake the caller ID so a call appears to come from a local number, or even from a number you know. That’s why blocking one number rarely solves the problem. It’s better to use filters that catch them in bulk.
First, Some Good Habits
Don’t answer numbers you don’t recognize. If it’s important, the caller will leave a voicemail.
Don’t press any number or say “yes” on a recorded message, even to “unsubscribe.” That tells them your number is active.
Don’t reply to suspicious texts.
Never give personal information to someone who contacted you first.
On an iPhone
Silence Unknown Callers: open Settings and search for “Silence Unknown Callers.” When it’s on, calls from numbers that aren’t in your contacts, and that you haven’t been in touch with before, go straight to voicemail.
Block a single number: open the Phone app, tap Recents, tap the “i” beside the number, and choose Block this Caller.
Filter unknown texts: in Settings, search for “Unknown Senders” and turn on filtering for texts from people who aren’t in your contacts. When a suspicious message arrives, use the Report Junk option shown below it.
On an Android Phone
Menu names differ a little between brands, but on most phones:
Spam filtering: open the Phone app, tap the menu (three dots), tap Settings, and look for Caller ID and spam. Turn on spam filtering.
Block a single number: in the Phone app, tap Recents, tap the number, and choose Block or Report spam.
Texts: open the conversation in your Messages app, tap the menu, and choose Block and report spam.
Free Tools From Your Phone Company
Most major carriers offer free spam-blocking tools, for example AT&T’s ActiveArmor, Verizon’s Call Filter and T-Mobile’s Scam Shield. Check your carrier’s website, or ask them, to see what’s available for your plan.
The Do Not Call Registry
You can add your number at donotcall.gov. It can reduce calls from legitimate telemarketers, but scammers ignore it, so don’t count on it to stop them.
A Caution About Filters
Filters can occasionally send a real call, like one from a doctor’s office, pharmacy or delivery driver, to voicemail. Check your voicemail regularly, and call back numbers you recognize.
Report Them
Forward scam texts to 7726 (it spells SPAM), then delete them. You can also report scam calls and texts at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Reporting helps your carrier block the same numbers for other people.
You Don’t Have To Put Up With It
A few minutes of setup can make your phone far quieter. If you’d like someone beside you while you set up the filters, a Kendera Global session can walk through it step by step on your own phone.
