It’s inconvenient to have your phone ringing at odd hours; when you make your number public on any platform, scammers, bots, and spoofers can call you. This guide is all for you if you’ve had enough or brought it far enough. Discover ways to block unwanted Calls for free on iPhone/Android phones and landlines. Next, update the software on your device to contain spam threats and add good security software to your machine.
While there are helpful automated calls from pharmacies, airlines and schools, many of the automated calls interrupting you on the telephone are unwanted and, in some cases, completely unlawful. The blog will help you to make efforts to reduce the level of harm of robocalls and, in total, block over a million unlawful calls daily.
What Are Robocalls Or Spam Calls?
Robocall is an abbreviated form of the term ‘robotic call,’ which means a call made using a computer autodialer. After completing a call connection, the autodialer recites an existing message or transfers the call to a live operator. Some robocalls include pre-recorded messages with a live feel, in which the recipient can be called by their name.
Some Spam calls are annoying only, and others can be dangerous in most cases. Some third-party apps blocking robocall services like YouMail suggest that over 50 billion robocalls were made in 2021 alone.
Types of Spam Calls or Robocalls
Types of Spam Calls or Robocall Scams Include:
- Spoofing calls
- IRS scams
- Charity scams
- Travel scams
- Customer care scams
- Loan scams
- etc.
How to Block Robocalls On iPhone?
On an iPhone, you can block spam or robocalls in three primary ways:
- The Silence Unknown Callers function
- Personally, blackout the numbers that keep on attempting to call you excessively.
- Install a third-party call-blocking application.
Option 1: Silence Unknown Callers
With iOS 13 or later, the Silence Unknown Callers capability silences all calls from unknown numbers, including numbers you never communicate with or those not stored in the ‘address book.’
To enable Silence Unknown Callers on iPhone:
- Log in on the homepage and then click Settings.
- Click Phone.
- The two options are: Tap Silence Unknown Callers and enable.
When this is on, you can always receive calls from any contact saved in your phone, any contact you’ve met before, or any contact Siri suggests from numbers in your emails, applications, or text messaging services.
Nevertheless, if the numbers are unknown or marked with spam, they will be muted. However, they will still be in the missed calls or voicemail tab on your phone, and if a call has been silenced, it is easy to identify the caller and call them back.
Please copy the phone numbers of possible new contacts who may call you before enabling this option so they are not barred. If you are waiting for a call from a new number, say from an employer or someone like me, you can easily disable this feature for a measured number of days.
Option 2: Block Spam Numbers Individually
If you are getting spam calls from one or just a few numbers, you can block these numbers.
Most scam calls get marked as “Spam Risk” on the iPhone through the Incoming-Caller-ID feature; thus, when this ID appears during an incoming call, you can simply dismiss it, search for it in the call history, and block it. To block these and other numbers, follow these steps:
To block individual numbers on iPhone:
- Click on the Phone menu at the bottom of the screen.
- The easiest way is to enter the recipient’s number that you wish to block and press the 🛈 icon.
- Select Block this Caller
After this, the blocked number cannot call or text you, and you can unblock numbers as you wish. Still, this method will not prevent numbers from spam-calling you, so it may not solve the problem
Option 3: Download a Call Blocking App For Smartphones
What you need to know about using an app to block spam calls is as follows; you can read more about them in this post’s Call-Blocking Apps for Smartphones section.
How Can I Stop Robocalls On Android?
Blocking spam calls on an Android offers options similar to those on an iPhone.
- Filter spam calls
- Stop specific numbers sending you spam messages one at a time
- Download a call-blocking application from the Play Store
Option 1: Filter Spam Calls
Like the iPhone’s feature Silence Unknown Callers, Android’s Filter Spam Calls will push all the calls to the network labels as spam, as shown in the screenshot below.
To enable Filter Spam Calls on Android:
- Open Phone on the homepage
- To turn off the features offered by Spam filtering, call screen, and other services, go to More Options →Settings→, then Spam and Call Screen.
- Go to Filter Spam Calls to turn off all the filtered calls known as “spam.
Option 2: Block Each Spam Number Single-Handedly
An Android has a feature that you can easily blacklist and remove any numbers with their permission right from the call log.
To block individual numbers:
- Open Phone on the homepage
- In Recents, right-click the number you want to block with the option in the list.
- Among the pop-up options, click on Tap Block.
Although simple to implement, it only ends one spam number in a specific time instance. The other options are other more general preventive actions.
Option 3: Use an Application to Block Phone Calls on Smartphones
You will find information about the call-blocking smartphone apps in the section of this post titled ‘TOP 5 Call-Blocking Apps’.
Ways on How to Stop Robocalls on Landline
Many of the current basic home phones include Caller ID as a default setting and enable the display to reveal if the call is from a recognized number, a business, or an unknown or anonymous number, respectively. However, ordinary landline consumers may desire greater autonomy in preventing unknown/anonymous calls or specific numbers from getting through.
Users of landlines can choose from three main methods to block robocalls and spam calls:
- Use *60 or *77 star codes
- Get a call-blocking device
- Speak with your provider regarding call-blocking services
Option 1: Utilize the *60 or *77 Star Codes
Many star codes, specifically numbers, include the * key, which allows you to manipulate the call settings.
In simple terms, anyone using a landline phone dials *77, and after the digits are automatically received, they can block all anonymous callers.
By just dialing *60, you can block up to 12 phone numbers that you want by entering them yourself or using the recent call list.
To block particular numbers on landlines using *60:
- Dial *60 on a landline phone to listen to the guide menu.
- To block the last call, dial #01# on the keypad
- To block a chosen number, press #, enter the 10-digit number, and then press # once more.
Option 2: Use Call Blocking Device
Some products, like CPR’s V5000, can be connected to your phone and service landline, as visible below; it instantly blocks thousands of notorious spam numbers.
These devices already store thousands of pre-recalled spam numbers, allowing users to download over one thousand numbers from their spam list or block certain number area codes. If one of the listed numbers tries to make a call, the call-blocking device somehow never allows the call to get through to the phone.
However, if an unwanted number still gets through, pressing the “block now” button will block and add it to the blocked list.
Option 3: Check Call-Blocking Options With Your Provider
Your landline carrier or provider probably has service options, maybe call-labeling or call-blocking you can get for your line or devices. Give them a call simply to find out what they have.
Final Words - Block Robocalls and Spam Calls
Robocalls and spam calls remain significant challenges, but you can mitigate their impact by employing regulatory, technological, and community-driven solutions. This guide provides a comprehensive framework for anyone looking to protect themselves from these unwanted interruptions.
FaQ's
Q1. Is There a Foolproof Method to Stop all Spam Calls?
While no method is foolproof, combining registration on the Do Not Call Registry, using call-blocking apps, and activating carrier tools can significantly reduce spam calls.
Q2. Can I Block Robocalls On a Landline?
Yes, devices and services specifically for landlines can block unwanted calls.
Q3. Are Spam Calls Dangerous?
Yes, they can be dangerous if they trick you into providing personal information or money.
Q4. What Should I Do if I Accidentally Give Out Personal Information?
Reach out to your bank, freeze your credit, and notify the FTC about the incident.
Q5. How Do I Tell a Robocall From a Legit Automated Call?
Legitimate automated calls will typically come from recognized organizations and not demand personal information or immediate payment.
