How to Stop Spam Calls (Fix the Source, Not the Number)

Last updated: October 26, 2026

To stop spam calls, turn on your phone's built-in spam filter (iPhone: Settings > Apps > Phone > Screen Unknown Callers and Call Filtering > Spam; Android/Google Phone app: Settings > Spam and Call Screen > Filter spam calls), turn on your carrier's free blocker (AT&T ActiveArmor, Verizon Call Filter, T-Mobile Scam Block via #662#), register at donotcall.gov and report calls that get through. Then fix the source: don't hand your number to giveaway/job/quiz forms with partner-consent checkboxes, revoke consent, and opt out of people-search sites, because blocking one number doesn't take your number off the lists.

Every fact below comes from official FTC and FCC pages, Apple/Google/carrier support pages, and FTC Operation Stop Scam Calls (July 18, 2023), accessed October 26, 2026. Dana Ortiz and all numbers shown in the video are fictional (555 numbers).

#Watch: How to stop spam calls

If you're blocking numbers but the calls keep coming, this video walks through every free fix in order: the spam switches already on your phone, your carrier's free blocker, the Do Not Call Registry, reporting, and the step most people skip - cutting off the source that keeps feeding your number to new lists.

#Why am I getting so many spam calls?

#Scammers can call cheap over the internet

Why so many robocalls? The FTC says: "it's cheap and easy for them to make robocalls over the internet from anywhere in the world." One operation can dial huge numbers of phones for very little money.

In fiscal year 2025, the FTC got more than 2.6 million Do Not Call complaints. The top topics: reducing debt, imposters, and medical and prescriptions. As of September 30, 2025, there were more than 258 million active registrations on the Do Not Call Registry.

#Your number is on lists

In July 2023, the FTC announced Operation Stop Scam Calls, a sweep with 100+ federal and state partners and 180+ actions. The targets were lead generators that "deceptively collect and provide consumers' telephone numbers to robocallers and others, falsely representing that these consumers have consented."

One company, Fluent, LLC, ran deceptive ads promising employment opportunities or free items (for example, a job interview or a $1,000 gift card). The consent was buried in fine print. According to the FTC complaint, "From January 2018 to December 2019" Fluent "obtained and sold more than 620 million telemarketing leads." The proposed order includes a $2.5 million civil penalty and a robocall ban.

That's one company. Your number can end up on lists through:

• Giveaway, job and quiz forms. Many include consent language allowing several "partners" to contact you.
• People-search sites. The FTC says with just your phone number, someone could buy a report with your age, your current and previous addresses, and the names and addresses of your family members.
• Data breaches. Leaked databases often include phone numbers tied to names.
• Answering robocalls. The FTC warns that pressing a number to be "removed" from a list "might lead to more unwanted calls" because it tells the caller the number is live.

#Why doesn't blocking a number stop spam calls?

You're blocking the caller. Not the source.

The FTC says caller ID is easy to fake. The number you just blocked probably wasn't real. The next call can show a different number, often one that looks local.

Blocking catches calls. It doesn't take your number off the lists.

#How do I stop spam calls on iPhone?

Apple's spam call settings have two layers.

#Step 1: Turn on Screen Unknown Callers

Open Settings > Apps > Phone. Under Screen Unknown Callers, pick Ask Reason for Calling or Silence.

Apple explains:

• Never - calls come through normally
• Ask Reason for Calling - unknown callers must state why they're calling before your phone rings
• Silence - unknown callers go straight to voicemail

#Step 2: Turn on Spam filtering

Under Call Filtering, turn on Spam.

According to Apple's guide, "Calls identified by your carrier as potential spam or fraud are silenced, sent to voicemail, and moved to the Spam list."

#Save important numbers first

Apple advises: "Add important numbers to your Contacts - family, friends, your child's school, your doctor's office." Otherwise silencing unknown callers can hide calls you need.

#How do I stop spam calls on Android?

Android spam call protection varies by phone.

#Google Phone app (most Android phones)

Tap the menu (three dots or lines), then Settings, then Spam and Call Screen. Turn on Filter spam calls.

Google's support page says the Phone app can filter spam calls automatically.

#Pixel: Call Screen

On a Pixel, Call Screen can screen unknown callers for you. The Google Assistant answers, asks why they're calling, and shows you a transcript. You pick whether to answer or hang up.

Call Screen is available in the same Spam and Call Screen settings.

#Samsung phones

Go to Phone app settings > Caller ID and spam protection. The FCC lists Samsung Smart Call as a built-in option.

Phone settings menus vary by device and software version.

