How many spam calls do you get in a week? If you have started ignoring all unknown numbers, you have probably also missed a real one somewhere. There is a better setup.

Turn On Silence Unknown Callers

Both iPhone and Android have a version of this. Instead of ringing, unknown numbers go straight to voicemail. Your phone stays quiet, and genuine callers leave a message. Robocalls almost never do.

• iPhone: Settings, then Phone, then Silence Unknown Callers.
• Android: it depends on the phone, but look in Phone settings for call screening or spam protection.

Add Carrier Level Filtering

Your carrier already has a free call blocking service in most cases. It filters numbers reported as spam before they even reach your phone. Log into your carrier account and turn it on. It is free and most people never activate it.

Keep Your Number Out of Circulation

• Do not answer and then hang up. Answering confirms your number is live and it gets sold on.
• Do not press a number to be removed from a robocall list. It does the opposite.
• Do not enter your number in random online forms. That is where most of this starts.
• Register with the Do Not Call list. It will not stop scammers, but it cuts legitimate telemarketing.

I still get the occasional one from a spoofed local number, but I went from five or six a day to maybe one a week. Any real caller can leave voicemail, and they always do.