Scam calls are nowhere near a new phenomenon. But in recent years, they have become a major frustration for many people. Not only are these calls annoying, but they can also result in you losing large amounts of money or having your information stolen.
According to the Federal Communications Commission’s 2024 robocall report, unwanted and spoofed calls remain one of the most common issues consumers file complaints about nationwide.
Scam calls have also gotten harder to identify. Criminals use automated dialing systems and fake caller ID information to make the call seem more believable.
The good news is that you can stop most scam calls before they reach you. Once you understand how these calls work and which tools block them effectively, you can take back control of your phone and protect your personal information with confidence.
Key Takeaways
- Vishing attempts continue to rise, and many now use spoofed caller IDs or automated systems that make the call look familiar.
- Your phone likely already has tools that can silence unknown callers, flag suspicious numbers, and filter messages. These built-in settings are a reliable first layer of defense against unwanted calls.
- Most major phone carriers maintain large databases of known scam numbers. You can utilize your carrier’s call-blocking tools to reduce the volume of automated and high-risk calls that reach your phone.
- Many scam calls originate from data leaks or automated dialing systems. Cleaning up your digital footprint and limiting where your number is shared is a great way to cut down the number of scam calls you receive.
- When a suspicious call comes through, the safest move is to not answer. Let unknown numbers go to voicemail and report scams to the FTC or FCC when appropriate.
How to Recognize a Scam Call
Vishing (“voice phishing”) calls used to be easy to spot. For example, when you answer, you’d hear a robotic voice or a strange pause before someone spoke. However, today, scammers use more advanced tactics that make the calls much more difficult to identify. Because of this, it’s more important than ever to know the subtle signs that something isn’t right.
Common Warning Signs
- Unknown or spoofed numbers: The caller ID looks familiar, but the number doesn’t match a real business or contact.
- Unsolicited contact: Are you expecting to hear from the company or agency? If not, there is a high chance it’s a scam.
- A noticeable pause before someone speaks: Many scam calls use auto-dialers that take a moment to connect you to a live scammer.
- Pressure to act immediately: Threats about overdue payments or “urgent” requests are common scam tactics.
- Requests for sensitive information: No legitimate company will ask you for your full Social Security number, banking details, or passwords over the phone.Unusual payment requests: Scammers often request payment through unusual methods, such as gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrencies.
How to Stop Scam Calls
Feeling buried under a constant flurry of spam calls? Millions of Americans feel your pain. The good news is that you have more control than you might think. There are quite a few steps you can take to reduce or even completely eliminate phishing callers.
Use Built-In Phone Settings
Both iPhone and Android devices have built-in settings that can silence unknown numbers and filter out potential spam. These features won’t block every scam call, but they’re a solid first layer of protection.
iOS Settings
Apple’s built-in call-silencing tools do a solid job of reducing scam calls and silencing them on your device. Here are some important settings to help you filter out suspicious calls.
- Silence Unknown Callers
This feature sends calls from numbers not already in your contacts straight to voicemail. Here is how to turn this setting on:
- Open Settings
- Tap Phone
- Select Silence Unknown Callers
- Toggle it On
- Enable SMS and Call Filtering
iOS devices have a built-in feature that detects potential spam texts or calls and moves them into a separate “Unknown” folder. This feature won’t silence the calls completely, but it will make it easier to identify them.
- Go to Settings > Messages
- Turn on Filter Unknown Senders
Android Settings
Android security settings vary quite a bit depending on the manufacturer, but most devices use Google's Caller ID & spam protection.
- Turn on Spam Protection
This feature uses Google’s built-in spam detection to identify suspicious numbers before they reach you. When it’s enabled, many scam and robocalls are flagged automatically or sent straight to voicemail.
- Open the Phone app
- Tap the three dots (top right)
- Select Settings
- Tap Caller ID & Spam
- Turn on Filter spam calls
- Silence Unknown Callers
This feature works similarly to the iPhone version.
