No matter where you are, getting unwanted calls can always be incredibly frustrating.
Whether it’s telemarketers, spam calls, or robocalls, these interruptions can ruin your mood and leave you feeling annoyed.
So, what can you do to get some peace and quiet?
To give you an idea, here are some ways to stop unwanted calls.
1. Register Your Number on the National Do Not Call Registry
The first step to stopping unwanted calls is to add your number to the National Do Not Call Registry. This registry was set up to prevent telemarketers from calling people who do not want to receive these types of calls. It’s easy to sign up—all you need to do is go to the official website or call the toll-free number and add your phone number to the list.
Once your number is on the registry, telemarketers are legally required to stop calling you. While this won’t completely eliminate all unwanted calls—especially those from scammers who ignore the law—it’s a good way to reduce the number of legitimate telemarketing calls you receive.
2. Block Unwanted Numbers
Most smartphones have built-in features that allow you to block specific phone numbers. If you keep getting calls from the same number, you can simply block it. When you block a number, any future calls from that number are automatically rejected by your phone.
To do this, go to your call log, find the number that’s been bothering you, and select the option to block it. This is a particularly useful method if the calls you’re receiving are from known numbers.
3. Use a Call Blocking App
There are also third-party apps available that specialize in blocking unwanted calls. These apps often use databases of known spam numbers to prevent those calls from reaching you. They can be very effective at identifying and stopping spam calls before they get through to your phone.
These apps are generally easy to install and use, and they often have additional features, like letting you know if a caller has been reported as spam by other users. This can be a handy way to cut down on unwanted calls without manually blocking each number.
4. Report Spam Calls
Another way to fight back against spam calls is to report them. If you receive a suspicious or unwanted call, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). When you report spam call, you help authorities track down and take action against scammers. Many call-blocking apps also have options that allow you to quickly report spam numbers.
By taking a few moments to report these calls, you’re not just helping yourself, but also contributing to efforts that can help reduce spam calls for everyone. Over time, as more numbers are reported and blocked, it becomes harder for scammers to operate.
5. Use Phone Features to Silence Unknown Callers
Most smartphones have features that allow you to silence calls from numbers that aren’t in your contact list. For example, on iPhones, you can turn on the “Silence Unknown Callers” feature.
This ensures that only calls from people in your contacts or those you’ve recently interacted with will ring through. All other calls will be sent straight to voicemail without disturbing you.
This is a great option if you’re tired of your phone constantly ringing with unknown numbers. Keep in mind, though, that some important calls, like those from your doctor’s office or a delivery service, may also be silenced, so you’ll need to check your voicemail regularly.
