How to Stop Annoying Spam Calls
If you’re on Medicare, or helping a loved one who is, you’ve probably noticed one thing: the spam calls never stop.
From fake insurance offers to “urgent” robocalls, scammers tend to target older adults more aggressively. The good news? There are ways to reduce these calls and protect yourself.
Let’s walk through simple, practical steps.
1. Get on the National Do Not Call Registry
The first step is adding your number to the official Do Not Call Registry.
How to do it:
Or call 1-888-382-1222(from the phone you want to register)
What it does:
Stops legitimate telemarketers from calling you
Does NOT stop scammers (they ignore the law)
Still worth doing since it cuts down a big portion of unwanted calls.
2. Understand This Important Truth
Even after registering, you may still get calls.
Why?
Scammers use fake numbers (called “spoofing”)
They often operate outside the U.S.
They don’t follow the rules
So think of the registry as a first layer of protection, not a complete solution.
3. Block Spam Calls on Your Phone
On iPhone:
Go to Settings
Tap Phone
Turn on Silence Unknown Callers
This sends unknown numbers straight to voicemail.
On Android:
Open the Phone app
Tap the three dots (menu)
Go to Settings > Block numbers
Turn on Block unknown/private numbers
4. Use Built-In Carrier Protection (Free!)
Most phone carriers offer free spam filters:
AT&T: ActiveArmor
Verizon: Call Filter
T-Mobile: Scam Shield
These automatically detect and label suspicious calls like:
“Spam Risk”
“Scam Likely”
5. Never Engage with Spam Callers
This is key.
Don’t press buttons
Don’t say “yes”
Don’t call them back
Even answering can signal:
“This is a real, active number-call again”
6. Watch for Medicare Related Scams
Scammers LOVE using Medicare as a hook.
Be cautious if someone:
Offers “free braces”, gift cards, or money
Asks for your Medicare number right away
Says your benefits are “expiring”
Medicare will NOT call you out of the blue asking for personal info.
Final Thoughts:
Spam calls are frustrating, but with a few simple steps, you can dramatically reduce them.
If you’re helping a parent or loved one:
Set this up for them
Walk them through what to ignore
Reassure them that it’s okay to hang up
Need Help With Medicare (Without the Spam)?
As The Medicare Mom, I’ll never cold-call you or pressure you. If you ever get a call “from Medicare,” it’s worth double-checking.
Feel free to reach out the safe way, on your terms.
Your peace of mind matters just as much as your coverage.