How to block and report scam texts and calls

▶ Pick your device and tap to watch:

iPhoneabout 1 minAndroidabout 1 min

Block the number, report the junk and filter unknown senders on iPhone and Android.

⏱ About 5 minutes · 5 steps · ▶ 2 videos
What you'll need
  • Your iPhone or Android phone

  1. Don't reply or tap links

    Don't answer, don't tap links and don't reply “STOP” to a text you think is a scam. If it might be real, contact the company using a number or website you already trust, not the one in the message.

  2. Report the text

    Reporting helps your phone and carrier catch the next one.

    📱 iPhone / iPad: In Messages, open the text and tap Report Spam (or swipe left on it in the list), then Delete and Report Spam.

    🤖 Android: In Google Messages, touch and hold the conversation, then tap Block and check Report spam. Samsung Messages has a similar Block option.

    In the U.S. you can also forward scam texts to 7726 (it spells SPAM) to alert your carrier.

  3. Block the number

    Reporting doesn't always block. To stop calls and texts from that number:

    📱 iPhone / iPad: In the Phone app, tap Recents, tap the number (or the info button), scroll down and tap Block Caller. In Messages, tap the name at the top of the chat to find the same option.

    🤖 Android: In the Phone app, open your call history, tap the call, then Block / report spam. Menu names vary by phone maker and software version. These steps were checked against official help pages in October 2026; if you don't see a label, search for it in your phone's Settings.

  4. Filter unknown senders and callers

    Cut down on the noise from numbers you don't know.

    📱 iPhone / iPad: In Messages, tap Filters > Manage Filtering and turn on Screen Unknown Senders. For calls, go to Settings > Apps > Phone and look for call screening or Silence Unknown Callers.

    🤖 Android: In the Phone by Google app, go to Settings > Caller ID & spam and turn on spam filtering. Many Android phones also offer Call Screen.

    💡 Tip: filters can hide real calls from doctors or deliveries. Save important numbers in your contacts so they always ring through.

  5. Tell the FTC

    If you lost money or shared information, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and contact your bank right away. Adding your number to the free National Do Not Call Registry (donotcall.gov) stops many legitimate sales calls, though scammers ignore it.

🎉 All done!

Practice spotting fakes in Scam or Legit?, and learn how scammers fake caller ID.

Got a panicked call from a “grandchild”? Read AI voice-clone scams.

Related game: Scam or Legit?. Related explainer: What is phishing, and how do I spot it? .

Official help pages

Steps checked against these pages in October 2026. If a button looks different, look for a similar label.