Understanding Spam Calls and Why They're a Problem
Spam calls have become one of the most common complaints among phone users in the United States. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Americans received approximately 3.7 billion robocalls in 2023 alone. These unwanted calls range from marketing pitches to scams attempting to steal personal information or money. Verizon customers, like all mobile users, face exposure to these calls daily.
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Spam calls work in several ways. Some use automated systems called robocalls to dial thousands of numbers simultaneously, playing pre-recorded messages about products, services, or fake emergencies. Others involve real people calling from call centers, often located overseas, targeting victims with schemes like fake IRS claims, technical support scams, or prize notifications. Scammers frequently use technology to mask their real phone number, making it appear as though the call comes from a local number or even your own number—a practice called spoofing.
The impact of spam calls extends beyond mere annoyance. Studies show that spam calls cost consumers billions of dollars annually through fraud and scams. Beyond financial loss, these calls create stress and anxiety, particularly for older adults who are often targeted more frequently. They interrupt work, family time, and important activities. Some people become hesitant to answer their phones at all, which can mean missing legitimate calls from doctors, schools, or family members.
Understanding the scope and nature of spam calls helps you take the problem seriously and motivates action. Verizon offers several built-in tools and methods to reduce the number of unwanted calls reaching your phone. Learning about these options puts you in control of your calling experience.
Practical takeaway: Recognizing that spam is a widespread issue affecting millions of people validates your frustration and demonstrates that taking steps to block these calls is a worthwhile investment of your time.
Verizon's Built-In Call Filter Features
Verizon provides a service called Call Filter that works on most of its network. This service uses advanced technology to identify and block unwanted calls before they reach your phone. Call Filter analyzes incoming calls against a database of known spam and scam numbers, as well as patterns that indicate fraudulent activity. The service operates in the background without requiring you to do much—Verizon handles most of the filtering automatically.
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There are two versions of Call Filter available to Verizon customers. The standard version, called Call Filter Basic, comes at no extra cost. This version blocks most spam calls automatically and alerts you if a call is suspected spam. It also gives you the option to report spam numbers yourself, which contributes to Verizon's database and helps protect other customers. The enhanced version, Call Filter Plus, costs approximately $3.99 per line monthly and offers additional features like reverse number lookup, caller name identification, and the ability to create custom block lists.
To use Call Filter Basic, you typically don't need to do anything—it activates automatically on your account. However, you can access settings through the Verizon website or by dialing *611 from your Verizon phone to reach customer service. Once you're in the Call Filter settings, you can view blocked calls, adjust filtering sensitivity, and report numbers as spam. If you want to use Call Filter Plus, you would manage that through your Verizon bill or account.
The effectiveness of Call Filter depends on how well Verizon's database matches incoming calls against known spam patterns. While it catches many unwanted calls, it won't catch every single spam call, particularly new ones that haven't been identified yet or sophisticated scams using spoofed numbers. This is why Call Filter works best as part of a multi-layered approach to blocking spam.
Practical takeaway: Check your current Verizon account to confirm Call Filter Basic is active, and review the settings to understand which calls are being blocked and how to report new spam numbers you receive.
Using Your Phone's Native Call Blocking Features
Beyond Verizon's specific tools, both Android and iPhone devices include built-in call blocking and screening features that work independently of your carrier. These features operate on your phone itself, meaning they work across all carriers and provide an additional layer of protection on top of Verizon's Call Filter.
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For iPhone users, Apple includes a feature called Silence Unknown Callers. When this feature is turned on, calls from numbers not in your contacts, mail, or messaging apps are automatically silenced and sent to voicemail. This doesn't block the calls entirely—they still ring to voicemail—but it prevents unknown numbers from interrupting you with sound and vibration. To enable this, go to Settings, then Phone, and toggle on Silence Unknown Callers. Additionally, iPhone allows you to block specific numbers directly. When you receive a call from a number you want to block, end the call, tap the information icon next to that number, and select Block This Caller.
Android devices offer similar functionality, though the exact steps vary depending on your phone manufacturer and Android version. Most Android phones include a Call Screen or Call Filtering feature within the Phone app. You can typically access this through Phone Settings and look for options related to blocking, filtering, or screening. Google's Phone app, available on many Android devices, provides spam and scam detection that works similarly to iPhone's approach. Like iPhone, Android allows you to block individual numbers by opening the Phone app, finding the number in your call history or contacts, and selecting the option to block that caller.
One advantage of using your phone's native features is that they work regardless of which carrier provides your service. If you switch from Verizon to another carrier, these settings travel with you. They also provide direct control—you decide exactly which numbers to block and how aggressively to filter calls. The downside is that they require more manual effort than automatic carrier-level filtering, since you need to block numbers one at a time after you receive them.
Practical takeaway: Enable Silence Unknown Callers (iPhone) or the equivalent Android feature, then manually block specific spam numbers as you encounter them for enhanced protection beyond what Verizon provides.
Third-Party Apps for Advanced Spam Call Blocking
Beyond Verizon's built-in tools and your phone's native features, numerous third-party applications offer additional spam blocking capabilities. Popular options include TrueCaller, Nomorobo, RoboKiller, and Whoscall. These apps use different approaches to identify and block spam, often combining multiple detection methods including caller databases, machine learning algorithms, and community reporting from users worldwide.
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TrueCaller is one of the most widely used spam call blocking apps, with over 500 million users globally. The app works by comparing incoming calls against a massive database of known spam numbers maintained through crowdsourced reporting. It provides caller identification, showing you the name and business associated with a phone number, and automatically blocks calls from known spam sources. TrueCaller's free version handles basic blocking, while its premium version adds features like creating a personal whitelist, automatic call recording, and advanced filtering options.
Nomorobo takes a different approach by focusing specifically on robocalls. This service connects to your Verizon account and filters calls at the network level before they reach your phone. It works through a partnership with Verizon and some other carriers. Nomorobo maintains a constantly updated list of robocall numbers and blocks them automatically. One study from the Federal Trade Commission showed that Nomorobo blocked approximately 95% of robocalls in testing scenarios.
RoboKiller uses artificial intelligence to identify spam patterns and block calls proactively. Unlike apps that rely primarily on databases, RoboKiller analyzes call characteristics in real time to determine whether a call is likely spam. It also offers an interesting feature called Answer Bots, which automatically answers suspected spam calls with a recorded message, potentially discouraging the spammer from calling again.
When considering third-party apps, keep in mind that they vary in cost, effectiveness, and features. Some require access to your phone's contacts and call history to function. Review the permissions each app requests and read recent user reviews to understand its current performance. Many apps offer free trial periods, allowing you to test them before committing to paid subscriptions.
Practical takeaway: Research and test one or two third-party apps that align with your needs and privacy preferences, using free trial periods to evaluate whether the additional features justify the cost beyond what Verizon and your phone provide.