How to Handle Robocalls and Spam Phone Calls
Robocalls and spam calls target millions of Americans every day. Learn how to screen calls, report them to the FTC, and use free tools to block them.
At a Glance
Let unknown numbers go to voicemail
~35sQuick Tip
If someone leaves a voicemail that sounds urgent (like a warning about your Social Security number or a problem with your bank account), do not call the number in the voicemail. Hang up and call the organization directly using a number from their official website or your bank card.
Never press any buttons during a robocall
~30sWarning
Scammers sometimes use "yes" or "no" recordings from calls to impersonate you in voice-authorization fraud. If a call asks you to confirm your name or say "yes" to agree to something, hang up.
Turn on Silence Unknown Callers (iPhone) or Call Screen (Android)
~37sQuick Tip
These features do not block calls from your saved contacts, so people you know can still reach you normally.
Download a free call-blocking app
~36sQuick Tip
Check whether your carrier already provides call-blocking. AT&T Call Protect, T-Mobile Scam Shield, and Verizon Call Filter are free and can be found in your carrier's app or website.
Register your number with the Do Not Call Registry
~36sQuick Tip
The Do Not Call Registry stops legal telemarketing calls. It does not stop scammers, who ignore the law. Use it alongside the call-blocking steps above for the best protection.
Report scam calls to the FTC
~30sQuick Tip
Screenshot any texts that accompany suspicious calls and include them in your report. The FTC accepts text message complaints at the same address.
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Robocalls are automated phone calls made by a computer rather than a real person. They can deliver a recorded message, connect you to a live scammer, or play a tone designed to confirm your number is active so you will get called again. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that Americans receive billions of robocalls every year.
Many robocalls are outright scams — fake IRS warnings, Social Security fraud alerts, fake tech support calls, Medicare schemes, and more. But even non-scam robocalls are illegal in most cases. The FTC has rules that prohibit most unsolicited automated calls.
The key to protecting yourself is knowing what to do (and what not to do) when an unknown number calls.
The golden rule: let it go to voicemail
If you do not recognize the number, let the call go to voicemail. A legitimate caller — a doctor's office, a family member calling from a new number, a real business — will leave a message. Scammers almost never leave a real message, and if they do, the message itself will contain red flags.
Never press any button during a robocall
If you pick up and hear a recorded message telling you to "Press 1 to speak to a representative" or "Press 2 to be removed from our list," do not press anything. Pressing a button does not remove you. It confirms to the scammer that your phone number is active and belongs to a real person, which means your number will be sold to other scammers and you will receive more calls.
The built-in screening tools on your phone
Every current iPhone has a feature called Silence Unknown Callers. When it is turned on, calls from numbers not in your contacts, recent calls, or Siri suggestions go directly to voicemail without ringing. You can turn it on under Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers. This will not block known contacts. And you will still get the voicemail if someone leaves one.
If you have a Google Pixel phone, the built-in Phone app includes a Call Screen feature. When an unknown number calls, Google Assistant answers for you and asks the caller to state their name and reason for calling. You see the transcript on your screen in real time and decide whether to pick up, hang up, or mark as spam.
Current Samsung Galaxy phones include a call protect feature built into the Samsung Phone app. You can turn it on under Phone app > Settings > Call Protect.
Free third-party apps
Several free apps work alongside your phone's built-in features to block more spam calls:
- **Hiya** (iOS and Android) — identifies spam and scam callers and blocks them. Free version available. Download from the App Store or Google Play.
- **Nomorobo** (iOS and Android) — blocks robocalls in real time. Free for landlines through VoIP providers. A small fee for mobile phones.
- **YouMail** (iOS and Android) — replaces your voicemail, blocks spam, and plays a "number disconnected" message to robocallers so they remove your number from their list. Free basic version available.
Your carrier's built-in spam tools
Most major US carriers offer their own spam-call protection at no cost:
- **AT&T** — AT&T Call Protect (free, available in the App Store and Google Play)
- **T-Mobile** — Scam Shield (free, available in the App Store and Google Play)
- **Verizon** — Call Filter (free basic version, available in the App Store and Google Play)
Call your carrier or check their website to activate the free version if it is not already enabled on your account.
Sign up for the Do Not Call Registry
The National Do Not Call Registry (donotcall.gov) is run by the FTC. When you register your number, it is illegal for most telemarketers to call you. It will not stop all robocalls — scammers ignore the list — but it cuts down on legal telemarketing calls a lot. Registration is free and only takes a minute. Go to donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the number you want to register.
Report unwanted calls to the FTC
If you receive a suspected scam call, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or donotcall.gov/report. Your report helps the FTC identify patterns and build cases against the companies making illegal calls. It takes about two minutes and you do not need to provide your name.
Sources: FTC.gov (consumer.ftc.gov), CISA.gov, AARP Fraud Watch Network, Apple Support, Google Support.
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