Spam cell phone calls getting worse? Here’s how to cut them down on your phone

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Spam calls are increasing, but cell phones have built-in tools that can help reduce them. Here’s what to do — and what to avoid when spammer call.

What not to do

The most important rule: do not interact with spam callers in any way.

Do not answer calls from unknown numbers unless you are expecting a call. If you do answer and hang up quickly, robodialers and spammer register that your number is active, which can increase future spam calls.

Never press and prompts during a spam call. Spam messages often instruct callers to press a number to be removed from a list, but pressing any number confirms your number is active and can get it added to more call lists.

Never call a suspected spam number back. Most spam calls use spoofed local numbers with local area codes.

Do not say “yes” to a spam caller — even if they ask whether you want to be removed from a call list. Spammers attempt to record a voice saying “yes” to use in other ways.

If a live person is on the suspected spam call, the best approach is to say nothing and hang up immediately. Engaging or arguing with a spam caller can flag your number as belonging to a real person and increase calls.

Blocking individual spam numbers is largely ineffective. Blocking hundreds of numbers becomes pointless and still allows spoofed numbers through.

Steps to reduce spam calls

Turn on “Silence Unknown Callers” on your cell phone. This setting sends calls from numbers not in your contacts straight to voicemail — your phone will not ring. Calls from your contacts, and numbers you have called before will still ring through when this is turned on.

Here are some tips to turn it on this feature:

• Open Settings
• Tap Phone
• Tap Silence Unknown Callers
• Turn it on

Filtering unknown text messages, this This creates a separate tab for messages from unknown numbers and helps reduce the number of spam texts to your phone.

• Open Settings
• Tap Messages
• Turn on Filter Unknown Senders

Most cell phone carriers offer free call filtering apps like AT&T Active Armor Verizon Call Filter, and T-Mobile – Scam Shield. These apps block known scam numbers, label spam risk calls, and can auto-block high-risk numbers to your cell phone.

If the same spam number keeps calling, block that number.

• Open the Phone app
• Tap Recent
• Tap the ⓘ next to the number
• Tap Block This Caller

You can also register your cell phone number at donotcall.gov. It will not stop scammers, but it does reduce legitimate telemarketing calls.

Local officials are reminding residents to never provide money or the following sensitive information to unverified sources.

• Name
• Address
• Birthdate
• Bank name
• Any account numbers
• One-time passcodes or verification texts

Use caution if you are being pressured for information immediately. The Knoxville Police Department said “If you receive a call that feels suspicious, do not immediately act on the demands of the caller.” “Simply hang up and try to verify the legitimacy of the call.”

The three most effective steps to cut down on spam calls

• Turn on Silence Unknown Callers in your phone settings
• Install your carrier’s spam protection app
• Never answer unknown numbers unless you are expecting a call, and never press any buttons or interact with a spam caller

Spam calls can drop significantly after these steps are taken, though it may take several weeks

The FCC has an entire webpage dedicated to resources for blocking calls from suspicious numbers.

If you receive a suspected scam call, you can report it to the FTC online by clicking here.