Quick answer: You can cut most robocalls for free in about 5 minutes. Register at DoNotCall.gov, turn on your phone’s spam filter, switch on your carrier’s free blocking app, and never press a button on a robocall. Report scams to the FTC and FCC.
Americans get billions of robocalls every year, and many are scams pretending to be banks, the IRS, Medicare or a delivery company. You can’t stop every unwanted call, but a few free steps cut them sharply. Here is the 5-minute setup that works on any U.S. phone.
Do these 4 things today
- Register at DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to add. It’s free and never expires.
- Turn on your phone’s spam filter (iPhone and Android both have one).
- Turn on your carrier’s free call blocking.
- Report scam calls to the FTC at DoNotCall.gov or ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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Step 1: Join the National Do Not Call Registry
Go to DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the number you want to register. Registration is free and doesn’t expire. Legitimate telemarketers have up to 31 days to stop calling. If sales calls continue after that, they are breaking the rules, and you can report them on the same site.
The registry doesn’t block political calls, charities, surveys, debt collectors, or companies you already do business with. And scammers ignore it, which is why the next steps matter.
Step 2: Turn on your phone’s built-in filter
| Phone | Setting | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers (or Call Screening) | Sends unknown numbers straight to voicemail |
| Android (Google Phone app) | Phone app → Settings → Caller ID & spam | Flags and can block suspected spam calls |
| Samsung | Phone app → Settings → Caller ID and spam protection | Identifies and blocks spam numbers |
Step 3: Use your carrier’s free blocking
- T-Mobile: Scam Shield app (free tier).
- AT&T: ActiveArmor (free tier).
- Verizon: Call Filter (free tier).
- Check your carrier’s app for the setting; paid upgrades add features, but the free versions block known scam numbers.
Step 4: How to handle the calls that get through
- Don’t press any button or say “yes”; just hang up.
- Never give your Social Security number, bank details or a one-time code to a caller.
- If someone claims to be your bank or a government agency, hang up and call the number on their official website or your card.
- Report the number at DoNotCall.gov or ReportFraud.ftc.gov, then block it.
⚠️ Real government agencies, including the IRS, Social Security and Medicare, won’t call to threaten arrest or demand payment by gift card, wire transfer or crypto. Scam texts work the same way: see how to spot and report scam texts.
Why you still get robocalls (and why it’s not your fault)
Robocalls are cheap to send. A scammer can place thousands of calls a minute from overseas using internet phone systems. Most of these callers fake the caller ID so the call looks local. This trick is called “spoofing.”
The FCC has required major U.S. carriers to use a caller ID check called STIR/SHAKEN since June 30, 2021. It helps your carrier label calls as “Spam Likely” or “Verified.” It does not stop every bad call, because many scam calls start outside the U.S. network.
The money at stake is real. The FTC says Americans reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, and phone calls are one of the main ways scammers reach people. Older adults are hit hardest when a scam starts with a phone call.
Which calls are legal and which are not
Knowing the rules helps you decide what to report. Here is a simple guide based on FTC and FCC rules.
| Type of call | Legal? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Prerecorded sales call you never agreed to | No | Hang up, report at DoNotCall.gov |
| Sales call 31+ days after you joined the registry | No (unless you’re a customer or gave permission) | Report at DoNotCall.gov |
| Robocall using an AI-cloned voice without consent | No (FCC ruling, Feb. 2024) | Report at fcc.gov/complaints |
| Political, charity or survey call | Usually yes | Ask to be put on their own do-not-call list |
| Pharmacy refill or school closing alert | Yes (informational) | Opt out with the company |
| Debt collector | Yes, with limits | See the CFPB’s debt collection rules |
| Caller asking for gift cards, crypto or a wire | Always a scam | Hang up, report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov |
Step 5: Protect a landline or an older parent’s phone
Landlines get some of the worst robocalls, and many seniors still use them. Spam filters on smartphones don’t help here. Try these instead:
- Ask your phone company what free blocking it offers. Many cable and internet phone providers include tools like “Anonymous Call Rejection.”
- Nomorobo is free for many internet (VoIP) landlines. Check if your provider is supported.
- Buy a phone with a built-in call blocker. These let only saved numbers ring through. Others go to a short screening message.
- Add the number to the Do Not Call Registry too. It covers landlines and cell phones.
Also read: How to freeze your credit for free. It’s the best backup if a scam caller ever gets your personal details.
What to do if you already answered or shared information
Don’t panic. Act quickly and in this order:
- Gave a card or bank number? Call your bank using the number on your card. Ask them to block the card and watch for fraud.
- Gave your Social Security number? Freeze your credit at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. It’s free. Then go to IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan.
- Paid with a gift card? Call the gift card company right away and keep the receipt. Some can freeze unused funds.
- Sent money by wire or app? Contact the wire company or app (like Zelle or Western Union) and ask them to reverse it.
- Shared a one-time code? Change that account’s password now and turn on two-step login.
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, even if you lost nothing.
Common mistakes that bring more robocalls
- Pressing 1 “to be removed.” This tells the caller your number works.
- Saying “yes” to “Can you hear me?” Just hang up instead.
- Calling back missed unknown numbers. Some scams use toll numbers or set you up for a pitch.
- Entering your number in online contests and quote forms. These can give companies permission to call you.
- Paying for a blocking app before trying the free tools. Your phone and carrier already have good free options.
Real-world examples
These are made-up examples to show how the steps work.
Linda, 72, in Ohio got five “Medicare benefits” calls a day on her landline. Her son added the number to the registry and bought a call-blocking phone that lets only saved contacts ring. Within a week the calls stopped ringing through.
Marcus, 34, in Texas turned on Silence Unknown Callers on his iPhone and his carrier’s free filter. Spam calls now go to voicemail. He checks voicemail once a day for real calls, like a doctor’s office.
Can you sue a robocaller?
Sometimes. A federal law, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), lets people sue over illegal robocalls. Damages can be $500 per call, or up to $1,500 if the violation was willful. This works best against real U.S. companies you can identify. Scammers overseas are almost impossible to sue. Talk to a consumer lawyer if one company keeps calling you.
Recommended products
- Call blocker for landlines – Stops robocalls before the phone even rings.
- Corded phone with call blocking – Big buttons and built-in spam blocking for seniors.
- Cordless phone with call blocking – Blocks unknown callers across every handset.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Nexgen Headlines earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability can change.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Do Not Call Registry free?
Yes. Registering at DoNotCall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222 is free, and your registration doesn’t expire.
Why do I still get robocalls after registering?
The registry stops legitimate telemarketers. Scammers ignore it, so also use your phone’s spam filter and your carrier’s blocking tools.
Should I answer and press a number to be removed?
No. Pressing a key or saying anything can confirm your number is active. Just hang up.
Where do I report a scam call?
At DoNotCall.gov or ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Bottom line
You won’t stop every robocall, but you can stop most of them from ringing. Join the free registry, turn on your phone and carrier filters, and hang up without pressing anything. Report what gets through. It takes 5 minutes and protects your money.
Sources: FTC – National Do Not Call Registry; FTC – How to Block Unwanted Calls; FTC – 2024 fraud loss data; FCC – Call Authentication (STIR/SHAKEN); FCC – AI voices in robocalls ruling; IdentityTheft.gov.
Last reviewed: Oct. 23, 2026.