#Does my carrier block spam calls for free?

Yes. All three big carriers have free spam blockers.

#AT&T ActiveArmor

AT&T ActiveArmor is "FREE ... Free with every AT&T wireless plan." It includes "Fraud & spam call blocking: Choose to block unwanted calls or have them sent to voicemail."

#Verizon Call Filter

Verizon Call Filter is free on standard monthly and prepaid plans with compatible devices. Verizon says Call Filter "detects spam and blocks high-risk spam calls by forwarding to voicemail."

#T-Mobile Scam Block

T-Mobile's Scam Block is free. Turn it on via:

• The free Scam Shield app
• Your T-Mobile account or T-Life
• Or dial #662# from your T-Mobile device

#Does the Do Not Call Registry stop spam calls?

It stops sales calls from real companies that follow the law. It won't stop scammers.

#How to register

Go to donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register. You'll get an email. Click the link within 72 hours to confirm.

The FTC says:

• It's free
• "Your registration will never expire"
• "It can take up to 31 days for sales calls to stop"

As of September 30, 2025, there were more than 258 million active registrations.

#What it does and doesn't do

The Do Not Call Registry tells law-abiding telemarketers which numbers not to call. The FTC is clear: it "stops sales calls from real companies that follow the law," but "it won't stop scammers."

The registry doesn't block calls. It's a list. Scammers ignore it.

Combine the registry with call blocking to catch what gets through.

#Should I press 1 to be removed?

No. Hang up.

The FTC says: "Pressing numbers to speak to someone or remove you from the list will probably only lead to more robocalls."

Don't press buttons. Don't call back. Just hang up.

#How do I report spam calls?

Report at donotcall.gov or ReportFraud.ftc.gov (if you lost money).

The FTC says to include:

• Your phone number (the number that received the call)
• The caller ID number, even if it's faked
• Any call-back number
• The date and time

The FTC releases reported numbers to the public each business day to help phone companies with call-blocking and labeling.

#How do spam callers get my number?

Two main sources you can do something about.

#1. Forms with buried consent

Giveaway contests. Job offers that aren't real. "Get a free quote" forms.

The FCC says: "Before submitting your number on websites, read the privacy policy and look for opt-out options - often a checkbox."

That checkbox is how your number ends up sold to telemarketers. Many forms have consent language like "I agree to be contacted by [company name] and its partners." "Partners" can mean dozens of telemarketers.

The FTC's Operation Stop Scam Calls found one company sold more than 620 million leads in under two years, collected with ads promising a job interview or a $1,000 gift card. The consent was buried in fine print.

#2. People-search sites and data brokers

The FTC says: "If someone has just one piece of information about you, like your name or phone number, they could buy a report that tells them a lot about you," including your current and previous addresses and "the name and address of your family members."

People-search sites scrape public records, buy data from other brokers, and publish it. Your phone number shows up next to your name, address and relatives. That's what makes "Hi Dana, this is about your home on Oak Street..." calls sound believable.

Search your phone number in quotes on Google: "(555) 555-0100". If a people-search site shows your name next to it, that's one source to cut off.

#How do I stop my number being sold to telemarketers?

#Stop handing it out

Read the privacy policy before you type your number into a website. Look for the opt-out checkbox. Untick "I agree to be contacted by partners."

Leave "phone" blank whenever it's optional. Use a secondary number (many apps and some carriers offer one) for quote forms, store loyalty programs and online sign-ups.

#Revoke consent

Already said yes somewhere? The FCC says "You may opt out of any robocall or robotext at any time and in any reasonable manner, even if you previously gave consent."

If a real telemarketer calls, tell them to stop. The FTC says companies must stop if you ask them not to call. Write down the date you asked them to stop.

#How do I get my number off people-search sites?

Opt out of each site one by one, for free. Then re-check.

#Where to start

Search your phone number in quotes on Google:

• "(555) 555-0100"
• "555-555-0100"

If a people-search page shows your name, follow its opt-out process. Start with the biggest sites:

• Whitepages removal guide
• Spokeo opt out
• BeenVerified opt out
• TruePeopleSearch removal
• Intelius opt out (one form covers four sites)

Our 15-site pillar guide has step-by-step opt-out instructions.

#Why listings come back

The FTC warns: "if the information in your public records changes, your information could re-appear for sale on people search sites."

Opting out stops a site from selling what it has now. It doesn't stop the site from collecting new records. Listings come back when:

• Public records change (a move, a new property listing)
• A relative's report lists you with your phone number
• The site buys fresh data from another broker

Our guide on why data brokers re-list you after opt-out explains what triggers re-listings.

