To reduce robocalls, start with the National Do Not Call Registry for legitimate sales calls, then turn on your phone's and carrier's spam tools. These steps won't stop every scam call. The safest response is to hang up, avoid calling back or pressing prompts, and verify urgent claims through an official channel.

These steps apply to U.S. consumers and U.S. phone numbers. State laws and carrier features may provide additional protections.

What to do when a robocall comes in

When an unexpected automated call reaches you:

  1. Hang up. Don't press a number to speak with an agent or "remove" your number.
  2. Don't call back using the displayed number. Caller ID can be spoofed.
  3. Block or report the call through your phone, carrier, or calling app.
  4. Verify urgent claims independently. If the caller says they represent your bank, a government agency, or a delivery company, use the number in the organization's official app, statement, or website.
  5. Protect your accounts if you shared information. Contact your bank or payment provider through an official channel. Change any exposed passwords or security codes.

Pressing a key may tell the caller that a person answered, and it won't reliably add your number to a legitimate do-not-call list. Hang up instead.

What the Do Not Call Registry actually does

The National Do Not Call Registry is meant to reduce sales calls from legitimate telemarketers. It isn't a technical spam filter, and it won't stop every unwanted or fraudulent call.

To register a number:

  1. Go to DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222.
  2. Enter up to three phone numbers at a time online.
  3. Open the confirmation email for each number.
  4. Click each link within 72 hours to complete registration.
  5. Allow up to 31 days for legitimate telemarketers to update their calling lists.

The FTC's National Do Not Call Registry FAQs explain registration and complaints. Registration generally remains in place unless a number is disconnected and later reassigned.

Calls the registry may not stop

The registry doesn't cover every type of caller. You may still receive calls from:

A legitimate business may also keep its own internal do-not-call list. If a company continues calling, tell it clearly that you want your number placed on that list and keep a record of your request.

Scammers may ignore the registry entirely. Registration doesn't prevent fraudulent calls, spoofed caller ID, or calls routed through internet-based networks.

Are all robocalls illegal?

No. "Robocall" describes how a call is made, not whether it violates the law.

The federal rules can depend on:

Some telemarketing robocalls require prior express written consent. Other automated calls, including some informational, political, charitable, healthcare, debt-related, or emergency calls, may be governed by different rules. An appointment reminder isn't automatically treated the same way as a prerecorded sales pitch.

The FTC's robocall guidance explains the main distinctions. The Do Not Call rules and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act are related but not identical. A call can violate a rule without automatically giving the recipient a private claim for money.

An AI-generated voice should be treated like any other unverified caller. A familiar voice, a local-looking number, or a claim that the caller is from a government agency doesn't prove the call is genuine.

How to block robocalls

No filter catches every spoofed or newly created number. Use the built-in tools on your phone, your carrier's features, and your own judgment together.

iPhone

In the Phone settings, look for options such as Silence Unknown Callers, call identification, or call filtering. Menu names can vary by iOS version.

Silencing unknown callers usually sends calls from numbers that aren't saved in your contacts to voicemail instead of making the phone ring. That can reduce spam, but it may also hide a legitimate call from a doctor, school, delivery driver, or employer. Save expected numbers and review voicemail regularly.

Android

Open the Phone app's settings and look for Caller ID and spam, Spam protection, or Filter spam calls. Wording differs between Google Pixel, Samsung, and other Android phones.

Check whether the feature only labels a suspected scam or blocks it completely. If you're expecting an important call, review blocked-call history and voicemail.

Carrier tools

Most major carriers offer some combination of:

Check your carrier account or contact support for the current feature name, price, and cancellation terms. Some tools are free, while others are included with certain plans or sold as a separate subscription.

Find out whether the feature blocks calls, sends them to voicemail, or only displays a warning. No carrier filter catches every unwanted call.

Third-party blocking apps

A reputable call-filtering app may identify numbers that your carrier hasn't flagged. Before installing one, check:

Treat claims such as "blocks every call" or guaranteed success cautiously. Blocking databases can miss new numbers and sometimes mislabel legitimate callers.

