How to stop scam calls, AI voice scams and cold sales calls

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If the phone is ringing right now

You do not have to settle a money request during an incoming call. Put the phone down before deciding what to do. If someone claims to be your bank, open the banking app you normally use or call the number on your card. For a family emergency, call your relative on their saved number. These are the independent checks recommended in the FBI’s advice on AI fraud.

Do not send a payment while you are trying to work out who is speaking. Write down what they asked for, then ask a trusted person to help you check it. Make that your plan before the next urgent call, so you do not have to invent a response under pressure.

Choose the guide that fits your call

• How do I stop fake Google Business listing calls to my business? Check a removal threat without paying the caller.
• How do I protect my elderly parents from scam calls? Make a family plan together and review free phone tools.
• What should I do if a caller sounds exactly like my family member? Use a code word and an independent callback.
• How do I stop cold sales calls and robocalls to my small business? Reduce interruptions while keeping a way for new customers to reach you.
• Where do I report a scam call in the US? Choose the right official reporting form and collect useful details.

Start with free call protection

On iPhone, look in Settings > Apps > Phone. Depending on your software, look for Silence Unknown Callers or the newer Screen Unknown Callers options. Apple’s current choices include Ask Reason for Calling and Silence. Apple explains the options; save important contacts and check voicemail when silencing unknown numbers.

On Android using Phone by Google, look for Caller ID & spam protection in the Phone app settings. Supported Pixel phones also offer Call Screen. Follow Google’s spam settings and Pixel Call Screen instructions for your device; availability varies.

Ask your carrier about free basic protection: T-Mobile Scam Shield, Verizon Call Filter or AT&T ActiveArmor. Check eligibility and choose the free level before accepting any paid upgrade.

Know what these tools can and cannot do

The FTC’s Do Not Call guide explains that registration is free for personal numbers, does not block calls and will not stop scammers. Business numbers are not covered. Treat registration as one step for a personal line, alongside screening and checking unexpected requests.

The scale is serious: the FTC reported on 15 June 2026 that people reported losing $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025. Nearly one in three fraud reports involved impersonation. Those figures cover several contact methods, not just phone calls. Read the FTC’s release.

A familiar voice still needs a check

The FTC warns that a short recording can be used to copy a loved one’s voice. Agree on a private family code word and always call back using a number saved before the call. A caller’s claim to be a relative is a reason to check, not a reason to rush.

In February 2024, the FCC confirmed that AI-generated human voices fall under the TCPA’s artificial or prerecorded voice restrictions. Consent requirements and exemptions still apply. That ruling does not mean every call using an AI voice is illegal.

Questions people ask

Can I stop every scam call for free?

Free phone and carrier tools are a useful starting point, but keep checking unexpected requests independently. The FTC’s call-blocking guide explains the different tools and their limits.

What if I already sent money?

Contact the bank or payment provider immediately and ask whether the payment can be stopped or reversed. Follow the FTC’s recovery steps, then use our reporting guide.