Robocalls and spam texts are two of the most annoying things in this world, and they can seem almost impossible to stop. Being passive isn’t an option. If you try to ignore them, they just come in even harder.
Despite rumors that robocalls are dying out, the numbers say they’re on the rise. According to the YouMail Robocall Index, U.S. consumers received nearly five billion robocalls in April 2025, and the first four months of the year totalled 18.9 billion. That’s an 11.9% increase over the same period in 2024. And so far, in 2025, scam-related robocalls have accounted for over 35% of all robocalls – an increase of 30% from 2024.
Whether it’s a marketer or a scammer, here’s how to put an end to these annoying tactics.
1. Understand your legal rights
Most robocalls are illegal under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (TCPA), and depending on your specific situation, you might have the right to file a lawsuit against whoever keeps calling or texting you. But you need to contact a TCPA lawyer to find out if you have a case.
Under the TCPA, many robocalls made to cellphones require prior express written consent. If you haven’t consented, you might be able to pursue the issue in court. You can also file a complaint. Nearly half of all Americans admit to submitting complaints to their state’s Attorney General, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or the national registry. However, regulations and complaints don’t eliminate the problem. That’s why it’s crucial to talk to a TCPA attorney to find out if you have a case worth pursuing.
2. Implement device-level blocking strategies
Today’s devices have some built-in features like the iPhone’s “Silence Unknown Callers” and Android’s “Block private/unknown numbers” options. Turning these on will reduce the number of spam calls that get through.
Major carriers also offer call filtering and spam blocking services, sometimes free, but not always. These services monitor network patterns to identify spoofing and block junk. If that’s not enough, apps like RealCall and Truecaller can detect spam calls by looking up the number calling to identify it as spam or not.
These strategies can significantly reduce the number of unwanted robocalls and spam texts you get, but even these may not be enough to eliminate the problem.
3. Reduce vulnerability
No matter how good anti-spam tech is, some people will get around it. And in that case, certain behaviors can invite risk. Here’s how to reduce your vulnerability:
- Don’t answer or engage with unknown numbers. If you don’t recognize a number, let voicemail pick it up. Even if you’re able to press a key to opt out, you’ll be giving the spammer info that your number is active.
- Never click links or respond to unsolicited texts. Smishing – SMS-based phishing – is real. They’re usually targeted and well-disguised. Treat all unsolicited, unexpected text messages as suspect. And if an unsolicited text says to text back with a certain phrase to opt out, don’t respond – you don’t know what your response will trigger.
- Don’t give anyone your phone number for marketing purposes. Many businesses require a phone number to sign up for a discount, but don’t give in. It’s usually not that much of a deal anyway. Signing up for these discounts from companies that sell customer data might actually be the source of some spam.
While spam texts are annoying, they’re usually trying to harvest personal information. Make sure you’ve got two-factor authentication on your accounts just in case you accidentally make a mistake and fall for a scam.
4. Sign up for the national Do Not Call Registry
Add your home and cellphone numbers to the FTC’s Do Not Call Registry as soon as possible. It won’t block calls, but ethical businesses are supposed to use the list to ensure they don’t call people who have signed up.
What to do if you get hit anyway
Even with protections in place, nothing is guaranteed. When you do get hit by spam or robocalls, document the time, date, and details of the call if you answered or the voice message left. Report it to the FTC immediately and consider legal recourse if you qualify.
Take back control
Robocalls and spam texts aren’t going to disappear, but you don’t have to entertain them. With a few simple strategies – including ignoring calls altogether – you can avoid becoming a target for unwanted spam and shady hackers.
