Tech Helpers

Spam Call Protection

By Kathy Clancy

How to Turn On Spam Call Protection: Your Complete Guide

Spam calls are more than annoying — they're a gateway to scams. In 2024, Americans received over 50 billion robocalls, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics to steal money and personal information. The good news? Your phone already has built-in tools to fight back, and your carrier likely offers free protection too.

This guide walks you through three layers of protection: your phone's settings, your carrier's free tools, and the best third-party apps when you need extra help.

Layer 1: Turn On Your Phone's Built-In Protection

Both iPhone and Android have powerful spam-blocking features built right in. Here's how to enable them.

iPhone (iOS 18 and later)
Silence Unknown Callers

This sends calls from numbers not in your contacts straight to voicemail — your phone won't even ring.

  • Open Settings
  • Tap Apps, then tap Phone
  • Scroll to Screen Unknown Callers
  • Select Silence (or "Ask Reason for Calling" if you want callers screened first)

Enable Carrier Spam Filtering

If your carrier supports it, this labels suspected spam calls before you answer.

  • Go to Settings > Apps > Phone
  • Scroll to Call Filtering
  • Turn on Spam to silence calls your carrier identifies as spam or fraud

Android (Google Phone App)
Enable Caller ID & Spam Protection

  • Open the Phone app
  • Tap the three-dot menu (top right) and select Settings
  • Tap Caller ID & Spam
  • Enable "See caller and spam ID" and "Filter spam calls"

Block Unknown Callers

  • In Phone app Settings, tap Block numbers
  • Turn on "Block calls from unknown numbers"

Samsung Phones
Samsung phones have Smart Call, which identifies unknown callers and flags spam.

  • Open the Phone app
  • Tap the three-dot menu > Settings
  • Tap Caller ID and spam protection (or Smart Call)
  • Toggle it on

Note: Menu locations may vary slightly depending on your phone model and software version. If you can't find an option, use the search function in Settings.

Layer 2: Activate Your Carrier's Free Spam Protection

All major U.S. carriers offer free spam call protection that works at the network level — blocking suspicious calls before they even reach your phone. Here's how to activate each one.

Verizon: Call Filter
Verizon's free Call Filter identifies and blocks robocalls, alerts you to suspected spam, and lets you report unwanted numbers.

  • Download the Call Filter app from the App Store or Google Play
  • Log in with your My Verizon account
  • Toggle on spam protection and set your preferred blocking level

Upgrade option: Call Filter Plus ($3.99/month) adds caller ID, a personal block list, and spam risk ratings.

AT&T: ActiveArmor
AT&T's ActiveArmor automatically blocks fraud calls at the network level and alerts you to suspected spam. The basic version is free for all AT&T wireless customers.

  • Download the AT&T ActiveArmor app
  • Open the app and activate spam and fraud call blocking
  • Customize settings to block, allow, or send suspicious calls to voicemail

Upgrade option: Advanced Mobile Security ($3.99/month, or free with certain plans) adds reverse number lookup, safe browsing, and dark web monitoring.

T-Mobile: Scam Shield
T-Mobile's Scam Shield provides real-time scam detection and call screening for free.

  • Download the T-Mobile app (Scam Shield is built in)
  • Log in and navigate to Scam Shield
  • Toggle Scam Shield to ON

Quick tip: You can also dial #662# from your T-Mobile phone to enable Scam Block, which blocks calls identified as scams. Dial #632# to check status, or #663# to disable.

Upgrade option: Scam Shield Premium adds personal block lists, reverse number lookup, and voicemail-to-text.

Layer 3: Best Third-Party Spam Blocker Apps

If spam calls are still getting through, or you want more advanced features like caller ID for unknown numbers, these well-reviewed apps can add an extra layer of protection.

1. Truecaller
Best for: Free caller ID and spam blocking

Truecaller is one of the most popular spam-blocking apps worldwide, with over 450 million users contributing to its database. When someone calls, it checks the number against a constantly updated list of known spam numbers and displays the caller's identity — even if they're not in your contacts.

Key features:

  • Caller ID for unknown numbers
  • Automatic spam call blocking
  • Community-based spam reporting
  • SMS spam filtering (Android)

Cost: Free basic version. Premium ($2.99/month) removes ads and adds advanced features.

2. Hiya
Best for: AI-powered spam detection

Hiya uses artificial intelligence to detect spam calls in real time and is trusted by major carriers — both AT&T and T-Mobile use Hiya's technology in their own spam protection services. With over 400 million users globally, it has one of the largest databases for identifying unwanted calls.

Key features:

  • Color-coded call screens (green for safe, red for spam)
  • Neighborhood spoof detection
  • Business caller identification
  • Reverse phone lookup

Cost: Free basic version. Premium ($3.99/month) adds automatic blocking and enhanced caller ID.

3. RoboKiller
Best for: Aggressive blocking and spam text protection

RoboKiller takes a different approach: instead of just blocking spam calls, it can answer them with "Answer Bots" — automated responses that waste scammers' time. It also offers strong protection against spam texts, which many other apps lack.

Key features:

  • Audio fingerprinting (catches spammers even when they change numbers)
  • Answer Bots that engage and waste scammers' time
  • Spam text blocking
  • Customizable block and allow lists

Cost: $4.99/month (no free tier, but offers a 7-day free trial).

The Bottom Line

You don't need to pay for spam protection. Start with your phone's built-in settings and your carrier's free tools — that combination stops most unwanted calls. If spam is still a problem, a free app like Truecaller or Hiya can help. Save the paid apps for situations where you need maximum protection.

My recommended approach:

  • Turn on "Silence Unknown Callers" on your phone if your contact list is up to date
  • Activate your carrier's free protection (Call Filter, ActiveArmor, or Scam Shield)
  • If needed, add Truecaller (free) for caller ID on unknown numbers

Remember: Scammers rely on you answering. If you don't recognize a number, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate callers will leave a message.

Need help setting this up?

Tech Helpers offers one-on-one guidance for Northeast Ohio residents. Contact Kathy Clancy at 216-245-7092 or [email protected] to schedule a session.

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