Spam and scam calls in the US: what to do
Add your number to the free National Do Not Call Registry, turn on your phone company’s free scam filter, and report scam calls at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Hang up on anyone who asks for money, and call your bank back on the number on your card.
The registry stops sales calls from real companies within about 31 days. Scammers ignore it, and imposters took $3.5 billion from Americans in 2025, so the filter and the hang-up do most of the work.
How common are scam calls in the US?
- People in the US reported losing $15.9 billion to fraud in 2025, up from about $12 billion the year before.FTC, testimony to the Joint Economic Committee on fraud (March 25, 2026)
- Imposter scams were the most reported kind: nearly one in three fraud reports, and $3.5 billion lost.FTC, People reported losing $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025 (June 15, 2026)
- Bank impersonators took nearly $1 billion; government impersonators about $920 million, up from $789 million in 2024.FTC, People reported losing $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025 (June 15, 2026)
How do I stop sales calls in the US?
The National Do Not Call Registry is run by the FTC. It’s free, and your number stays on it for good.
- Go to DoNotCall.gov, or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to add.FTC, National Do Not Call Registry
- Sales calls from real companies should stop within about 31 days. The registration never expires.FTC, National Do Not Call Registry
- Scammers ignore the list, so keep your phone company’s filter on as well.FTC, National Do Not Call Registry
Where do I report a scam call?
- Report a scam call at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC “will never demand money, make threats, tell you to transfer money, or promise you a prize.”FTC, People reported losing $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025 (June 15, 2026)
- Report an unwanted sales call at DoNotCall.gov.FTC, National Do Not Call Registry
- The FCC oversees robocalls and the phone companies, and links to each company’s blocking tools.FCC, Call Blocking Tools and Resources
What do phone companies offer for free?
- AT&T includes ActiveArmor free with every wireless plan.AT&T, ActiveArmor
- Verizon includes Call Filter free on standard monthly and prepaid plans.Verizon, Call Filter questions
- T-Mobile has Scam Shield. The FCC lists each phone company’s tools in one place.FCC, Call Blocking Tools and Resources
Which scams are common right now?
Your bank’s “fraud team”
A caller says there’s fraud on your account and asks you to move money “to keep it safe” or to read out a code. Bank impersonators took nearly $1 billion in 2025.
FTC, People reported losing $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025 (June 15, 2026)The government or the police
Someone claims to be from Social Security, the IRS or the police and threatens arrest or a fine unless you pay now, often with gift cards or cryptocurrency.
FTC, Phone Scams (August 2023)FTC, People reported losing $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025 (June 15, 2026)A family member in trouble
A call in a relative’s voice says they need money right away. The FTC: a scammer needs only “a short audio clip of your family member’s voice” to copy it.
FTC, Scammers use AI to enhance their family emergency schemes (March 20, 2023)A prize you have to pay for
You’ve “won” something, but you have to pay a fee or taxes first to get it.
FTC, Phone Scams (August 2023)What should I say, and not say?
Say
- I’ll call you back on the number I already have.
- I don’t give out details on calls I didn’t make.
- Then hang up. You don’t owe a caller an explanation.
Don’t
- Don’t press a number “to be removed”: the FTC says it can lead to more calls.
- Don’t read out a code that was texted to you.
- Don’t pay with gift cards, a wire transfer or cryptocurrency because a caller asks.
- Don’t confirm your Social Security or account number.
Where does Vicem fit?
Vicem is an AI that answers your phone when you can’t, on its own number or on yours.
- It answers the calls you miss and turns away scam calls.
- It always tells callers it’s an AI.
- Works when your phone is off.
- Asks you before anything important.
- Anyone can check what it did.
- Robocalls, scam calls and silent calls Vicem screens out at the start never count against your minutes, nor do calls that fail on our side.
- It never gives a caller your details.
- You get a short summary of every call.
What it can’t do
- It answers only the calls you forward to it or that reach your Vicem number. Calls you pick up are yours.
- It doesn’t block or report numbers. Keep the register and your phone company’s filter on.
- Some phone companies charge for forwarded calls. Check yours before you turn it on.
- You can get a local Vicem number in the US.
Free for 14 days.
What do people ask?
Does the Do Not Call Registry stop scam calls?
No. It stops sales calls from real companies. Scammers ignore the list, the FTC says, so turn on your phone company’s filter too.
Where do I report a scam call in the US?
At ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Report unwanted sales calls at DoNotCall.gov.
What if I already paid a scammer?
Call your bank or card company right away on the number on your card, then report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.