Ranking updated
How to block spam calls on your phone
An unknown number, again. A recorded voice, a "bank" asking you to confirm a code, a prize you never entered for. Your phone already has tools to screen these, and a few settings plus one firm rule stop the calls that cost people money.
A setup routine, then caller ID and spam blocker apps. Some caller ID apps ask for access to your contacts; read what an app collects before you install it. No real bank or service will ask you for a one-time code on a call.
Start with what you have
Turn on spam filtering in your phone app or your carrier’s settings. Many phones can also silence calls from numbers not in your contacts and send them to voicemail.
Block, report, move on
After a spam call, block the number and report it in the phone app. Do not call back unknown numbers that rang once.
Add a caller ID app carefully
Caller ID apps show who is calling and flag known spam. Some upload contacts; check permissions first. Compare two of them in Truecaller vs Getcontact.
Hang up on pressure
Scam calls push you to act now. Hang up and call the bank or service on the number from its official app or card. The same rule works for links and codes; see how to scan QR codes safely. Compare apps in caller ID apps.
| Step | What you do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Built-in filter | phone or carrier spam setting | quiet by default |
| 2. Silence unknowns | if you can live with it | fewer interruptions |
| 3. Block and report | each spam number | helps the filters |
| 4. Caller ID app | check its privacy first | names for unknown numbers |
| 5. One firm rule | never share codes | stops the scam |
Frequently asked questions
How do I stop spam calls?
Turn on your phone’s spam filter, silence unknown callers if you can and block and report spam numbers.
Are caller ID apps safe?
Check what each app collects; some upload your contacts. Read the permissions before installing.
What if a caller asks for a code from a text?
Hang up. A real bank or service will not ask for a one-time code on a call.