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Understanding Unwanted Phone Calls and Why They Happen

Unwanted phone calls have become a major problem for millions of people. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Americans received approximately 3.7 billion robocalls in 2023. These calls range from telemarketing pitches to scams targeting personal information or money. Understanding what unwanted calls are and where they come from is the first step toward reducing them.

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Unwanted calls include several types of calls that interrupt your day or cause concern. Robocalls use automated systems to dial numbers and play recorded messages. Telemarketing calls promote products or services. Scam calls impersonate banks, government agencies, or companies to trick people into sharing sensitive information or sending money. Spoofing is when callers disguise their phone number to appear as someone or some organization they are not.

Why do you receive these calls? Companies and scammers obtain phone numbers through various methods. Some buy phone number lists from data brokers. Others use random number generators to dial thousands of people at once. When you answer or interact with a call, scammers know your number is active, which can lead to more calls. Sharing your number online, in public registries, or on forms increases your chances of being contacted.

The impact of unwanted calls goes beyond annoyance. Studies show that 85% of adults receive unwanted calls at least once per week. These calls waste time, interrupt work and meals, and cause stress for many people. Scam calls specifically cost Americans billions of dollars annually. Older adults and vulnerable populations face particular risk from sophisticated scams.

Takeaway: Unwanted calls happen because your phone number may be on a list somewhere, and scammers know that reaching many people means some will fall for their tactics. The more you understand about how these calls work, the better you can protect yourself.

How Phone Number Blocking Works on Your Device

Modern smartphones come with built-in tools to block unwanted calls. Both Android and iPhone devices allow you to block specific phone numbers directly from your phone. When you block a number, the person calling cannot reach you, and you typically will not see a notification that they tried to call. The blocked call simply does not come through.

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To block a number on an iPhone, you can open the Phone app and find a recent call from the unwanted number. Tap the "i" information icon next to the number, then scroll down and select "Block this Caller." On Android devices, open the Phone app, find the number you want to block, press and hold it, then select "Block number" from the menu. Some Android phones place this option in different locations depending on the manufacturer, so checking your phone's settings menu may help.

Beyond blocking individual numbers, you can use your phone's built-in filtering features. iPhone offers a "Filter Unknown Callers" option in the Phone settings that sends calls from people not in your contacts to voicemail. This is helpful because many scammers use numbers you have never seen before. Android has a similar feature called "Spam Protection" on some devices, though the exact name varies by phone manufacturer. These filters learn over time which calls are likely spam.

Your phone service provider also offers blocking tools. Major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile have apps and services that screen calls before they reach your phone. Some services are free, while others charge a small monthly fee. These carrier-based tools work differently from your phone's built-in blocking because they use databases of known spam and scam numbers updated constantly. Calling your carrier's customer service can tell you what options are available on your account.

Takeaway: You have multiple layers of defense already built into your phone. Start with your phone's native blocking features, which cost nothing and work immediately. Then explore what your phone carrier offers as your next line of defense.

Free Tools and Apps for Call Blocking

Beyond your phone's basic features, dozens of free applications exist to help block unwanted calls. These apps maintain databases of known scam and spam numbers reported by millions of users. When an incoming call matches a number in their database, the app can automatically block it or alert you that the call is likely spam. Popular free options include TrueCaller, RoboKiller, and Mr. Number.

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TrueCaller, available on both iPhone and Android, identifies incoming callers and blocks spam automatically. The app shows you the caller's name even if they are not in your contacts. RoboKiller uses artificial intelligence to detect patterns associated with scam calls and blocks them before they reach you. Mr. Number lets you block calls, report spam numbers, and see reports about numbers that have called you. These apps work by comparing incoming numbers to user-reported spam lists constantly updated with new information.

How do these apps know which numbers are spam? They rely on millions of users reporting unwanted calls. When someone blocks a call and marks it as spam, that information is shared with other users. Over time, the databases become more accurate. Some apps also use technology to detect characteristics of spam calls, such as unusual calling patterns or the sound of automated systems. This crowdsourced approach makes the apps more effective than any single person could be alone.

When choosing an app, consider these features: Does it block calls automatically or alert you first? Does it have a whitelist so important calls still get through? Can you block calls by category, such as all unknown numbers? Is your personal information protected by the app's privacy policy? Reading reviews from other users who have used the app for several months can tell you whether it actually reduces the number of unwanted calls you receive. Some people use multiple apps together for better coverage.

Takeaway: Free call-blocking apps add a second layer of protection by using crowd-sourced data about known spam numbers. Choose an app that fits your preferences and check its privacy policy before installing it on your device.

Steps to Take to Reduce Incoming Unwanted Calls

Blocking individual calls is reactive—it stops calls after they arrive. Reducing the number of unwanted calls in the first place is proactive and takes more effort but provides lasting relief. Several practical steps can reduce how many unwanted calls find your phone number. The goal is to make your number less attractive to scammers and marketers.

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Register with the National Do Not Call Registry if you receive unwanted telemarketing calls. This free service, maintained by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), allows you to add your phone number to a list that telemarketers should not call. Register online at donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register. Registration is permanent and does not expire. After registering, if you continue to receive telemarketing calls from the same company, you can file a complaint with the FTC. Note that some calls are exempt from Do Not Call rules, including calls from charities, political organizations, and surveys.

Be cautious about where and how you share your phone number. Each time you enter your number on a public website, give it to a business, or post it online, it may end up on a list sold to marketers. When signing up for online services, look for privacy checkboxes and uncheck any that allow companies to share your information. Be hesitant to provide your number unless necessary. When websites ask for a phone number, consider whether they truly need it or whether you can use an email address instead.

Do not engage with unwanted calls or respond to text messages from unknown numbers. Scammers use automated systems to determine which numbers are active and worth calling again. Answering, even briefly, or pressing buttons in response to an automated message tells them your number is monitored. Hanging up silently is better than engaging. Never give personal information, account numbers, or passwords to callers you did not initiate contact with, even if they claim to be from your bank or a government agency.

Consider using a separate phone number for online shopping, contests, or less trusted websites. Many phone services allow you to create secondary numbers through apps or forwarding services. Using a different number for these purposes keeps your primary number away from databases used by scammers. Some people also use their landline sparingly and keep it unlisted to reduce unwanted calls on that line.

Takeaway: Reducing unwanted calls takes time but is worthwhile. Register with Do Not Call, be selective about sharing your number, ignore unwanted calls rather than engaging with them, and consider using secondary numbers for risky situations.

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