Spam calls have become an epidemic, interrupting our days, posing security risks, and generally making us want to throw our phones across the room. If you're a Verizon customer, you're not alone in facing this onslaught. The good news is that Verizon, along with some proactive measures you can take, offers various tools to help you reclaim your phone and your peace of mind.
Are you tired of your phone ringing off the hook with unknown numbers, only to discover it's another automated sales pitch or a dubious scammer? Let's put a stop to that right now! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step to significantly reduce and even eliminate those irritating spam calls on your Verizon line.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Leverage Verizon's Official Call Filter App
Understanding Call Filter Free vs. Call Filter Plus
Downloading and Setting Up the App
Customizing Your Call Filter Settings
Step 2: Utilize Built-in Phone Blocking Features
Blocking Individual Numbers
Silencing Unknown Callers (iPhone & Android)
Step 3: Register with the National Do Not Call Registry
What the Do Not Call Registry Does (and Doesn't Do)
How to Register Your Number
Step 4: Be Wary of Your Actions
Don't Engage with Spam Callers
Don't Confirm Personal Information
Be Careful with Online Forms and Surveys
Step 5: Report Spam Calls to Verizon and the FTC
Reporting Through the Call Filter App
Reporting to Verizon Directly
Reporting to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Step 6: Consider Third-Party Call Blocking Apps
When to Use Third-Party Apps
Popular and Reputable Options
Step 7: Proactive Network-Level Blocking (Landlines)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Step 1: Leverage Verizon's Official Call Filter App
Verizon offers its own robust solution for combating spam calls: the Call Filter app. This is often your first and most effective line of defense.
Understanding Call Filter Free vs. Call Filter Plus
Verizon offers two versions of its Call Filter service:
Call Filter (Free Version): This free offering provides basic spam detection and alerts, allows you to automatically send high-risk spam calls to voicemail, and enables you to report numbers as spam. It also includes a "Neighborhood Filter" to block spoofed calls that appear to come from your local area code and prefix.
Call Filter Plus (Paid Version): For a monthly fee ($3.99 per line or $10.99 for 3+ lines), Call Filter Plus offers enhanced features. These include Caller Name ID (identifying unknown numbers), a personal block list for numbers you want to block, a spam risk meter to assess incoming calls, and expanded blocking options for categories like telemarketers, political calls, and surveys. Eligible customers often get a 15-day free trial of Call Filter Plus.
Downloading and Setting Up the App
Download:
For Android users, search for "Verizon Call Filter" on the Google Play Store.
For iPhone users, search for "Verizon Call Filter" on the Apple App Store.
Install and Open: Once downloaded, open the app. You'll likely be prompted to log in with your My Verizon account credentials.
Grant Permissions: The app will require certain permissions to function correctly (e.g., access to your call history). Grant these permissions.
Customizing Your Call Filter Settings
After installation, it's crucial to customize the settings to maximize protection.
Spam Filter Settings: The app typically defaults to blocking "high-risk" spam calls. You can adjust this setting to be more aggressive, for example, by blocking all identified spam calls or sending them straight to voicemail.
Personal Block List: With Call Filter Plus, you can create a personal block list to add specific numbers you want to block. This is ideal for numbers that repeatedly slip through other filters.
Neighborhood Filter: Ensure this is activated. Spammers often use "neighborhood spoofing" where they make their number appear similar to yours to trick you into answering. This feature helps combat that.
Spam Reporting: Make it a habit to report numbers that are clearly spam. This helps Verizon's algorithm improve and protect other users. You can usually do this directly from your call log within the app.
Step 2: Utilize Built-in Phone Blocking Features
Beyond Verizon's specific app, your smartphone itself has valuable tools for managing unwanted calls.
Blocking Individual Numbers
This is a quick and effective way to deal with persistent callers.
On iPhone:
Open your "Phone" app.
Go to "Recents".
Tap the information icon (i) next to the number you want to block.
Scroll down and tap "Block this Caller".
On Android: (Steps may vary slightly by device manufacturer and Android version)
Open your "Phone" app.
Tap on the number in your call history.
Look for options like "Block", "Block/report spam", or a three-dot menu icon (⋮) that will reveal a "Block" option.
Silencing Unknown Callers (iPhone & Android)
This feature sends calls from numbers not in your contacts straight to voicemail. While very effective, it can also send legitimate calls from new contacts or businesses to voicemail, so use with caution.
On iPhone:
Go to "Settings".
Scroll down and tap "Phone".
Tap "Silence Unknown Callers" and toggle it on.
On Android: (Steps may vary)
Open your "Phone" app.
Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) or "Settings".
Look for "Block numbers", "Call blocking", or "Spam and Call Screen".
Enable the option to "Block unknown numbers" or "Silence calls from unknown callers."
Step 3: Register with the National Do Not Call Registry
The National Do Not Call Registry is a government-managed database designed to reduce unwanted telemarketing calls.
What the Do Not Call Registry Does (and Doesn't Do)
Does Do: It aims to stop legitimate telemarketing calls from companies you don't have an established business relationship with. After you register, it generally takes about 31 days for your number to be fully removed from telemarketing lists.
Doesn't Do: It does not stop calls from political organizations, charities, companies with whom you have an existing business relationship (unless you specifically tell them to stop), or illegal scammers who disregard the registry. This is why other blocking methods are still essential.
How to Register Your Number
Online: Visit the official website: www.donotcall.gov
Click on "Register Your Phone".
Enter up to three phone numbers you wish to register and your email address.
Submit your registration.
