How to Screen Your Calls (and Outsmart Scammers)

October 13, 2025

Keep the scammers guessing. Let the real calls through.

Phone scams are relentless: spoofed numbers that look legit, robo-calls that sound like a robot with an attitude, and impostors who try to rush you. The good news? Your phone now has new weaponry. Here’s how to use built-in screening on iPhone and Android, plus real-world tips and scripts so you can decide who gets through — and who gets the voicemail.

Quick truth you can use

Modern phones let you screen unknown calls (have a virtual assistant answer and transcribe) or silence unknown callers (send them to voicemail). Apple and Google both offer these tools.

What to do when a suspicious call gets through — scripts you can use

If you answer and the call seems off, use short, safe scripts. Keep it perfunctory — don’t confirm personal details.

“Who is this and what company are you with?” (if they hesitate or pressure you, hang up.)
“I don’t give personal info on the phone. Please send details in writing to my email.”
“I’ll call your company back at the number I find on their official website.” (Then actually look it up.)
If they ask yes/no questions: stay silent or say “I’m not interested,” then hang up.

If it’s someone trying to trick you into saying “yes” or “okay,” don’t respond to confirmatory prompts — scammers use voice confirmations. If in doubt, hang up and call back using a verified number. (Pro tip: scammers sometimes record “yes” to try to authorize charges.)

iPhone — how to screen and silence unknown callers (steps + quick tip)

Apple has added richer screening options that let unknown callers be handled automatically or asked to state their reason — with a transcription you can read before you pick up. To use the built-ins:

Open Settings → Apps → Phone.
Turn on Filter Unknown Callers / Screen Unknown Callers or Silence Unknown Callers depending on what iOS version and options you have. Unknown numbers can be sent to voicemail or asked to provide a reason which is transcribed. Apple Support+1

Quick tips:

Use Screen if you want a short transcript from unknown callers (super handy for delivery drivers or new service folks).
Use Silence Unknown Callers if you want peace — unknown numbers go straight to voicemail and won’t ring your phone. Legit callers will leave a message and you can call back from the voicemail if needed. Apple Support

Android (Pixel and most modern phones) — Call Screen & Call Assist

Google Pixel phones and many Android phones include a Call Screen or Call Assist feature that uses an on-device assistant to answer unknown calls and transcribe what the caller says.

How to turn it on (Pixel example):

Open the Phone app → More (three dots) → Settings → Spam and Call Screen (or Call Screen).
Turn on Call Screen and choose your protection level: manual or automatic screening for unknown/first-time callers or suspected spam. Google Store

Quick tips:

Set to automatic if you want heavy filtering (Pixel 7+ and similar can screen automatically).
If the assistant transcribes something suspicious, you can decline or send a canned reply without answering. blog.google

Reporting + blocking — help the whole neighborhood

Block the number on your phone and report it to your carrier or through your phone app if available.
Report scams to the FTC and your state consumer agency; carriers can use reports to block call patterns.

Final ScamFerret thought

Phone screening tools are like a good watchdog: they alert you, they bark at strangers, and they let the mail carrier in when you recognize the voice. But the real power is your gut + a three-line script: ask who, don’t share, hang up and verify.