How can I keep my phone number private?

Phone scams are increasingly common. This is why it is important not to hand over your phone number to too many different companies, as you don't know who else they will share it with. Here are some general guidelines:

• Do not provide your phone number to companies unless you really have to
• To prevent unknown marketing companies from calling you on either your cell phone or home phone, register your phone with the National Do Not Call Registry — it's free and registration never expires. You can also call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register
• Note: the Do Not Call Registry stops calls from legitimate companies, but not from scammers — so additional steps below are still important
• Block unknown phone numbers from scam callers using the steps below

To block phone numbers and silence unknown callers on your iPhone 

Block a specific number:

1. Open the Phone app
2. Tap Recents
3. Find the number and tap the ⓘ (info) icon
4. Scroll down and tap Block this Caller

Silence all unknown callers automatically (recommended):

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Phone
2. Tap Silence Unknown Callers and turn it on — calls from numbers not in your contacts will go straight to voicemail

Manage blocked numbers:Go to Settings > Apps > Phone > Blocked Contacts

Full instructions: Screen and block calls on iPhone — Apple Support

To block phone numbers on Android / Samsung:

• Block calls on Samsung phones
• Block calls on Google Pixel / Android
• For other Android phones, check your device's user guide or the manufacturer's support website

Free spam protection from your carrier (all free — no fee required):

Most major carriers now offer free built-in spam blocking — no need to pay extra:

• Verizon — Call Filter (free spam detection included with your plan)
• AT&T — ActiveArmor (free automatic fraud blocking)
• T-Mobile — Scam Shield (free; you can also dial #662# to enable Scam Block instantly)

For a full list of carrier blocking tools, see the FCC Call Blocking Resources page.

Additional tips:

• Unless you are switching mobile carriers, it will be difficult to truly keep your phone number private
• Never press "1" to be removed from a call list during a robocall — this confirms your number is active and leads to more calls
• Do not return a call to a number you don't recognize that rang only once. This may be a "one ring" scam — where calling back connects you to an expensive international toll number. More information: FCC One Ring Scam Advisory
• You can report unwanted calls and phone scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or via the FTC Phone Scams page
• Forward suspicious text messages to 7726 (SPAM) — this works on most major carriers and helps them identify and block scammers