Landline and VoIP users

Ask your phone or cable provider whether it offers call screening, anonymous-call rejection, or suspected-spam blocking. For a traditional landline, a hardware call blocker may be another option.

Before buying a device, confirm that it works with your phone service, requires caller ID if applicable, has a clear return policy, and doesn't add a recurring fee. VoIP settings are often managed through an online account rather than the handset.

What STIR/SHAKEN does and doesn't do

STIR/SHAKEN is a carrier-network system that helps authenticate caller ID information. It can give providers more confidence that the displayed number wasn't altered as the call moved through the network.

It does not prove that:

A scammer may use a real number, compromise a legitimate account, or call through a network that doesn't provide the same authentication information. An unsigned call isn't automatically fraudulent, either. Carriers combine caller ID authentication with other signals when labeling or blocking calls.

STIR/SHAKEN isn't a consumer setting you need to configure. Treat caller ID as a clue rather than proof, and use your carrier's warning or blocking tools.

How to report a robocall to the FTC or FCC

Report the call even if you didn't lose money. The FTC analyzes report data and trends to identify illegal callers based on calling patterns.

Before submitting a report, write down:

Use the reporting route that matches the call:

The FTC says it releases reported phone numbers to the public each business day to support industry blocking efforts. A complaint doesn't guarantee an investigation, a response, or reimbursement for an individual consumer.

What evidence matters if calls continue?

Keep a simple call log instead of relying only on your phone's recent-call list. Save voicemails and screenshots in their original form. Note whether the caller asked for money, account credentials, a one-time code, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or remote access to a device.

If you're considering a legal complaint, also record:

Don't record a live conversation without checking the recording-consent rules that apply where you and the caller are located. Voicemails, call logs, and written notes are safer starting points.

Can you sue over unwanted robocalls?

Possibly, but not every unwanted call supports a private claim. Relevant facts can include the type of call, the number called, the technology used, consent, the caller's identity, and whether a federal or state rule applies.

A Do Not Call complaint and a TCPA lawsuit are separate processes. Filing a complaint doesn't automatically create compensation. If you're evaluating a claim, preserve your records and speak with a licensed attorney or a consumer-protection organization in your state. Be wary of services that promise guaranteed money or demand a large upfront fee.

State laws may impose additional restrictions, and deadlines can vary. This is general consumer information, not legal advice.

What to do if a robocall led to fraud

Act quickly if you provided information or sent money:

  1. Contact your bank, card issuer, payment app, or wire service using an official number.
  2. Explain that the transaction or account access may be fraudulent.
  3. Change exposed passwords from the real website or app, not from a link in the call or message.
  4. Tell the provider if you disclosed a one-time verification code.
  5. Save payment receipts, caller details, emails, and text messages.
  6. Report the incident through ReportFraud.gov.

Recovery depends on the payment method and how quickly you report the transaction. Don't send additional money to someone who claims they can recover your loss.

Robocall FAQ

Does the Do Not Call Registry stop scam calls?

No. It mainly helps limit legitimate telemarketing calls. Fraudsters may ignore the registry, spoof numbers, or operate outside the systems that follow it.

How long does Do Not Call registration take?

Confirm the email within 72 hours, then allow up to 31 days for legitimate sales callers to update their lists. Document and report calls that continue afterward.

Should I press a number to stop future calls?

No. Hang up instead. Pressing a key may signal that your number reached a person and won't reliably stop future calls.

Is a "Scam Likely" label always accurate?

No. It's a carrier or app warning based on available signals. It can miss scams and occasionally flag legitimate callers. Verify important calls independently.

What's the best robocall blocker?

There isn't one tool that works for every phone or call type. Start with your phone's built-in filter and your carrier's free options. Consider a third-party app only after reviewing its privacy, permissions, and billing terms.

Can a robocall be legal?

Yes. Some automated calls are permitted or follow different rules, particularly when they aren't telemarketing or when the recipient gave the required consent. The caller's purpose, technology, number type, and consent all matter. When you're unsure, don't provide information; verify the caller through an official channel.