How to Stop Unwanted Phone Calls

A simple and easy guide to stopping unwanted phone calls

Co-authored by Mitch Harris

Last Updated: August 9, 2022

One of life's great annoyances is getting an unwanted phone call at 8:00 on a Sunday morning or right when you sit down to dinner. In recent years telemarketers have stepped up their game, resulting in thousands of complaints to The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), USA. So how can you put an end to unwanted calls once and for all? Ideas for American readers are provided below; some of the ideas are also applicable no matter where you live.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Stopping Calls at the Source

1
Get on the Do Not Call Registry. This registry, which is for United States residents, lists telephone numbers and the owners of those numbers that refuse to receive unsolicited calls by telemarketers. Register your telephone number by calling (888) 382-1222 or online at www.donotcall.gov.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
Federal Communications Commission
Independent U.S. government agency responsible for regulating radio, television, and satellite, and phone communications
Go to source}
- This list was set up by the Federal Trade Commission in 2003 and can reduce the amount of unwanted telemarketing calls by approximately 80 percent.
- Some types of organizations are not under obligation to pay attention to the Do Not Call Registry. They include:
  - Calls from organizations with which you have established a business relationship
  - Calls from organizations you've previously given written permission to call you
  - Calls that are not commercial or do not include unsolicited advertisements
  - Calls from tax-exempt non-profit organizations^{[2]
    X
    Trustworthy Source
    Federal Communications Commission
    Independent U.S. government agency responsible for regulating radio, television, and satellite, and phone communications
    Go to source}
2
Call your phone company and request to speak with the "annoyance department." This specialized department can place a trap on your line that inhibits specific callers from contacting you.

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3
Put your phone number on specific company do-not-call lists. If you're routinely getting calls from the same annoying companies, you can tell the telemarketers to remove your name and number from their calling list. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires that your number be removed from the requested company lists for 5 years.
4
Use a search engine to find out who's calling. If you're not sure of the source of a certain number that pops up, do a search to find out. Entering an unknown number in a search engine may give you some hints about its owner. Many online report services also allow you to report and share your experience with other users.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Blocking Calls to Your Phone

1
Install a call-blocking app on your cell phone. Even though telemarketers are supposed to reveal their phone numbers, many don't Blocking unknown calls is a good way to screen out the callers you don't want to hear from. If you're using an iPhone or Android, there are apps that automatically block calls from hidden numbers.
- Blacklist call is the fastest and most intuitive app for Androids to automatically block SPAM calls from annoying telemarketers.
- Call Control is the most popular app for Androids to block telemarketers.
- Call Bliss is the most popular app for iPhones to block calls from unknown numbers.
2
Change your phone settings. Androids and iPhones both have settings that allow you to only get calls from the people you want. The drawback is that if an organization or person you actually want to hear from has an unknown number, you won't get the call. If you get an inordinate number of unknown calls from spammers every day, this might be a good option.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Mitch Harris
Consumer Technology Expert
Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.}
- You can set your Android to Privacy Mode so you only get calls from people you preapprove from your contacts list.^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Mitch Harris
  Consumer Technology Expert
  Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.}
- Use Do Not Disturb on your iPhone. You can silence calls from everyone except for those selected from your contacts list.^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Mitch Harris
  Consumer Technology Expert
  Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.}
3
Get call trapping. Call trapping services are paid services that force the caller to show the number from which they're calling. TrapCall is the most popular service, and works with iPhone and Android (but not landlines).^{[6]
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Research source}
4
Subscribe to custom calling services for your landline. Your phone company provides a range of call blocking and screening services. These types of services come with a monthly fee. Call your phone company to see what options are available to you. Services such as Call Screen, Priority Ringing and Call Return are ordinarily available in most states.
- Call Screen can be set up to block calls from specific numbers by sending that caller to a pre-recorded message telling them that you will not take their call.
- Priority ringing allows you to set up special ring tones for individual numbers so you know without looking at your phone if you want to answer it.
- Call Return allows you to call the last person who called you even if their number came up as "private" or "unavailable."
5
Buy an inbound call blocker for your landline. Inbound call blockers require the caller to punch in a code to reach you. This will stop calls from all callers who do not possess your personal code. While this might make it a hassle for friends, family and acquaintances to reach you, it might be worth it if you're being constantly harassed by solicitors.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do I outsmart a scammer?

Mitch Harris
Consumer Technology Expert
Mitch Harris is a Consumer Technology Expert based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mitch runs his own IT Consulting company called Mitch the Geek, helping individuals and businesses with home office technology, data security, remote support, and cybersecurity compliance. Mitch earned a BS in Psychology, English, and Physics and graduated Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University.

Mitch Harris

Consumer Technology Expert

Expert Answer

Put them on "hold" when you answer the phone. Say something like "I'll get you that later" or "I have a few things to take of" once every few seconds. It's not ideal, but at least that scammer won't be bothering anyone else while they're on the line with you.
Question

What should you do if a scammer keeps calling you?

Mitch Harris
Consumer Technology Expert
Mitch Harris is a Consumer Technology Expert based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mitch runs his own IT Consulting company called Mitch the Geek, helping individuals and businesses with home office technology, data security, remote support, and cybersecurity compliance. Mitch earned a BS in Psychology, English, and Physics and graduated Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University.

Mitch Harris

Consumer Technology Expert

Expert Answer

Scammers tend to look for low-hanging fruit. They might leave you alone if you prove to them that you'll cost more time than you're worth.
Question

How do I block unwanted phone calls on iPhone?

Mitch Harris
Consumer Technology Expert
Mitch Harris is a Consumer Technology Expert based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mitch runs his own IT Consulting company called Mitch the Geek, helping individuals and businesses with home office technology, data security, remote support, and cybersecurity compliance. Mitch earned a BS in Psychology, English, and Physics and graduated Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University.

Mitch Harris

Consumer Technology Expert

Expert Answer

iPhones let you silence unknown callers. That way, your phone won't ring if the number isn't in your address book.

Warnings

If the unwanted call fits the definition of harassment, such as the caller is calling repeatedly and using language that is either inappropriate or threatening, call the authorities to file a formal report.

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An inbound call blocker blocks anyone without a special code from calling you. This means that emergency calls might be blocked.

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Be careful when using the Call Return service, as the person you are calling may be hostile if they didn't expect to be confronted about sending unwanted calls.

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