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    Block Spam Calls & Texts

    Three layers of defense. Use all three.

    Layer 1 — Block on the phone itself

    iPhone

    • Block one number: Open the call or text → tap the number/name at top → scroll down → "Block this Caller".
    • Silence unknown callers: Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers → ON. Real callers leave voicemail; spam goes straight to voicemail without ringing.
    • Filter spam texts: Settings → Messages → Unknown & Spam → "Filter Unknown Senders" ON.

    Android

    • Block a number: Open the call log → press and hold the number → "Block / report spam".
    • Auto-screen calls (Pixel): Phone app → Settings → Spam and Call Screen → "See caller and reason for calling" — Google Assistant answers and types out what they say. You decide whether to pick up.
    • Block unknown callers (Samsung): Phone app → menu → Settings → Block numbers → turn on "Block calls from unknown numbers".

    Layer 2 — Use your carrier's free spam filter

    All three big carriers have free apps that block known robocallers BEFORE the phone rings.

    • Verizon — Call Filter (free version): pre-installed on most Verizon phones. Open it, turn on Spam Detection.
    • AT&T — ActiveArmor: free app from the App Store / Play Store. Sign in with your AT&T phone number.
    • T-Mobile — Scam Shield: free app. Inside the app, dial #662# from your phone to enable Scam Block.

    Layer 3 — National Do Not Call Registry

    Free, lifetime, federal. Doesn't stop scammers (they break the law anyway), but stops most legitimate telemarketers.

    Add your number — donotcall.gov

    After signing up, telemarketers must stop within 31 days. Report violators on the same site.

    Reporting spam texts

    • Forward the text to 7726 (spells SPAM). Free, all carriers. Your carrier blocks the sender across their network.
    • Then delete the text and block the number.
    • Don't reply with "STOP" to numbers you don't recognize — it confirms your number is real.

    The trick scammers don't want you to know

    If you don't recognize the number, don't answer at all. Real callers leave voicemail. Picking up confirms your number is real and active — that gets you on more lists. Let unknown calls go to voicemail every time.