Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

Can "National Do Not Call Registry" Block Scam Calls?
Can National Do Not Call Registry Block Scam Calls?

The National Do Not Call Registry cannot block scam calls. The registry is designed to stop legitimate, law-abiding telemarketers from contacting you. Because scammers are already breaking the law, they completely ignore the registry rules and will continue to call you.

How to Actually Block Scammers

Since the registry does not actively block scam calls, you should use these methods instead:

  • Built-in phone tools: Enable options like "Silence Unknown Callers" on your iOS device or "Filter Spam Calls" on your Android device.
  • Carrier blocking services: Turn on free network-level spam filtering provided by your mobile carrier (such as AT&T Call Protect, Verizon Call Filter, or T-Mobile Scam Shield).
  • Third-party applications: Install dedicated call-blocking apps like RoboKiller, Hiya, or Nomorobo to intercept known scam numbers.

What the Registry Does Cover

If you sign up for free at the FTC National Do Not Call Registry, it will only stop sales calls from legitimate businesses. Legally, the registry is also required to exempt:

  • Political organizations
  • Non-profit charities
  • Debt collection agencies
  • Telephone survey companies

If your number has been registered for more than 31 days and you still receive unwanted sales pitches from real companies, you can file a complaint directly on the FTC Report Fraud Portal.

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