Unwanted international calls and spam are a major nuisance. Not only are they annoying, but they can also be dangerous if you fall victim to a scam. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to block these calls on both mobile phones and landlines.
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Use Built-In Phone Features
Most smartphones nowadays come with built-in call blocking features:
- iPhone – Enable “Silence Unknown Callers” in Settings > Phone to automatically block calls from numbers not in your contacts. You can also download call blocking apps from the App Store.
- Android – Go to Call Settings > Auto reject list > Create to block specific numbers or international dialing codes. Many Android devices also have call screening apps pre-installed or available for download.
- Samsung – Navigate to Call Settings > Block Numbers > Block List to block unwanted callers. You can also activate “Call Barring” to restrict international calls.
- Google Pixel – Use the built-in “Call Screen” feature to automatically screen and block robocalls. Enable this in Phone app Settings.
Use Carrier Services
Most phone carriers such as Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile offer optional call blocking services, often available via a companion app. These will provide various options to block calls from spammers and international numbers:
- Automatically block known scam/spam numbers
- Personal block lists
- Block calls from hidden/private numbers
- Block international calls
- See risk ratings for incoming calls
The exact features will vary between carriers. Contact your provider to see what spam call blocking services they offer.
Download Third-Party Apps
If the above options don’t suit your needs, consider downloading a third-party call blocking app such as Truecaller, RoboKiller or Hiya. These give you extra flexibility like:
- Crowdsourced spam number databases
- Reverse phone number lookup
- Block calls by country/region
- Keyword blocking
- Blacklists/whitelists
However, some paid subscriptions may be required for full functionality. Make sure to check their privacy policies before using third-party apps.
Register Phone Number on Do Not Call List
You can register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry to opt out of receiving sales calls from legitimate telemarketers. However, illegal robocallers often ignore do not call lists, so additional blocking methods may still be required.
Report Unwanted Calls
If you receive an illegal robocall, spam text or other unwanted communication, report it to authorities:
- FTC – File complaint at donotcall.gov or 888-382-1222
- FCC – File complaint at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov
- Carrier – Forward spam texts to 7726 or report numbers through carrier app
While reporting may not stop the unwanted calls immediately, it helps crack down on illegal callers in the long run.
Tips for Avoiding Spam Calls
Here are some extra tips to reduce unwanted calls:
- Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers
- Avoid posting your phone number online
- Be cautious providing your number to businesses
- Set contacts to only accept calls from saved numbers
- Turn on “Do Not Disturb” mode when busy
How to Block International Calls on Landlines
Blocking international calls on traditional landlines is trickier as you don’t have access to smartphone apps and features. Here are the best options:
- Contact phone provider – Ask if they offer any international call blocking services for landlines.
- Use call blocking device – Purchase a physical call blocking device that screens and routes calls between your landline and phone.
- Change number – As a last resort, change your landline number if you continue receiving unwanted international calls.
Be wary of scammers impersonating domestic numbers. Combine the above strategies to effectively block international calls and spam on both mobile and landlines. Let me know if you have any other questions!