How to Block Scam Calls on iPhone and Android for Seniors

Why Seniors Receive More Scam Calls Than Anyone Else

Scammers don't choose elderly targets by accident. Phone number lists compiled from public records, sweepstakes entries, charity donations, and data breaches are openly bought and sold on criminal marketplaces. Seniors appear on these lists at higher rates because many have participated in phone-based surveys, charity drives, and sweepstakes over the decades — each interaction potentially adding their number to another database.

Beyond data exposure, scammers know that older adults are statistically more likely to answer calls from unknown numbers. Many grew up in an era when ignoring a ringing phone simply wasn't done. Combine that with the fact that a significant portion of elder fraud occurs over the phone, and you understand why scammers concentrate their efforts here. The average victim of a phone scam loses over $1,400 — and repeat victimization is common once a number is flagged as "responsive."

The most effective defense isn't teaching seniors to recognize every scam technique — it's preventing the calls from reaching them in the first place.

Blocking Scam Calls on iPhone

Silence Unknown Callers

Apple introduced a built-in feature called Silence Unknown Callers that sends any number not in your contacts, Mail, or Messages straight to voicemail without ringing. To enable it, open Settings, tap Phone, then toggle on Silence Unknown Callers. The call will still appear in your recent calls list, and legitimate callers can leave a voicemail. This single setting eliminates the vast majority of scam calls at zero cost.

The tradeoff worth mentioning: if your parent regularly receives calls from doctors, pharmacies, or services that aren't already in their contacts, those will also go to voicemail. The solution is to proactively add important numbers — their doctor's office, pharmacy, utility company — to the contacts list.

Carrier-Level Blocking — All Free

Every major US carrier now offers free scam-blocking tools that work at the network level, stopping calls before they ever reach the device:

• AT&T Call Protect — Free app available in the App Store. Automatically blocks fraud calls and labels suspected spam.
• Verizon Call Filter — Free tier available; $2.99/month upgrade adds caller ID. Download from the App Store and activate through your Verizon account.
• T-Mobile Scam Shield — Free for all T-Mobile customers. Open the App Store, search Scam Shield, and install. Includes scam-likely labels and optional scam block.

If you're unsure which carrier your parent uses, look at their monthly phone bill or check Settings > General > About > Carrier on their iPhone.

Blocking Scam Calls on Android

Built-In Spam Protection

If your parent uses a relatively recent Android phone (2019 or newer), open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu in the top right, and select Settings. Look for Spam and Call Screen or Caller ID & Spam — the label varies by manufacturer. Turn on both "Filter spam calls" and "See caller and spam ID." This is free and built directly into the device.

On Google Pixel phones, the Call Screen feature can also automatically answer suspected spam calls and display a real-time transcript, letting your parent see what the caller says without ever picking up.

Google Phone App

If your parent's Android doesn't have the latest Phone app, download the Google Phone app from the Play Store. It's free and brings Google's spam-detection database to any compatible Android device. Once installed, it becomes the default calling app and automatically flags suspected scam numbers.

Third-Party Apps

Two free apps are worth installing on any Android phone:

• Hiya — Free, identifies spam and fraud calls, works in the background. Available on Google Play.
• Nomorobo — Free for mobile, blocks robocalls using a continuously updated database of known scam numbers.

The National Do Not Call Registry

The FTC's National Do Not Call Registry (donotcall.gov) is worth registering with, though it comes with an important caveat: it only stops legitimate telemarketers who follow the rules. Actual scammers ignore it entirely. Registering does reduce the volume of legal telemarketing calls, which can help clarify that any remaining unknown calls are more likely fraudulent. Registration is permanent and free — call 1-888-382-1222 from the number you want to register, or visit the website.

What to Tell Seniors About Calls They Do Receive

Even with blocking in place, some scam calls will get through. Make sure your parent understands these rules:

• Never give personal information to someone who called you. The IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, and your bank will never demand personal details in an unsolicited call.
• If a caller claims to be from a company you trust, hang up and call back on the verified number. Look up the number on the company's official website, not one provided by the caller.
• Urgency is a manipulation tactic. Any caller who says you must decide now, pay immediately, or face arrest is running a scam. Legitimate organizations don't operate this way.

Creating a "Safe Callers" System

One practical approach that works well for seniors is building a contacts shortlist — a group of 10 to 20 numbers that are definitely safe: family members, close friends, their doctor, pharmacy, and regular service providers. With Silence Unknown Callers or equivalent blocking enabled, only these numbers will ring through. Everyone else goes to voicemail.

Set this up together during a visit. Go through the contacts list, add any important numbers that are missing, and explain the system. Knowing that family calls will always get through removes the anxiety some seniors feel about missing important calls.

The most effective scam call defense is one your parent doesn't have to think about. Automated blocking tools work silently, 24 hours a day, without requiring any decision-making from the person being protected.

Putting It All Together

For an iPhone-using parent, the best setup is: Silence Unknown Callers turned on, the carrier's free blocking app installed, and a complete contacts list. For Android, enable built-in spam protection, install Hiya or Nomorobo, and apply the same contacts approach. Both setups take under 15 minutes to configure and require no ongoing maintenance.

Phone scam blocking is a critical first line of defense, but scammers increasingly shift to online channels — fake websites, phishing emails, and fraudulent pop-ups — when phone calls don't work. Pairing call blocking with browser-level protection ensures your parent is covered across all the ways scammers try to make contact.

For guidance on one of the most common phone scams targeting seniors, see our article on IRS phone scams. And if you're concerned about the grandparent scam specifically, read our complete guide to recognizing and stopping grandparent scams.