How to Block Scam Calls and Report Them

Blocking one number rarely helps, because scammers switch numbers. Filtering and reporting work better.

On your phone

iPhone: Settings, Phone, Silence Unknown Callers. Calls from numbers not in your contacts go to voicemail. Also check Call Blocking & Identification in the same menu.
Android (Google Phone app): Settings, Caller ID & spam, and turn on spam filtering. Block a single number from the call history.

Free carrier tools

The big U.S. carriers offer free scam-call filters: AT&T ActiveArmor, Verizon Call Filter (free basic version) and T-Mobile Scam Shield. Check your carrier's website for how to turn it on. Some features need an app.

Report it

U.S.: reportfraud.ftc.gov, or 1-877-382-4357. You can also file a complaint with the FCC.
Spam texts: forward to 7726 (SPAM).
Canada: the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

If you lost money

Contact your bank or card company right away. Fast action can sometimes stop or reverse a payment.
Change passwords on any account you shared. Turn on two-step sign-in.
Report it, even if the amount is small. Reports help investigators find patterns.

Sources

Reviewed October 2026. Rules and scam tactics change; check the official pages for the latest.

Check a number

Got a number you don't recognize? Look it up to see where it started and whether it looks risky.