Unwanted phone calls are an annoyance that can disrupt your daily life and jeopardize your privacy. These calls may include telemarketing pitches, robocalls, or malicious scams. This guide will teach you how to block unwanted calls on various devices and platforms, ensuring a peaceful and secure phone experience.
The following is the table of contents:
Recognizing Unwanted Calls
Telemarketing calls, robocalls, and scam calls
Unwanted Phone Calls on Smartphones
a. Call Blocking on Android Devices b. Call Blocking on iOS Devices
Unwanted Landline Calls Can Be Blocked
a. Using built-in call-blocking features b. Using call-blocking devices
Call-Blocking Solutions Provided by Third Parties
a. Caller Identification Apps b. Call-Blocking Services
Reporting Unwanted Calls and Signing Up for the Do Not Call Registry
Recognizing Unwanted Calls
Calls from Telemarketers
Businesses initiate telemarketing calls to promote their products or services. While some of these calls are legitimate, they can be annoying if they occur frequently or are unsolicited.
b. Automated phone calls
Robocalls are automated telephone calls that play pre-recorded messages. Political campaigns, appointment reminders, and scams are all possible uses for these calls. Robocalls are annoying because they are frequently loud and may spoof caller ID information.
c. Scam Phone Calls
Scam calls are deceptive calls intended to defraud victims and steal their money or personal information. Scammers use various tactics to gain victims’ trust and exploit their vulnerabilities, such as impersonating government agencies or well-known companies.
Unwanted Phone Calls on Smartphones a. Call Blocking on Android Devices.
Unwanted call blocking on Android devices varies depending on the device and manufacturer. However, the general procedure is as follows:
Navigate to the call log in the Phone app.
Hold down the number you want to block.
Choose between “Block number” and “Block/report spam.”
Alternatively, you can block calls on some Android devices via the Settings app:
Navigate to the “Call settings” or “Phone” menu in the Settings app.
Look for the option “Call blocking” or “Blocked numbers.”
Enter the phone numbers that you want to block.
b. Call Blocking on iOS Devices
Follow these steps to block unwanted calls on an iPhone:
Navigate to the “Recents” tab in the Phone app.
Next to the number you want to block, tap the I icon.
Scroll to the bottom and click “Block this Caller.”
Unwanted Landline Calls Can Be Blocked
a. Making Use of Built-In Call-Blocking Features
Some landline phones include call-blocking capabilities. Consult your device’s user manual for specific instructions on blocking unwanted calls on these phones. You can block specific numbers, anonymous callers, or callers who have withheld caller ID information on many landline phones.
b. Call-Blocking Equipment
If your landline phone lacks call-blocking capabilities, you can buy external devices that connect to your phone line. You can usually use these devices to block specific numbers, area codes, or even entire countries. Among the most popular call-blocking devices are:
CPR Call Blocker (https://www.cprcallblocker.com/) is a call-blocking application.
Panasonic Call Blocker (KX-TGA710.html) (https://shop.panasonic.com/cordless-phones/cordless-phones/KX-TGA710.html).
Call-Blocking Solutions Provided by Third Parties
Apps for Caller ID
By displaying the caller’s name and other pertinent information, caller ID apps can assist you in identifying and blocking unwanted calls. Among the most popular caller ID apps are:
Hello there (https://hiya.com/).
Truecaller (https://www.truecaller.com/) is a caller identification service.
Whoscall (https://whoscall.com/en/) is a social media platform.
These apps frequently include spam call detection and call blocking, making them valuable tools for managing your calls and protecting your privacy.
b. Call-Blocking Solutions
Some phone carriers and third-party companies provide call-blocking services to help filter out unwanted calls. These services may employ a combination of techniques, such as blocking known spam numbers, allowing only allowed numbers to contact you, or detecting and blocking potential spam calls using advanced algorithms. Check with your phone provider to see if they provide call-blocking services, or look into third-party options such as Nomorobo (https://www.nomorobo.com/) or RoboKiller (https://www.robokiller.com/).
Reporting Unwanted Calls and Signing Up for the Do Not Call Registry
Reporting unwanted calls can assist authorities in locating and prosecuting scammers and illegal telemarketers. In the United States, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about unwanted calls at https://www.donotcall.gov/report.html.
Register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry (https://www.donotcall.gov/) to reduce the number of unwanted telemarketing calls. This free service can help you reduce the number of sales calls you receive. Remember that signing up for the Do Not Call List will not stop all unwanted calls, as some organizations (such as charities, political organizations, and survey takers) are still permitted to call numbers on the list.
Conclusion
Unwanted calls must be blocked to maintain privacy and have a peaceful phone experience. You can effectively minimize disruptions from telemarketing calls, robocalls, and scam calls by following the advice in this guide and utilizing the various call-blocking solutions available.
To help reduce the number of unsolicited calls you receive, always remember to report unwanted calls to the appropriate authorities and register for the Do Not Call List. You can take control of your phone experience and protect yourself from unwanted and potentially harmful calls with a proactive approach and the right tools.