- Open Settings > Sound & vibration
- Look for Do Not Disturb options
- Adjust rules to silence unknown numbers
- Use Google’s Verified Calls (Not available on all devices)
This shows when registered businesses call and why they’re calling. When a Google verified business calls you, you’ll see their logo and business name, as well as Google’s verification symbol.
Take Advantage of Your Carrier’s Tools and Apps
Most major phone carriers also have their own call-blocking tools. These tools are not perfect, and scammers have found numerous ways to get around them. But when combined with your device settings, they can significantly reduce scam calls.
Here are the main tools for the major US-based phone carriers:
These features identify high-risk callers, label potential spam, and automatically block known scam numbers. They all have both free and paid versions, so if you are already a customer of one of the major phone carriers, you should at the very least, take advantage of your free scam call protection.
Install Third-Party Call-Blocking Apps
If you’re still getting a high volume of unwanted calls, third-party blocking apps can add another layer of protection. These apps have large, constantly updated databases of known scam numbers and use that information to filter out suspicious calls before they reach you.
There are quite a few different options out there for blocking spam calls. Here are a few of the most popular options:
- Hiya: Uses real-time reputation scoring to detect suspicious calls and is particularly strong at catching spoofed local numbers.
- Nomorobo: Blocks calls by routing them through its robocall database first, filtering out automated scams before they reach your phone.
- Truecaller: Relies on a large, caller ID database to identify unknown numbers and highlight how other users have reported them.
Register with the National Do Not Call List
Adding your number to the National Do Not Call Registry is a great way to cut down on legitimate telemarketing calls. You can register for free, and your number stays on the list permanently.
This won’t stop scam vishing calls. As you might expect, scammers do not follow the list, so you’ll likely continue getting scam calls after adding your number to the registry.
That said, joining the registry helps in two ways: it reduces the background noise of legal sales calls, and it makes it easier to spot when a call is fraudulent. If you’re still getting unknown calls after registering, you can safely assume they are scams.
Use Lifeguard for Threat Detection and Alerts
Even with phone filters in place, some scam calls, especially those with spoofed numbers, can still slip through the cracks. Lifeguard adds an extra layer of protection by analyzing calls before you pick up and flagging numbers linked to known scams, fraud campaigns, or spoofing activity. You’ll also get warnings when a caller’s identity doesn’t match the number they’re using.
Lifeguard will even remove your information from over 120 data brokers and register your number with the National Do Not Call List.
Common Types of Scam Calls
Some scam calls rely on fear, while others are designed to spark curiosity. Over time, scammers have figured out which methods are the most effective and which stories people are most likely to believe. Let’s take a look at some of the most common types of scam calls:
IRS or Government Impersonation Calls
A call from a government agency can make anyone feel anxious, which is why many scammers use the IRS or Social Security Administration as a cover. These callers often claim there’s a serious problem with your account or taxes and insist that you take immediate action. The IRS clearly states online that they don’t demand payment over the phone or make threats. So if you get an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, it’s likely a scam.
Bank or Credit Card “Fraud Department” Scams
These scams typically begin with a call claiming that your bank has detected unusual activity. The caller will sound professional and may even reference real banking terminology to gain your trust. They’ll then ask you for your login information “to secure the account.” In reality, those details allow them to access your account.
Fake Delivery Notifications
With so many people relying on online shopping, delivery scams have become increasingly popular. Scammers will call you claiming your package couldn’t be delivered and ask you to confirm your address. Some ask for small fees to “release” the shipment. There has been an uptick in fake delivery fraud in recent years, with many scammers spoofing real carrier numbers. If a shipping company is asking for payment or personal details by phone, always check the status through the official app or website first.
Tech Support Scams
A tech support scam usually starts with someone telling you your device has a security issue. The caller claims to represent a well-known, familiar company and guides you through steps that give them remote access to your device. Once inside your device, scammers may steal files or request payment for fake services. Any unsolicited tech support call should be treated with caution. Reputable tech companies like Microsoft and Apple don’t cold-call customers about security problems.
