Here's Exactly How To Block 'Potential Scam' or 'Scam Likely' Calls
Find out if it's possible to block spam calls for good.
Just when we thought phone calls were a dying breed, scammers made it clear they had other ideas. Suddenly, our cell phones started ringing off the now-proverbial hook, and scammers on the other line were employing unscrupulous tactics to get information and money from us.
For discerning types, these calls were an annoying, new-age extension of telemarketers. Your phone may have gone off mid-work meeting, but you survived.
But they're actually far more dangerous than someone calling and legitimately trying to sell you season tickets to your local minor-league baseball team. An estimated 70 million Americans were out a combined $40 billion because of phone scams, including calls and texts, in 2022, according to spam-blocking app Truecaller.
So, many people are left wondering how to block "scam likely" calls. Is it possible to stop them for good? What apps can you trust? Here's what to know.
Why Am I Getting So Many Scam Calls?
Are you noticing a surge in scam calls lately? Unfortunately, there are many reasons why you may be getting targeted by scammers. They may have purchased your number from a third-party data company, who likely got it when you used it to buy or sign up for something online. They may have also found it on the Internet. If you pick up an unwanted call, the spammer may use this action as an invitation to call back—even if you hung up the first time—potentially from a different number.
Related: How To Delete Apps From Your Phone—Including the Record of Apps You *Thought* Were Removed
How Can You Tell It's a Scammer Number?
Your phone will likely flag if it thinks the number is a scammer. Services like TrueCaller also have tools that allow you to look up a number to see if it's a scam. That said, nothing is foolproof. It's always best to pick up the phone only if you recognize the number. Real humans with good intentions will leave a message, and you can decide whether to call them back.
How Do I Block "Scam Likely" Calls on My iPhone?
Your carrier may offer a service that allows you to block fraud calls. For example, AT&T launched ActiveArmor for iOS and Android users in early 2023. Verizon offers Call Filter, and T-Mobile has Scam Shield. AT&T's free version has blocking services, and T-Mobile's is free. But Verizon's costs $3.99 per month for one line and $10.99 per month for 3+ lines. You can also block scam numbers as you receive calls from them. You can also use an app like TrueCaller to block scam calls. All of these apps and services require a fee, though they help block scam callers before your phone rings. You can also block scam numbers individually.
How To Block Scam Numbers on Your iPhone
1. Head to your call log.
2. Select "Block this Caller."
3. Tap "Block Contact" from the pop-up menu
Your phone will then block this specific number from calling you again.
Related: Easy as 1, 2, 3—Here's Exactly How To Do a Reverse Image Search on Your iPhone
How Do I Stop Scam Phone Calls?
It depends on your carrier. AT&T's ActiveArmor has a free version that blocks scam calls. T-Mobile's Scam Shield is also free. Verizon's scam-blocking service called Call Filter carries a monthly fee of $3.99 for one line and $10.99 for 3+ lines. You can also purchase a third-party app like Hiya.
You can also silence unknown callers. Apple walks you through the process. You'll need iOS 13 or later.
1. Go into your "Settings App."
2. Tap "Phone."
3. Scroll down and tap "Silence Unknown Callers."
Now, unknown calls will go straight to voicemail, so your phone doesn't go off, and you can take a beat and think twice before responding.
Android phones vary, but generally have a similar process for silencing unknown callers, though they may call it something different. For example, Samsung S21 calls it "call blocking" to "block anonymous calls."
What Is the Best Spam Blocker for iPhone?
Carriers have come a long way in recent years with their security offerings, rendering apps mostly unnecessary. AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile all offer security apps. AT&T and T-Mobile have free versions, but Verizon charges $3.99 per month for one line. If these services aren't cutting it, third-party apps also offer scam-blocking services. Three of the most touted are:
Hiya
Hiya has a free plan with spam call detection. It lets you report spam numbers, block by area code and look up verified business numbers. A premium version lets you look up personal and additional business numbers and access a consistently updated caller ID database. It's $3.99 per month or $24.99 per year (less expensive than Verizon).
Robokiller
Make scammers pay. Robokiller uses technology for good to detect scam calls to an answer bot, where they'll get a taste of their own medicine. The bots seem like real people, so the scammer will think they're actually speaking to a potential victim. Unfortunately, you have to pay too. The service costs $4.99 per month or $39.99 per year, and some users say it blocks calls from people they want. But others swear by it—the app has 4.3 stars on Google Play and 4.5 stars in the App Store.
Truecaller
Considered a leader in the scam-blocking space, Truecaller has three different options. A free version has caller ID and scam blocking. You can nix ads within the app for $9.99 per year. An Assistant Plan is $49.99 annually or $4.99 monthly and offers more features like AI-generated "assistants" who will answer calls and block scammers for you.