Learn How to Block Unwanted Phone Calls

Understanding Why Unwanted Calls Happen and Who Makes Them

Unwanted phone calls have become a widespread problem in the United States. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Americans received approximately 3.7 billion robocalls in 2022 alone. These calls come from various sources, each with different motivations and methods.

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Telemarketing calls represent one major category of unwanted calls. Legitimate businesses use automated dialing systems to reach potential customers about products, services, or donations. While some telemarketers follow regulations, others ignore do-not-call rules. Scammers also make telemarketing-style calls pretending to represent real companies, using fake caller IDs to appear trustworthy.

Robocalls and spam calls make up another significant portion of unwanted calls. These automated calls use prerecorded messages or text-to-speech technology. Common robocall schemes include fake IRS calls claiming you owe taxes, Social Security scams suggesting your account has been compromised, and tech support scams claiming your computer has a virus. Other robocalls target small business owners with offers for business services or credit lines.

Debt collection calls represent another source of unwanted contact. Legitimate debt collectors are required to follow the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which limits when and how often they can call. However, some collectors ignore these rules, and fraudulent debt collection calls have increased significantly in recent years.

Caller ID spoofing technology allows scammers to mask their true phone number and display a number that appears local or official. This practice makes it difficult to identify legitimate calls from fraudulent ones. The technology is inexpensive and widely available, making it easy for bad actors to manipulate caller ID information.

Practical Takeaway: Understanding the source of unwanted calls helps you recognize which blocking strategies work best for different types of calls. Telemarketing requires different blocking approaches than scam calls, which differ from debt collection calls.

Using Built-In Phone Features to Block Calls

Both iPhone and Android devices include native call-blocking features that require no additional apps or services. These built-in tools offer a straightforward starting point for managing unwanted calls without involving third-party software.

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iPhone users can block numbers directly through the Phone app. When you receive a call from an unwanted number, swipe up on the call screen to reveal options, then tap "Block this Caller." The blocked number will no longer reach you, and calls from that number go straight to voicemail without notification. You can also block numbers by going to Settings, selecting Phone, and choosing Blocked Contacts. This feature prevents calls and text messages from blocked numbers, though the blocked callers won't receive notification that they're blocked.

Android devices offer similar functionality through the Phone app. Most Android phones allow you to block numbers by opening the call log, long-pressing the unwanted number, and selecting "Block/Report Spam." Different Android manufacturers and carriers may have slightly different menu layouts, but the basic process remains consistent. Google's built-in call screening feature on newer Pixel phones can automatically filter suspected spam and robocalls, routing them to voicemail with transcription available.

Verizon customers using Android devices can access Verizon Call Filter, a built-in feature that identifies suspected spam and robocalls. The app shows labels like "Spam Risk" or "Telemarketing" on incoming calls, helping you decide whether to answer. AT&T provides AT&T Call Protect, which works similarly to identify unwanted calls. T-Mobile offers Scam Shield technology to block known spam numbers.

Beyond call blocking, both iPhone and iOS devices allow you to customize how calls are handled. You can set calls from unknown numbers to go straight to voicemail on iPhone by enabling "Silence Unknown Callers" in Settings. This feature only allows calls from your contacts to ring through, sending all other calls to voicemail. It's particularly useful if you don't expect calls from unfamiliar numbers.

Practical Takeaway: Before purchasing third-party apps, fully explore your phone's built-in blocking features. These native tools handle many common unwanted calls without additional cost and integrate seamlessly with your device's existing systems.

Understanding the National Do-Not-Call Registry

The National Do-Not-Call Registry, established by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and FCC, provides a mechanism for consumers to opt out of telemarketing calls. Registered in 2003, the registry now contains over 288 million phone numbers. Adding your number to this list creates a legal obligation for most telemarketers to stop calling you within 31 days.

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Registration is free and permanent—your number remains on the list until you remove it or the number becomes inactive. You can register your phone number online at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you want to register. The website also allows you to check whether your number is already registered.

The do-not-call registry applies to most telemarketing calls. Businesses, nonprofits, and political organizations cannot call numbers on the registry. However, some callers are exempt from do-not-call rules. Charities, political organizations, survey researchers, and companies with which you have an existing business relationship can still call you even if you're on the registry. Additionally, companies have up to 31 days to honor the registry after you register, so you may continue receiving calls during this period.

The registry does not stop calls from debt collectors, which are regulated under a separate law called the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. If a legitimate debt collector is calling you, adding your number to the do-not-call registry won't prevent those calls. However, you can request that the debt collector stop calling you by sending a written request or requesting to be placed on their internal do-not-call list.

It's important to note that the do-not-call registry does not prevent scam calls or robocalls from illegal operations. Scammers ignore the registry entirely, as do many illegal telemarketers. The registry primarily works to block calls from legitimate businesses that follow the law. If you're receiving significant numbers of robocalls or scam calls, you'll need to use additional blocking methods beyond registry enrollment.

Practical Takeaway: Register with the National Do-Not-Call Registry to reduce calls from legitimate telemarketers, but understand that this step alone won't eliminate scam calls or calls from exempt organizations. Use registry enrollment as one component of a broader strategy.

Using Third-Party Call Blocking Apps and Services

When built-in phone features and the do-not-call registry aren't sufficient, third-party call blocking apps offer additional options. These apps use various technologies to identify and block unwanted calls, from database matching to machine learning algorithms that analyze calling patterns.

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TrueCaller, available for both iPhone and Android, maintains one of the largest spam number databases, with over 350 million spam numbers identified. The app shows caller identification for unknown numbers and allows you to block calls based on categories like telemarketing, spam, or fraud. TrueCaller uses community reports and call analysis to continuously update its spam database. The free version provides basic blocking, while paid versions offer additional features like advanced filtering and message filtering.

RoboKiller uses audio fingerprinting technology to identify and block robocalls. The app learns your preferences over time and can filter calls based on your settings. One unique feature is "Answer Bots," which answers suspected spam calls with pre-recorded messages that waste the caller's time, theoretically making your number less valuable to spammers. RoboKiller is available on both platforms and offers a free trial period.

Nomorobo provides free robocall blocking through a service you can register with at nomorobo.com. The service works differently from traditional apps—it requires no app installation and works with traditional landlines, VoIP systems, and mobile phones. Nomorobo maintains a database of known robocall numbers and blocks them automatically. When a robocall comes in, the number receives a message that the call cannot be completed, preventing it from reaching you.

Whoscall offers caller identification and blocking for both iPhone and Android. The app displays information about incoming callers and allows you to block numbers manually or automatically based on your preferences. Whoscall's database includes information about spam numbers, scam calls, and telemarketing numbers collected from millions of users.

Consider these factors when