Medicare and Insurance Scams
Health insurance scam calls are also common. A scammer might claim your benefits are expiring or offer help upgrading a plan; they will ask for your personal details, and potentially even attempt to get you to make a payment. Legitimate Medicare or health insurance representatives don’t call out of the blue asking for sensitive information. If you aren’t expecting a call or if something seems off, it’s likely a scam.
Debt Collection Scams
In this common type of phone fraud, scammers will insist you owe money and imply there will be consequences if you don’t pay right away. The caller may already have pulled some details, such as your name, address, or partial Social Security number, from data breaches or public records.
Real collectors must legally provide written proof of a debt. If the caller refuses to send documentation, becomes hostile when questioned, or demands payment on the spot, it’s a strong indication that the call is fraudulent.
Why You’re Getting Unwanted Calls
A lot of people wonder the same thing you might be asking yourself right now: How did these callers even get my number? Unsolicited calls can feel random, but there is generally a reason the scammer has your details.
Sometimes your number was shared through legitimate channels; other times it ended up in the wrong hands through leaks or automated systems. Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons you are getting scam calls.
Your Number Was Sold or Shared
Ever enter your phone number for a coupon or quick sign-up and wonder what happened to it afterward? A lot of companies share those details with marketing partners, and some even sell them outright. Once your number gets added to one of these lists, it can move from one database to another for years. Every time you join a loyalty program or fill out an online form, you risk your number being shared with other organizations and databases.
Data Breach or Leaked Information
Another common way that scammers get your phone number is through data breaches. Scammers can purchase breached phone numbers and other personal information in criminal marketplaces and then use it for robocalling campaigns or targeted vishing attempts. These marketplaces often package your phone number with other information, such as your full name, address, employer, date of birth, or even the bank you use.
This extra context makes their calls sound far more legitimate, which is why data breaches can lead to some of the most convincing phone scams.
Auto-Dialing Technology
Even if your number has not been part of a data breach or shared with a data broker, you may still be receiving spam calls.
Many scammers use auto-dialers that call every number in a given area code or number range. If your number happens to fall in that block, you’ll likely get a scam call. And if you answer even once, the system will flag your number as “active,” which will result in even more scam calls.
Public Listings
Have you ever posted your number on a resume, marketplace listing, or old social media bio and forgotten about it? Scammers scrape public websites looking for phone numbers exactly like those. Even something you shared years ago, like a Craigslist listing, may still exist somewhere online. Once your number appears on any public page, it’s easy for scammers to collect it and add it to their call lists.
How to Handle Scam Calls Safely
When a suspicious call comes in, the safest move is to avoid engaging at all. Here’s a simple step-by-step approach for handling a scam call.
- Don’t answer unknown or suspicious numbers: If the caller ID looks off, says “Scam Likely,” or you don’t recognize the number, let it go to voicemail. Answering the call can lead to even more unwanted calls down the road.
- Avoid sharing any personal information: Don’t share any of your personal details until you can confirm that the call is legit. Trusted companies will not ask for sensitive personal information over the phone.
- Hang up immediately if something feels wrong: If you do pick up and the call sounds threatening, urgent, or scripted, end the call right away.
- Block the number on your phone: After hanging up, block the number directly from your device. While blocking isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, it helps reduce repeat attempts from the same operation.
- Report the call to the appropriate agency: Use official channels to report scam calls, such as ReportFraud.ftc.gov or the FCC’s Consumer Complaints portal.
Take Back Control of Your Phone
Scam calls are frustrating and intrusive. But once you understand how these calls work and which tools actually make a difference, they become far easier to shut down.
If you are looking for a simple way to stay ahead of scam callers, Lifeguard can handle the heavy lifting for you. Lifeguard scans incoming calls in real time, flags numbers tied to fraud campaigns, and warns you when a caller’s identity doesn’t match the number they’re using. It also removes your personal information from more than 120 data brokers and automatically registers your number with the National Do Not Call List.