Effective Solutions for Common Problems

Spam calls are among the most annoying issues individuals face on a daily basis. They waste time, break focus, and put those affected at risk of scams. These calls are everything from automated messages to scammers pretending to be your bank. Worst of all, you are at risk of receiving unwanted calls just by owning a phone number.

Fortunately, there are actions you can take to cut down these daily interruptions. Here we will explore how to stop spam calls on both iPhone and Android. But first, let’s understand why spam calls are so prominent and how we can easily identify them. 

Why Spam Calls Are Getting Worse

Spam calls are widespread despite total reports dropping since 2021 by about 50%. While this is significant, there are still millions of complaints each year from affected individuals. This large amount is attributed to automated dialing technology because it’s cheap and widespread. 

Scammers utilize it to spoof legitimate numbers from well-known businesses and local areas to make scams more believable. Most spam callers dial thousands of people at once and hope the receiving end picks up. If this happens, the number is marked as active in their system, and they will see its spam calls increasing. 

How to Recognize a Spam or Scam Call in Seconds

Spam calls usually have a distinct pattern that is very easy to identify. You just have to know and watch out for these red flags:

• Suspicious caller ID – Local numbers you don’t recognize, or businesses you don’t use, are suddenly calling you.
• Brief silence on pickup – This usually indicates an auto-dial system often used by spammers. 
• The call is always urgent – Spam calls claim urgency and try to prey on panic in the moment to extort valuable data. 
• The caller asks for personal info – While it’s okay for some callers to identify you, information such as your Social Security Number is excessive and an immediate red flag.
• Conversation that breaks the mold – If you receive a call from your “bank” and the standard procedure is off, it’s likely a scammer spoofing the company.

Ultimately, if anything feels off during any call, hang up immediately, as you can call the real company directly to be safe. Most of the same applies to spam or scam texts, with just a few additional parameters. 

How Do Spam Callers Get Your Number

Many individuals ask themselves, “Why am I getting so many spam calls?” especially if a massive wave starts out of nowhere. In most cases, your number got leaked from:

• Data breaches
• Online sign-ups
• Publicly available data
• Random number generation
• Old mailing lists and resumes 

Once your number leaks and begins circulating across spam lists, stopping unwanted calls becomes more difficult, which is why effective blocking tools matter. Tools like Robokiller, Scam Shield, and No Caller ID blocking can help, but before we get to them, let’s start with the built-in protections on your iPhone and Android devices.

How To Stop Spam Calls On iPhone

Source: Pexels

On iPhones, users have several built-in tools to stop spam calls. By combining these tools, you can significantly reduce interruptions throughout the day. 

Block Individual Numbers

Here’s how to block private numbers if you get spam from them: 

• Open the Phone app
• Go to Recents
• Tap the info icon next to the number
• Scroll down and select Block Contact

This won’t stop spoofed numbers, but will eliminate less dedicated repeat offenders. 

Silence Unknown Callers on iPhone

Here’s how to send spam calls to voicemail directly: 

• Open up Settings
• Go to  Apps and select Phone
• Select Silence, Unknown Callers
• Toggle it on

Just note that you will still see the calls in your call log, just without the interruption. 

Use Focus / Do Not Disturb Smartly

Here’s how to stop spam calls with iOS focus modes:

• Go to Settings
• Select Focus
• Create a unique focus mode

• Make sure to only allow calls from Contacts, Favorites, or specific groups

This can be a lifesaver during work hours, late at night, or whenever most spam calls occur. 

How To Stop Spam Calls On Android

Source: Pexels

To stop spam calls on Android, you can use the integrated spam protections. It is important to note that these steps may vary based on your Android device brand.

Block Individual Numbers on Android

Here’s how to block spam calls on Android: 

• Open the Phone app
• Go to Recents
• Select the spam number
• Select Block or Report Spam

By learning how to report spam calls, you help automated systems mark spam numbers and deal with them effectively. 

Silence Unknown Callers

Here’s how to reduce phone scam calls with silence:

• Open the Phone app
• Go to Settings under the three dots
• Choose Blocked Numbers
• Toggle on Block calls from unknown numbers.

This is a great way to significantly reduce spam on your device. 

Turn On Android Spam Protection / Call Screening

Here’s how to stop spam calls with integrated spam protection: 

• Open Phone
• Go to Settings under the three dots
• Select Bixby text call on Samsung devices 
• Turn the feature on and enjoy your peace of mind.

It is important to note that the brand of Android device you have determines how call screening is called and enabled. If you own a Google Pixel device, you can use Google Assistant call screening. This system stops almost all spam before your phone ever rings. 

Use Do Not Disturb for High-Spam Times

Most people receive spam calls only during certain hours; here, Do Not Disturb is the best option.