Learn About Blocking Telemarketer Calls on Your Phone

Understanding Telemarketer Calls and Why They're a Problem

Telemarketer calls have become one of the most common complaints Americans file with the Federal Trade Commission. In 2023, the FTC received over 4.8 million complaints about unwanted calls and text messages, with robocalls and telemarketing representing a significant portion of these reports. These calls interrupt daily life, disrupt work, and can waste hours of time throughout a week for individuals who receive multiple unwanted contacts.

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Telemarketer calls are generally defined as outbound calls made by companies or individuals attempting to sell products or services, conduct surveys, or collect debts. While legitimate businesses do use telemarketing, many unwanted calls come from scammers posing as telemarketers, using caller ID spoofing to disguise their real numbers, or calling numbers on do-not-call lists. These calls often target vulnerable populations, including seniors and people with language barriers.

The financial impact of telemarketer calls extends beyond wasted time. According to research, Americans lose billions of dollars annually to telemarketing scams. Common telemarketer scams include fake tech support, impostor calls claiming to be from the IRS or other government agencies, mortgage refinancing offers, credit card consolidation schemes, and charity donation requests. Understanding the scope of the problem is the first step toward protecting yourself.

Different types of telemarketer calls include live calls from actual people, prerecorded messages, robocalls that use automated dialing technology, and text message campaigns. Each type presents different challenges and may require different blocking strategies. Some calls are made by legitimate businesses conducting market research or selling real products, while others are outright fraudulent schemes designed to steal personal information or money.

Practical takeaway: Document the types of unwanted calls you receive, including the phone number, time of call, and caller name if provided. This information will help you determine which blocking methods will be most effective for your situation.

Built-In Phone Features for Blocking Telemarketer Calls

Most modern smartphones include built-in tools to block unwanted callers without needing any additional purchases or services. iPhone users can block numbers directly through the Phone app by selecting a recent call from a telemarketer, clicking the information icon, and choosing "Block this Caller." Once blocked, that number cannot call, text, or FaceTime the user. iPhones also allow filtering of unknown callers, which automatically sends calls from numbers not in the contacts to voicemail.

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Android phones offer similar functionality through the Phone app or Messages app, depending on the device and Android version. Users can long-press on a number in their call history and select "Block number" or "Block/Report spam." Many Android devices also include a "Spam Protection" or "Call Filter" feature that automatically identifies and blocks suspected spam calls. Google's Call Screen feature on Pixel phones can even screen incoming calls from unknown numbers and show you a transcript of what the caller is saying before you decide to answer.

Beyond simple blocking, both iPhone and Android phones allow users to silence calls from unknown numbers. On iPhone, enable "Silence Unknown Callers" in Settings under Phone. This sends any incoming calls from numbers not in your contacts to voicemail, though important calls like those from your doctor's office may also go to voicemail if they're calling from an unknown number. On Android, similar features exist under different names depending on the manufacturer, such as "Block Unknown" or "Unknown Caller ID."

Another useful built-in feature is the Do Not Disturb mode available on both platforms. You can set specific times for Do Not Disturb to activate, such as during sleeping hours or work hours, and create exceptions for contacts in your Favorites or Recents list. This prevents telemarketer calls from interrupting you while allowing calls from people you actually know to come through. Additionally, most phone providers allow you to set up voicemail greetings that indicate you screen calls, which may discourage some telemarketers from leaving messages.

Practical takeaway: Start by using your phone's built-in blocking features for telemarketer numbers you've already received calls from. These tools cost nothing and require no additional setup, making them the first line of defense against unwanted calls.

The National Do Not Call Registry

The National Do Not Call Registry is a free government list maintained by the Federal Trade Commission that allows consumers to opt out of receiving telemarketing calls. Established in 2003, the registry has become one of the primary tools Americans use to reduce unwanted telemarketing calls. To register your phone number, you can visit donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you want to register. Registration is permanent and never expires.

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It's important to understand what the Do Not Call Registry does and does not cover. The registry prevents most commercial telemarketers from calling registered numbers. However, certain calls are still permitted even if you're on the list, including calls from charities, political organizations, surveys, and companies with which you've done business in the past 18 months. Additionally, calls from debt collectors, government agencies, and individuals calling on behalf of their own businesses may still reach you. Companies can also call if you have an existing relationship with them or if you've given them written consent to call.

Many people register their numbers and expect all telemarketer calls to stop immediately, but this isn't how the system works. The registry generally reduces calls, but it typically takes 31 days for the registration to take full effect. During this time, some calls may still come through as businesses process the updated registry lists. Additionally, if you provide your phone number to a business for any reason—such as making a purchase, entering a sweepstakes, or signing up for a service—that company may call you unless you specifically tell them not to.

If you continue receiving telemarketing calls after registering on the Do Not Call Registry, you can file a complaint with the FTC at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222. The FTC uses these complaints to identify patterns and take enforcement action against companies that repeatedly violate the registry rules. When filing a complaint, provide the phone number that called you, the date and time of the call, the caller's name if available, and what they were trying to sell.

Practical takeaway: Register all your phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry as a foundational step, then wait at least 31 days to see a reduction in calls. Continue documenting any calls you receive after this period, as these may warrant filing complaints with the FTC.

Service Provider Tools and Call Filtering Options

Most major phone carriers—including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and others—offer call filtering services as part of their standard service or for a small monthly fee. Verizon Call Filter, for example, comes standard for many customers and blocks spam calls while also warning customers about suspected spam calls. AT&T Call Protect performs similar functions, identifying and blocking spam calls automatically. These carrier-based solutions work at the network level before calls even reach your phone, making them quite effective.

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Some carriers offer basic call filtering at no cost, while premium versions that include features like call screening, voicemail transcription, and detailed spam reports may cost between $2 and $4 per month per line. Before paying for an upgrade, contact your carrier to confirm what call filtering services you already have as part of your plan. Many carriers have added these services automatically over the past few years in response to consumer complaints about spam and robocalls.

Third-party apps like Nomorobo, Whoscall, Truecaller, and RoboKiller offer additional blocking capabilities beyond what your phone's built-in features provide. These apps use crowd-sourced data and machine learning to identify spam calls and block them before your phone rings. Some of these apps are free with limited features, while others charge a monthly subscription for expanded functionality. Nomorobo, for instance, focuses specifically on blocking robocalls and claims to have blocked billions of spam calls since its launch.

When considering third-party apps, review their privacy policies carefully. Some apps require access to your contacts, call history, and other personal information to function effectively. Others work with carrier networks to screen calls at the network level. Free apps may generate revenue through advertising or by selling anonymized data to researchers. Paid apps typically don't collect and resell your data, though this varies by company. Read user reviews and check the app ratings before installing any call filtering application.

Practical takeaway: Contact your phone carrier