01 / Understand
What is happening?
A scammer may impersonate your bank, a delivery company, a government office or someone you know. Caller ID, a familiar logo and a local-looking number are not proof of identity. The goal is often to make you send money, reveal a verification code or follow a malicious link before you pause.
Blocking can reduce interruptions, but the most useful defense is a verification habit: end the conversation and contact the organization using a number you already trust. You do not owe an unexpected caller an immediate answer.
02 / Act without spending
Your free first steps
- 01
Pause. Hang up. Verify separately.
Do not share passwords, one-time codes or payment details. Call your bank using the number on your card, or open the organization’s official app yourself.
- 02
Use the controls already on your phone.
Check built-in spam reporting, call filtering and your carrier’s free options. Review missed calls so you do not accidentally hide an important legitimate call.
- 03
Report unwanted messages without replying.
Use your phone’s report-junk option. In the US, forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM) where your carrier supports it. Do not use the unsubscribe link in an obviously suspicious message.
- 04
Report a scam or an unwanted call.
Use the FTC for scams and the FCC for unwanted call and text complaints. If you sent money, contact the payment provider promptly.
Report to the FTC
An important reality check
What tools cannot promise
No call blocker catches every scam. Coverage depends on your phone, carrier, region and permissions. The US Do Not Call Registry addresses lawful telemarketing; it will not make criminals stop calling.
03 / Common questions
A few things worth knowing
Can I trust the name or number on caller ID?
Not by itself. Caller ID can be spoofed. End the call and use an independently verified number, such as the number on your bank card, rather than a number supplied by the caller.
Will the Do Not Call Registry stop scam calls?
No. The US registry is intended to reduce lawful sales calls. Scammers may ignore it. Blocking, reporting and independently verifying requests are still useful.
Should I reply STOP to every unexpected text?
Use STOP for legitimate services you recognize. For an obviously suspicious message, avoid engaging or following its links; use your device or carrier’s spam reporting tools instead.
Further help from official sources
These are established guidance resources, not a claim of new research or an endorsement of any paid tool. Check the official pages for current instructions.