How to stop spam calls on Cricket
Cricket’s spam filter is Cricket Call Defense, free on all Cricket plans with an eligible phone: it warns you about likely spam callers and blocks callers likely to be fraudulent. Cricket usually turns it on when you activate; to check, open the myCricket app, tap the gear icon, pick your line, then Call Defense.
Warnings show only in HD Voice coverage, and a scammer on a faked number still rings. Vicem is an AI on its own number: it answers the Cricket calls you miss, says it’s an AI, and turns scam callers away.
Updated Checked on October 14, 2026
What does Cricket offer against spam calls?
- Cricket Call Defense: Cricket’s network warns you about likely spam callers and automatically blocks callers likely to be fraudulent.Cricket support, Cricket Call Defense
- Warnings say what kind of nuisance call it is, such as spam, telemarketer, political or survey.Cricket support, Cricket Call Defense
- It checks calls with STIR/SHAKEN, so you can tell whether a caller outside your contacts is on a faked (spoofed) number.Cricket support, Cricket Call Defense
- Call Defense also filters out known fraud texts.Cricket support, Cricket Call Defense
- Cricket is on the AT&T network, but its own help names Call Defense as its spam protection, so AT&T’s steps aren’t Cricket’s.Cricket Wireless, home pageCricket support, Cricket Call Defense
How do I turn on Cricket Call Defense?
- For most customers, Cricket turns on Call Defense for you when you activate service.Cricket support, Cricket Call Defense
- To check or change it, log in to the myCricket app and tap the gear icon at the top right to open Account Settings.Cricket support, Cricket Call Defense
- On an account with more than one line, pick the line.Cricket support, Cricket Call Defense
- Under Line Settings, tap Call Defense and switch the toggle on.Cricket support, Cricket Call Defense
- Cricket says the change takes effect in near real time.Cricket support, Cricket Call Defense
Is Cricket Call Defense free?
- Yes. Cricket calls Call Defense a free feature included with all rate plans on eligible devices (read on October 14, 2026).Cricket support, Cricket Call Defense
- Cricket’s plan features list it as spam warnings and a fraud call blocker on a compatible phone.Cricket support, Plan features
- Cricket’s Call Defense page lists no paid version.Cricket support, Cricket Call Defense
How do I block one number on Cricket?
- Cricket’s Call Defense page lists no personal block list, so block a single number in your phone’s own settings.Cricket support, Cricket Call Defense
- A call that rings once and stops: Cricket says don’t call back, because calling may cost you, often at international rates.Cricket support, Customer awareness: well-known frauds and scams
- Forward spam texts to 7726. Cricket sends a confirmation, then asks you for the number or email address that sent it.Cricket support, Fraud: blocking unwanted calls and text messages
What still gets through on Cricket?
- Cricket says you get call warnings only in an HD Voice coverage area, with Call Defense turned on.Cricket support, Cricket Call Defense
- Cricket warns that scammers can change the number on caller ID and then ask for account details: hang up, and call the company back on a number from a trusted source.Cricket support, Customer awareness: well-known frauds and scams
- The FCC: depending on your phone company, a blocked call may go straight to voicemail, ring once, or give you “no notice at all.”FCC, Call Blocking Tools and Resources
- Faked numbers: the FTC says “Scammers can make any name or number show up on your caller ID,” so a scam call from a clean or local-looking number still rings.FTC, Phone Scams
Can I use Cricket Call Defense with Vicem?
Yes. Keep Call Defense on and keep your Cricket number.
- Once you forward missed calls to Vicem, calls that ring and you don’t answer go to Vicem.
- On Cricket, dial **21*, then 1 and the 10-digit number, then # to forward every call. To forward only the calls you miss, dial **004*, then the number, then #. Dial ##004# to turn off forwarding of missed calls, or ##002# to turn off every forward, the every-call one too.
- Call forwarding comes with every Cricket plan at no extra cost.Cricket support, Plan features
- Cricket doesn’t forward to numbers outside the US.Cricket support, International long distance FAQs
- Set Screen Unknown Callers to Silence and turn off Live Voicemail, so the calls your iPhone silences reach Vicem.
- On a Pixel, turn off automatic screening and Take a Message if calls don’t reach Vicem: Google says screened calls aren’t forwarded, and a call Take a Message answers counts as answered.Google, Phone app Help: Call ScreenGoogle, Phone app Help: Take a Message
Where does Vicem fit?
Vicem is an AI with its own number. It answers the calls you miss, says it’s an AI, and turns scam callers away.
- Junk calls and texts are handled without interrupting you.
- Spam calls it turns away never count against your minutes.
- Works when your phone is off.
- Vicem costs from $24 a month, your own number included. Free for 3 days.
What do people ask?
Is Cricket Call Defense free?
Yes. Cricket includes it with all rate plans on eligible phones (Cricket, October 14, 2026).
How do I turn on spam blocking on Cricket?
It’s usually on from the day you activate. To check, open the myCricket app, tap the gear icon, choose your line, then Call Defense under Line Settings, and switch it on.
Why don’t I see spam warnings on Cricket?
Cricket says warnings need HD Voice coverage and Call Defense switched on. Check the switch in the myCricket app.
Will the Do Not Call Registry stop scam calls?
No. The FTC says it won’t stop scammers making illegal calls. It stops sales calls from companies that follow the law, so it still cuts some of the noise.