How to stop robocalls

Summary

Avoid answering unknown numbers to prevent more robocalls.
Block frequent robocall numbers easily on both iPhone and Android devices.
Silence all unknown calls and utilize carrier apps to enhance call-blocking features.

Everyone encounters them eventually. Robocalls are as annoying as ever and seem to pick and choose when they appear at the most inopportune times. It almost feels like they lie dormant, waiting for you to let your guard down, and then — boom — they barrage you all at once.

How did they get your number? How did they know when to call you? What on Earth do they actually want? It’s hard to understand their purpose. It’s also very easy to tell when a robocall might be a robocall. You’ll hear a beep upon answering and then the voice will often sound like a recording. But that doesn’t make them any less bothersome to receive.

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So what can you do about them? Are there ways to get rid of them? You probably won’t be able to stop them completely. But you can take some steps to make them call you less. Here’s what you can do to slow down the robocalls from pouring in.

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1 Do not pick up

This is the easiest step to take

Apple / Pocket-lint

If there’s a phone call coming from an unsaved number, don’t answer it. If it is someone that is legitimately trying to get in touch with you, they’ll probably either text you after you don’t answer or leave you a voicemail. If you pick up, the people on the other end (or the robot) will know that you have an active number. This will cause them to continue to call your phone number more frequently.

Not only will they continue to call, but they can sell your number or add it to a list and have it added to other lists out there. If you can avoid it, don’t pick it up. You may be tempted, especially if you are expecting a call from a number that you don’t know. But if you can successfully avoid picking up a robocall, it will lessen the chance of you getting more in the future.

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2 Block the numbers

Next time, you’ll have a ‘nice try’ moment

When you’re experiencing a surge of robocalls, it’s often just a few numbers that are repeatedly dialing you. In that case, you can easily block those numbers. It’s incredibly easy to do and stops that number from being able to dial you. You can do this for every robocall that calls you as well.

There’s no limit to the number of phone numbers you block on iPhone or Android phones.

If you’re using an iPhone, you can go into your call log, tap on the ‘i‘ button and then tap Block caller. On Android, go to call log, tap the three-dot menu, tap Settings and then Block Numbers. You can look at your blocked numbers list to see if there is a pattern.

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3 Unknown calls can be silenced

Shush them

Something you may notice is that robocalls will start with the same area code that you have. That is a tactic that could potentially make you more likely to pick up. My area code is 908. As you can see, many of the robocalls I’ve received lately come with a 908 area code. These callers rarely leave a message, and if I do answer, it’s typically the same recorded spiel.

You can stop all unknown calls from coming to your phone by turning on the Silence Unknown Calls feature on either iPhone or Android.

On iPhone:

Open Settings.
Type in the word Silence.
Silence Unknown Callers will show up for both the FaceTime and Phone apps. Tap either of them.
You will be brought to the settings for those apps. You can toggle on Silence Unknown Callers.

On Android:

Open Calls.
Tap the three-dot menu at the top right.
Tap Settings.
Tap Blocked Numbers.
Toggle on Blocked Unknown Numbers

This will block all unknown numbers, even ones that you may want to hear from. It will be imperative to check your voicemails, as people wanting to reach you will likely leave you one.

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4 Use a call-blocking app from your carrier

Some of the biggest carriers let you block for a fee

Verizon on a phone in front of a meditating skeleton.

Carriers can help you out. You might want them to do more than they do already, like provide this service as a part of what you pay them. But at least you can use the apps they have already to do more than the manual action items on this list. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile all have apps that you can use as spam filters.

Verizon’s Call Filter, AT&T’s ActiveArmor, and T-Mobile’s ScamShield will all log in to your account and block any spam calls from coming in. You can pay additional fees to get features such as reverse number lookup, custom lists that let you sort your blocked numbers, and automatic reporting of scam text messages to the police. You can also get push notifications if a text that you receive is a suspected scam. These apps from your carriers cover you at multiple levels of communication.

Something you may notice is that robocalls will start with the same area code that you have.

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5 Do Not Call Registry

This is run by the Federal Trade Commission

If most of the calls that you’re dealing with are from telemarketers, you can try your best to avoid them by adding your phone number to the National Do Not Call Registry. The Do Not Call Registry is run by the FTC and allows you to register your phone number to stop unwanted phone calls from being sent to you. Unfortunately, scammers can just ignore the registry — there isn’t a strict way of enforcing it.

This registry tells registered telemarketers what numbers not to call, and you can register your number on the list for free. This won’t explicitly block the numbers from calling you, although ou can also use the registry to report numbers that are spamming you.