Tired of receiving unwanted calls from scammers and spammers? You’re not alone. Millions deal with this every day. Fortunately, you can take control—legally and safely. Here’s how:

Step 1: Understand What Spam Calls Are

Spam calls are unsolicited calls made to promote services, sell products, or scam you. These may include:

• Robocalls from fake tech support
• Telemarketing offers you didn’t ask for
• Spoofed calls that appear local but aren’t

Step 2: Don’t Answer Unknown Numbers

If you don’t recognize a number:

• Let it go to voicemail.
• If it’s important, they’ll leave a message.
• Don’t answer or say “yes”—scammers may record your voice and misuse it.

Step 3: Block Numbers Immediately

On most phones:

• iPhone: Go to recent calls → tap (i) → scroll down → Block this Caller
• Android: Tap the number in call log → More options (⋮) → Block/report spam

Also:

• Use phone carrier blocking services like AT&T Call Protect or Verizon Call Filter.

Step 4: Use Call-Blocking Apps

Install these free or paid apps to filter spam calls:

• RoboKiller
• Hiya
• TrueCaller
• Nomorobo

They identify known scam numbers and prevent them from reaching you.

Step 5: Register on the Do Not Call List

In the U.S., register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry.

While scammers may still call illegally, this helps reduce legitimate telemarketing calls.

Step 6: Report Spam Calls

If a call seems suspicious, report it to:

• FTC
• FCC
• Your phone carrier (they often have a spam reporting number like 7726)

Step 7: Create Your Own Lenny Bot (For Techies)

If you want to waste scammers’ time, you can build a prank bot like Lenny, which keeps robocallers on the line with ridiculous pre-recorded messages.
Make sure you only use it to answer calls you receive—you cannot use it to target people.

Step 8: Use a Secondary or Fake Number

Use services like:

• Google Voice
• TextNow

When signing up online, avoid using your real phone number.

Step 9: Never Sign Others Up for Spam

Tempted to enter someone else’s number in a spam form? Don’t.
It’s illegal in most places and could get you sued or fined.

Step 10: Stay Informed

New scam techniques emerge every day. Stay updated via:

• FCC Scam Alerts
• Consumer Reports on robocalls

Final Thoughts

Spam calls are frustrating, but with the right steps, you can take back control of your phone. Use smart tools, stay cautious, and help others stay informed.

FAQ

Q1: How do I stop spam calls permanently?
A: Block the number, register on DoNotCall.gov, and use call-blocking apps like RoboKiller or TrueCaller.

Q2: Can I report a spam number?
A: Yes. Report it to the FTC or forward the number to 7726 (SPAM) from your phone.

Q3: Is it illegal to sign someone up for spam calls as revenge?
A: Yes, it’s considered harassment and could result in legal consequences.

Q4: Can scammers spoof local numbers?
A: Absolutely. They use caller ID spoofing to make it look like a trusted or local number.

Q5: What’s the safest way to prank a spammer?
A: Use a Lenny Bot or similar safe tools that keep the scammer on the line without violating any laws.