The most effective way to cut down “Scam Likely” calls is to combine your phone’s built‑in blocking features, your carrier’s spam‑blocking tools, and careful habits about which calls you answer. It usually can’t be stopped 100%, but you can make those calls rare and much less annoying.

Change phone settings

On both iPhone and Android you can silence or block unknown and suspicious numbers so they go straight to voicemail. This keeps the phone from ringing for most spam while still allowing real callers to leave a message.

• iPhone: use Settings → Phone → “Silence Unknown Callers” to send numbers not in your contacts or recent calls directly to voicemail.

• Android: many models have a “Spam protection” or “Caller ID & spam” option in the Phone app settings that can block or warn about suspected spam.

Use your carrier’s spam tools

Major carriers (like Verizon, AT&T, T‑Mobile and others) offer free or low‑cost spam blocking and “scam likely” labeling services. These use large databases of bad numbers and can automatically block or label calls before they reach you.

• Check your carrier’s app or website for features such as Scam Shield, Call Filter, or Call Protect and turn them on.

• Set the protection level to automatically block “high‑risk” spam and at least label “suspected spam” so you can ignore it.

Add a call‑blocking app

Third‑party call‑blocking apps create an extra filter using community reports and scam databases. They can silently drop known scam calls, send them to voicemail, or show a clear warning.

• Look for well‑reviewed spam‑blocking apps (such as Truecaller or RoboKiller‑type tools) in your app store and enable call blocking and caller ID features.

• In the app settings, choose whether flagged calls should be blocked completely or just silenced.

Change how you answer calls

The way you respond affects how often your number gets hit again. Scam and robocall systems mark numbers as “active” if someone picks up or presses any keys.

• Do not answer or interact with calls labeled “Scam Likely,” “Spam Risk,” or from numbers you don’t know; let them go to voicemail.

• If you accidentally answer and realize it’s a robocall or scam, hang up immediately and do not press any numbers or speak with them.

• Block the number after the call from your recent calls list so that specific caller cannot reach you again.

Register and report

Official reporting does not stop every scammer but helps reduce some legitimate telemarketing and supports enforcement against illegal robocallers. Adding your number to official “do not call” lists and reporting bad calls is a useful extra step.

• In the U.S., register your phone on the National Do Not Call Registry to cut down on legal sales calls.

• Report illegal robocalls and scam attempts to consumer protection agencies so their numbers can be added to blocking databases and targeted for enforcement.

If you tell what phone you use (iPhone or Android) and your carrier, a step‑by‑step setup tailored to your device and network can be outlined.