Important: You'll receive a confirmation email. You must open this email and click the link within 72 hours to complete your registration.
By Phone: Call 1-888-382-1222 (voice) or 1-866-290-4236 (TTY) from the phone number you wish to register.
Step 4: Be Wary of Your Actions
Sometimes, how we interact with calls can inadvertently encourage more spam.
Don't Engage with Spam Callers
Don't answer unknown numbers. If it's important, they'll leave a voicemail.
Don't press any numbers. If an automated call tells you to "press 1 to speak to an agent" or "press 9 to be removed from our list," do not press anything. This confirms that your number is active and you're willing to engage, potentially leading to more calls.
Don't speak. Even saying "hello" can flag your number as active to robocallers.
Don't Confirm Personal Information
Never provide personal details like your name, address, date of birth, social security number, or financial information to unknown callers, even if they claim to be from a legitimate organization. If in doubt, hang up and call the organization back using their official, published number.
Be Careful with Online Forms and Surveys
Many spam calls originate from numbers you've provided on websites, online surveys, or contest entries. Be selective about where you provide your phone number.
Step 5: Report Spam Calls to Verizon and the FTC
Reporting spam calls is crucial. It helps authorities and service providers identify patterns and take action against illegal robocallers.
Reporting Through the Call Filter App
As mentioned in Step 1, the Verizon Call Filter app often allows you to report numbers directly from your call log or within the app's interface. This feeds directly into Verizon's spam detection algorithms.
Reporting to Verizon Directly
You can also report suspected spam calls and texts to Verizon by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM).
For Calls: If you receive a spam call, simply forward the call (if your phone allows) or manually create a new text message.
For Texts: Forward the entire spam text message to 7726. You'll usually receive a reply asking for the sender's number. Reply with that number.
Reporting to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
The FTC collects complaints about unwanted calls, which helps them investigate and prosecute illegal robocallers.
Visit the FTC's complaint assistant website: reportfraud.ftc.gov
Provide as much detail as possible about the call, including the number that called you, the date and time, and what the call was about.
Step 6: Consider Third-Party Call Blocking Apps
While Verizon's Call Filter is powerful, some users find additional protection with third-party apps.
When to Use Third-Party Apps
If you still receive a significant number of unwanted calls after implementing Verizon's Call Filter and other methods.
If you're looking for advanced features not offered by Verizon's app (e.g., community-driven spam lists, personalized blocking rules).
Popular and Reputable Options
Some well-known third-party apps include:
Nomorobo: Offers robocall blocking for both mobile and landline phones. It has won FTC contests for its effectiveness.
RoboKiller: Uses advanced technology to identify and block robocalls and even answers some spam calls with pre-recorded messages to waste the scammer's time.
Hiya: Often pre-installed on some Android phones, it offers spam detection and caller ID.
YouMail: Provides spam call blocking and visual voicemail with transcripts, helping you quickly identify if a voicemail is legitimate.
Always research and read reviews before downloading any third-party app, as some may collect more data than you're comfortable with.
Step 7: Proactive Network-Level Blocking (Landlines)
If you have a Verizon Fios home phone (landline), there are specific network features you can utilize:
*Anonymous Call Rejection (77): Dial *77 from your Fios home phone. This feature blocks incoming calls that have "Anonymous," "Private," or "Unavailable" in the Caller ID. You can deactivate it by dialing *87.
*Call Blocking (60): Dial *60 from your Fios home phone to activate or deactivate your Call Block list. You can add specific numbers to this list.
*Do Not Disturb (78): Dial *78 to activate Do Not Disturb, sending all calls to a pre-recorded message or voicemail. Dial *79 to deactivate. This can also be managed through My Verizon for scheduled Do Not Disturb times.
International Call Block: You can block international calls through your My Verizon account by navigating to Account Manager > Administration > International Call Block.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to use Verizon Call Filter?
Download the Verizon Call Filter app from your phone's app store, log in with your My Verizon credentials, and then customize your settings to block or send spam calls to voicemail based on risk level.
How to block a number on Verizon directly from my phone?
Open your phone's native "Phone" app, go to your "Recents" or call history, tap the information icon (iPhone) or the number itself (Android), and select "Block this Caller" or a similar blocking option.
How to register for the National Do Not Call Registry?
Visit www.donotcall.gov online and follow the steps to register your phone number, or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you wish to register. Remember to confirm your registration via email.
How to report a spam call to Verizon?
Forward the spam text message to 7726 (SPAM) or use the reporting feature within the Verizon Call Filter app.
How to identify if a call is spam on Verizon?
Verizon's Call Filter app will often display alerts like "Spam Risk," "Potential Fraud," or "Robocaller" on your incoming call screen.
How to stop spoofed calls on Verizon?
Activate the "Neighborhood Filter" within the Verizon Call Filter app, which is designed to block calls that appear similar to your own phone number but are actually spoofed.
How to get Call Filter Plus for free?
Verizon often offers eligible customers a 15-day free trial of Call Filter Plus. After the trial, you'll need to subscribe to continue using the paid features.
How to tell if a call is from Verizon customer service?
Legitimate calls from Verizon will usually clearly identify themselves, and they will never ask for sensitive information like your full social security number or account password over the phone. If in doubt, hang up and call Verizon's official customer service number.
How to manage blocked numbers on Verizon?
You can manage your blocked numbers through the Verizon Call Filter app's personal block list, or through your My Verizon account settings under "Call & Message Blocking."
How to unblock a number on Verizon?
In the Verizon Call Filter app, go to the "Block" menu, find the number in your "Blocked" list, tap on it, and select "Unblock number."