How do I stop unwanted phone calls?

To stop unwanted phone calls, you can primarily register your phone number(s) on the National Do Not Call Registry, utilize built-in phone features, employ third-party call-blocking apps or services, and adopt best practices to prevent them.

How Do I Stop Unwanted Phone Calls?

Stopping unwanted phone calls requires a multi-faceted approach, combining official registrations with personal device management and cautious behavior.

1. Register with the National Do Not Call Registry

One of the most effective initial steps is to register your phone number(s) with the National Do Not Call Registry. This free service helps reduce telemarketing calls by prohibiting most legitimate telemarketers from calling your registered numbers. It protects both landline and wireless phone numbers.

How to Register:

• It can take up to 31 days for your number to be fully effective on the registry.
• Keep in mind that the registry does not block calls from political organizations, charities, or companies with whom you have an existing business relationship (e.g., your phone company, bank, or credit card company).

2. Utilize Phone-Based Blocking Features

Your smartphone comes equipped with native features that allow you to block specific numbers. While this won't prevent all unwanted calls, it's effective for recurring offenders.

• For iPhones (iOS):
  1. Open the "Phone" app.
  2. Go to "Recents."
  3. Tap the "i" icon next to the number you want to block.
  4. Scroll down and tap "Block this Caller."
• For Android Phones:
  1. Open the "Phone" app.
  2. Go to "Recents" or "Call History."
  3. Tap the number you want to block.
  4. Tap "Block" or "Block/report spam" (the exact wording may vary by device and Android version).
     Some Android phones may require you to tap the three-dot menu icon first.

You can also silence unknown callers on iPhones by going to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers, which sends calls from numbers not in your contacts to voicemail.

3. Explore Call-Blocking Apps and Services

Many third-party apps and services are designed to identify, filter, or block robocalls and spam calls before they even reach your phone.

• Carrier-Specific Services: Most major cellular carriers offer their own call-blocking and spam-filtering services, often free or for a small monthly fee.
  • AT&T Call Protect
  • T-Mobile Scam Shield
  • Verizon Call Filter
  • Check your carrier's website or app store for details.
• Third-Party Apps: These apps use databases of known spam numbers and community reporting to block or warn you about unwanted calls. Popular options include:
  • Nomorobo (blocks robocalls)
  • Hiya (identifies spam, scams, and fraud calls)
  • Truecaller (caller ID and spam blocking)
  • Always download apps from official app stores and read reviews.

4. Report Unwanted Calls

Reporting unwanted calls helps authorities track down offenders and improves the effectiveness of call-blocking efforts.

• Report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC): You can report unwanted calls, including robocalls, telemarketing calls, and scam calls, to the FTC at ftccomplaintassistant.gov.
• Report to Your Carrier: Many carriers allow you to report suspicious calls or texts directly, often by forwarding texts to a specific number (e.g., 7726 for spam texts).
• Report to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC): For issues like spoofing or Do Not Call Registry violations, you can file a complaint with the FCC at fcc.gov/complaints.

5. Best Practices to Prevent Unwanted Calls

Adopting certain habits can further reduce the volume of unwanted calls you receive.

• Do Not Answer Unknown Numbers: If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate callers will leave a message.
• Do Not Engage: If you accidentally answer a spam call, do not speak, press any numbers, or follow any prompts (like "press 1 to be removed from our list"). This only confirms your number is active.
• Be Cautious with Personal Information: Avoid giving out your phone number unnecessarily on websites, forms, or social media.
• Review Privacy Settings: Check the privacy settings on your social media accounts and other online profiles to limit public visibility of your phone number.
• Use a Disposable Number: For online registrations or services you're unsure about, consider using a secondary or disposable phone number service.

By combining registration with the National Do Not Call Registry, leveraging your phone's features, considering call-blocking services, reporting unwanted calls, and practicing smart phone habits, you can significantly reduce the number of bothersome calls you receive.