How to Block Spam Calls From Unknown Numbers: Your Guide

In today's hyper-connected world, our mobile phone has become an indispensable tool. However, this convenience comes with a significant annoyance: the relentless barrage of spam calls from unknown numbers.

These unwanted calls, often including scam calls and illegal calls, not only disrupt our daily lives but can also pose serious financial and security risks.

Learning how to block spam calls effectively is no longer a luxury but a necessity. This comprehensive guide will equip you with various strategies and tools to block calls, minimize these intrusions, and finally stop spam calls.

Spam calls getting out of hand

The sheer volume of spam and scam calls has reached epidemic proportions. Sophisticated tactics like neighbour spoofing, where scammers manipulate the caller id to display a local area code and familiar-looking phone number, make it increasingly difficult to discern legitimate incoming calls from malicious ones.

Whether it's a prerecorded message about a fake prize, an aggressive sales calls pitch, or a sinister attempt to extract personal information for phone scams, these unwanted spam calls are a constant nuisance on both cell phones and even the home phone.

Fortunately, you don't have to be a passive recipient of these intrusions. There are multiple proactive steps you can take to block spam and reclaim your peace of mind. Let's delve into the most effective methods on how to block spam calls from unknown numbers.

Leveraging your mobile phone's built-in features

Both Android and iOS operating systems have integrated built in features designed to help you manage unwanted calls.These are often the first and most readily available lines of defense.

For iPhone users

Apple offers a feature called "Silence Unknown Callers." When enabled, this feature automatically sends calls from unknown numbers directly to voicemail. The phone will still register these calls in your recent calls list, but you won't receive a notification. If the caller is a real person and not a robocaller, they will likely leave a voicemail, allowing you to screen the call and decide whether to return it.

To enable this feature:

• Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

• Scroll down and tap on "Phone."

• Look for "Silence Unknown Callers" and toggle the switch to the "on" position.

It's important to note that this feature relies on your contact list. If a number isn't saved in your contacts, it will be silenced. Therefore, ensure your contact list is up-to-date.

Also, be aware that if you are expecting a phone call from someone not in your contacts (like a delivery driver or a new service provider), you might miss their initial call. You may need to temporarily disable this feature in such situations.

For Android users

Android phones also offer varying degrees of spam protection and call blocking capabilities, often integrated directly into the phone app. Many Android devices, particularly those from Google and Samsung, have features that can identify potential spam calls and even automatically block them.

To explore these features (the exact steps might vary slightly depending on your phone model and manufacturer):

• Open your Phone app.

• Tap on the three dots (Menu icon) usually located in the top right corner.

• Select "Settings" or "Call Settings."

• Look for options like "Caller ID & spam," "Blocked numbers," or "Spam and Call Screen."

Within these settings, you should find options to:

• See caller ID and spam: This feature attempts to identify potential spam and scam calls. You may see a warning label like "Potential Spam" or "Scam Likely."

• Filter spam calls: This option can automatically block calls identified as spam.

• Block numbers: This allows you to manually block specific numbers from your recent calls list or by entering the caller's number. To manually block a number from your recent calls list, go to "Recents," tap on the number you want to block, and look for a "Block" option (it might be under a "Details" or "More" menu).

Leveraging call blocking apps (third party app)

If your phone's built in features aren't sufficient, numerous third party app options are available for both Android and iOS that offer more advanced call blocking and identification capabilities. These call blocking services often maintain extensive databases of known spam and scam numbers, providing a more robust layer of spam protection. Examples are Hiya, Truecaller, and Nomorobo.

When choosing a third party app, consider its features, user reviews, privacy policy, and any subscription cost. Be cautious about granting excessive permissions to these apps, as they often require access to your call logs and contact list.

Utilizing Belfabriek's filter and whitelist tools

Beyond the general strategies for blocking spam, Belfabriek provides its users with powerful, built in features to further refine their call blocking capabilities.

Call filter

Our Call filter allows you to create both blocklists and allowlists, giving you granular control over who can reach you. Whether you need to manually block specific numbers that have been a source of unwanted calls or grant permanent access to important contacts, the call filter offers a simple and effective solution. Callers from blocked phone numbers will hear a customizable message, such as "This number is blocked," ensuring they don't reach you.

VIP Whitelist

Conversely, the VIP Whitelist feature enables you to designate a select group of phone numbers that are the only ones able to connect with you on a particular line. All other unknown callers will be automatically notified, keeping your lines open exclusively for these prioritized contacts. This is particularly useful for setting up dedicated service lines for existing customers or ensuring that critical business number contacts always get through, effectively turning your important callers into telephone VIPs.

The National Do Not Call Registry

The National Do Not Call Registry in the United States (and similar call registry services in other countries) is designed to reduce unsolicited sales calls from legitimate businesses.

While it won't stop illegal robocalls or scam calls, registering your phone number can significantly decrease the number of legitimate telemarketing calls you receive on your home phone and cell phones.

You can register your phone number on the National Do Not Call website. Be aware that it can take several weeks for your registration to become fully effective.

Other proactive measures to avoid phone ccams

Beyond actively blocking calls, adopting certain habits can help you avoid phone scams and minimize the likelihood of receiving unwanted calls:

• Be wary of unknown callers: If you don't recognize the caller's number, let the call go to voicemail. If it's important, they will likely leave a message.

• Don't answer calls from unknown numbers: Answering the phone, even if you don't say anything, can signal to spammers that your number is active, potentially leading to more spam.

• Never share personal information: Legitimate businesses and government agencies will not ask for sensitive information like your Social Security number, bank account details, or passwords over the phone if they initiated the call.

• Be suspicious of urgent requests: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into making quick decisions. Take your time and verify any suspicious claims independently.

• Don't click on links or provide information in response to suspicious text messages: Smishing (SMS phishing) is a common tactic used to deliver malware or steal personal data.

• Report unwanted calls: If you receive illegal robocalls or potential scam calls, report spam to the relevant authorities (e.g., the FTC in the US). This helps them track down and prosecute illegal operations. You can often report unwanted calls directly through your phone app or call blocking services.

Conclusion

Dealing with spam calls from unknown numbers can feel like a constant battle. However, by implementing a combination of the strategies outlined in this guide, you can significantly reduce the number of unwanted calls you receive and protect yourself from potential phone scams.

Whether you choose to silence unknown callers using your phone's built in features, tap call blocking options, or utilize a third party app with advanced spam protection, taking proactive steps is key.

Remember to also report unwanted calls and stay vigilant about sharing personal information. By taking control of your incoming calls, you can finally silence the noise and enjoy a more peaceful and secure communication experience.