Recheck every 3 to 6 months. Or let UndoLeak do that re-checking for you.

#The full checklist to stop spam calls

Here's everything in order:

1. iPhone: Settings > Apps > Phone > Screen Unknown Callers: Ask Reason for Calling or Silence. Under Call Filtering, turn on Spam.
2. Android (Google Phone app): menu > Settings > Spam and Call Screen > turn on Filter spam calls. Pixel: Call Screen. Samsung: Phone app settings > Caller ID and spam protection.
3. Save important numbers (doctor, school, family) to Contacts first, so silencing unknown callers doesn't hide them.
4. Turn on your carrier's free blocker: AT&T ActiveArmor, Verizon Call Filter, or T-Mobile Scam Block (dial #662#).
5. Register at donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222. It's free and never expires. Sales calls can take up to 31 days to stop. It won't stop scammers.
6. Hang up on robocalls. Don't press buttons or call back.
7. Report spam calls at donotcall.gov with your number, the caller ID number, date and time. If you lost money, also report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
8. Fix the source: Read privacy policies and untick partner/marketing consent boxes before typing your number into giveaways, quizzes or job offers. You can opt out of robocalls and robotexts at any time in any reasonable manner. Tell live telemarketers to stop calling and note the date.
9. Opt out of people-search sites one by one (free), and re-check, because listings can come back when public records change.

#What this fixes and what it doesn't

What these steps do:

• Silence most spam calls before your phone rings
• Stop sales calls from companies that follow the law
• Let you screen unknown callers without answering
• Report patterns to the FTC and phone companies
• Break the public link between your phone number and your name/address

What they don't do:

• They don't stop every call, because scammers ignore the rules
• Caller ID spoofing means the next call can show a different number
• Listings can reappear on people-search sites when public records change

The honest summary: call blocking handles the volume. The Do Not Call Registry cuts legal sales calls. Not engaging keeps you off "live number" lists. Removing your number from people-search sites stops the calls that sound like they know you. Listings come back, so recheck every few months.

UndoLeak erases your data from data brokers and keeps it off. We re-check and erase it again when it comes back.

Check your data free to see where your phone number is listed right now.

#Related guides

• Why am I getting so many spam calls? - the reasons spam calls happen
• How do spam callers know my name? - lead generators and data brokers
• How to remove your phone number from people-search sites - stop your number being sold
• How scammers use data brokers - why your data matters
• California DROP - one request to 600+ brokers (California residents)
• How to remove personal information from the internet - 15-site pillar guide

#Sources

1. FTC, "Robocalls": consumer.ftc.gov/articles/robocalls
2. FTC, "How To Block Unwanted Calls": consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-block-unwanted-calls
3. FTC, "National Do Not Call Registry FAQs": consumer.ftc.gov/articles/national-do-not-call-registry-faqs
4. FTC, National Do Not Call Registry Data Book FY 2025: ftc.gov/reports/national-do-not-call-registry-data-book-fiscal-year-2025
5. FTC, Operation Stop Scam Calls (July 18, 2023): ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/07/ftc-law-enforcers-nationwide-announce-enforcement-sweep-stem-tide-illegal-telemarketing-calls-us
6. FTC, Robocall sweep announcement transcript: ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/Robocall-Sweep-Announcement-Transcript-July-18-2023.pdf
7. FTC, "What To Know About People Search Sites That Sell Your Information": consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-people-search-sites-sell-your-information
8. FCC, "Stop Unwanted Robocalls and Texts": fcc.gov/consumers/guides/stop-unwanted-robocalls-and-texts
9. FCC, "Call Blocking Tools and Resources": fcc.gov/call-blocking
10. Apple, "Screen and block calls on iPhone": support.apple.com/guide/iphone/screen-and-block-calls-iphe4b3f7823/ios
11. Apple, "Manage unknown callers on iPhone": support.apple.com/en-us/111106
12. Google, "Phone app Help, Screen your calls": support.google.com/phoneapp/answer/9118387
13. AT&T, "What is ActiveArmor?": att.com/wireless/what-is-activearmor-security/
14. Verizon, "Call Filter FAQs": verizon.com/support/call-filter-faqs/
15. T-Mobile, "Block unwanted calls": t-mobile.com/support/plans-features/block-unwanted-calls

Dana Ortiz, her phone number (614) 555-0182, and every call, form and screen shown in the video are fictional recreations (555 numbers). Phone settings menus vary by device and software version. This is general information, not legal advice. UndoLeak is not affiliated with the FTC, FCC, Apple, Google, Samsung, AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile.