News & Trending Money News

8 Effective Tips to Handle Those Annoying Spam Calls

There are techniques to stop unsolicited calls from reaching your phone.

irritated businessman holding a land line phone
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

Calls and messages from scammers are universally annoying.

You know the feeling. You pick up the phone thinking it’s something or someone important, only to be met with a recorded message about "your car’s warranty" or another obtrusive voice trying to rip you off.

So don't get caught off guard and risk avoid throwing away money. Follow these tips to reduce robo calls and stop the spam.

If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources

Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.

How to become a member today:

  • Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
  • Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
  • Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.

Become an AARP member now

Use your phone's blocking features

Wirestock Creators/Adobe blocking a phone number

Your smartphone may allow you to block particular phone numbers that call you. This may be a good option if you get repeated calls from a spammer using the same number.

Some robocallers are onto this, however, and may use numbers that change on a regular basis.

Don’t answer

DenPhoto/Adobe male hands holding phone with incoming call on the screen

The best way to respond to spam calls and texts is to not. Don't pick up the phone, and don’t text back. If you see a number pop up on the screen that you don’t recognize or isn’t in your list of contacts, ignore it.

Answering the phone alerts the robocallers that your number is active, opening the door for robocall companies to keep calling back.

Regarding texts, some say a response is required or give you an option or link to opt out. Delete these texts without responding or clicking on any links. They could lure you into a scam.

Don’t press any buttons

TheSupporter/Adobe paying with mobile phone

If, for some reason, you do pick up the call, there might be a recorded message about refinancing student loans, debt consolidation, or buying car insurance. Don’t fall for it.

The recording may give you the option to press a certain key to hear more or even have yourself removed from their mailing list. As enticing as this sounds, pressing any button lets them know your phone number is in service, and you’ll likely be put on a callback list.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.

National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1

How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.

Try it

Report them

fizkes/Adobe Serious african-american employee making business call

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a website — ReportFraud.FTC.gov — specifically for collecting information to help stop these calls and texts.

You can report what happened during the call or by text, and the information is shared with over 3,000 law enforcement officials.

These details are used in investigations to potentially bring charges against scams and bad business practices.

Look into call-blocking apps

DragonImages/Adobe locked smartphone

Another way to thwart these annoyances is with a call-blocking app for your devices.

These apps can be used to stop callers from getting through, so you don’t have to be bothered with constantly turning off your phone or having to check it every time it rings.

The FTC recommends viewing the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association’s (CTIA) guide for device-specific apps that help stop robocalls.

Talk to your cell phone carrier

JustLife/Adobe businessman in office

In addition to call-blocking apps from third parties, check with your phone provider to see if they offer any type of service that can block robocalls from getting to your phone. The same applies to landline phones as well.

Register on the Do Not Call List

Karen Roach/Adobe Getting on the do not call list

The FTC has a national Do Not Call List you can add your information to in hopes of ceasing these calls.

As odd as it sounds, your phone number will be given to telemarketers and other callers, who will have to add it to their Do Not Call database.

Be aware that this list is specifically for telemarketers, and it may not stop groups like charities, surveys, or political organizations from contacting you.

Silence unknown callers

BY-_-BY/Adobe young woman is using her smart phone

Different devices have varied ways to silence unknown callers, so check your phone settings to see if there are options you can use.

For example, the iPhone has a “Silence Unknown Callers” option under its phone settings.

Or you could use your phone’s do-not-disturb features to silence calls that aren’t from a pre-approved list or in your phone’s contacts.

Bottom line

simona/Adobe  woman sitting on the sofa with phone device and laptop computer working

Robocalls are annoying, but there are ways to slow down their frequency to your phone.

Remember that your best bet may be to not answer robocalls in the first place, giving them less knowledge of you or if your phone number is active.

But if you do answer one, hang up and don’t answer questions or give out your personal information. You can keep more money in your bank account by not interacting.

It’s vital to remember to keep your personal information private, so avoid sharing anything with someone who cold-calls you. Although reporting to authorities may seem like an annoying next step, it could help prevent more calls in the future.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0
info

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details