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Spam is unsolicited or unwanted contact; a scam is an attempt to steal money or information. Not every unwanted email, text, call, or piece of mail is fraudulent, but scammers use all of these channels. When an unexpected message asks you to click, pay, or share personal details, pause: don’t respond or use its links, verify the claim through a contact method you already trust, then block or filter it and report suspected fraud.
What counts as spam—and when is it a scam?
In everyday use, spam means unwanted contact. It may be ordinary marketing you did not ask for, junk mail, or a message intended to trick you. Phishing is a type of fraud in which a message is made to look legitimate so you will reveal personal or financial information. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) distinguishes the unwanted contact from the harmful intent: spam is not automatically a scam, but scammers use spam-like email, texts, and calls to reach people.
Common lures include fake package-delivery or unpaid-toll notices, bank or account alerts, prize claims, government impersonation, and social-media approaches designed to get money or information. A familiar-looking sender name or local phone number is not proof that the contact is genuine.
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What should you do when an unexpected message arrives?
- Pause. Treat an unexpected request as unverified, especially if it creates urgency or asks for payment, a password, a verification code, or other personal information.
- Don’t click, reply, or disclose information. The FTC advises, “Don’t click on links in unexpected messages.” Do not use a phone number, reply address, or link supplied in the suspicious contact.
- Verify independently. If the alert might be real, open the organization’s known website yourself or call a number you already trust, such as one on a statement or official card. Check there whether action is needed.
- Block or filter the sender. Use your email provider’s junk controls or the phone’s available filtering and blocking features. These tools reduce unwanted contact but cannot guarantee that every scam will be caught.
- Report it through the right channel. Use your phone’s report-junk function or forward an unwanted text to 7726 (SPAM). Report suspected fraud to ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For unwanted calls when you have not lost money, the FTC directs consumers to DoNotCall.gov.
How do you handle spam in each channel?
- Keep your provider’s spam filter enabled and mark messages it misses as spam or junk.
- Unsubscribe only when the sender and unsubscribe route appear legitimate. The FTC recommends unsubscribing from unwanted email, but do not follow a link in a suspicious message; verify the sender independently first.
- Avoid unexpected links and attachments. For a message claiming to be from a bank, retailer, or public agency, visit the known website or call a known number rather than using contact details in the email.
- Forward unwanted email to your provider. Report suspected fraud to the FTC.
Text messages
- Use your phone’s filtering for unknown senders or blocking options if available. Don’t reply to an unexpected text, click its links, or provide account information.
- Treat package, toll, prize, and bank-alert stories as claims to verify—not as proof of a real problem. Contact the company or agency using details you already know.
- Use the phone’s report-junk feature or forward the text to 7726 (SPAM). Report suspected fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Texts can be an effective way for scammers to reach people: an April 2025 FTC alert cited a study in which text-message open rates could be as high as 98%. The FTC page did not identify the original study publisher, so this figure should not be read as an FTC measurement or as a universal rate.
#1 Best Overall
CPR V5000 Call Blocker for Landline Phones - You Can Manually Block All Calls with the Big Red Button - Pre-Programmed with 5,000 Known Nuisance Numbers - Caller ID is Required
- COMPATIBILITY: For traditional analog landline phones and services from providers such as AT&T, Verizon, Frontier Communications, CenturyLink, and Brightspeed. Not compatible with internet-based or digital phone services (VoIP), including Vonage, Ooma, Xfinity Voice, and Quantum Fiber.
- IMPORTANT: The V5000 CPR Call Blocker requires Caller ID service and an analog telephone line. Without Caller ID, incoming numbers cannot be identified or blocked. No mains power required - just plug it into your phone line and use.
- Powerful Blocking, Made Simple: Preloaded with 5,000 verified scam and nuisance numbers, the V5000 starts protecting you right out of the box. And if a new or spoofed number gets through, the large “BLOCK NOW” button makes it easy to instantly block it - up to 1,500 additional numbers at your command.
- Realistic & Reliable Protection: While no device can stop 100% of spam (scammers constantly change numbers), the V5000 gives you the power to shut down repeat offenders quickly and effectively - offering more control than passive filters alone.
- Hassle-Free Design: NO POWER supply needed, NO APP, and NO SUBSCRIPTIONS. The V5000 is easy to install, with a clear screen and loud button click for extra confidence. Designed with seniors in mind, it’s ready to use and simple to maintain. For even stronger protection, you can pair it with your phone provider’s spam filtering service.
Calls and robocalls
- Turn on call-blocking or call-labeling options offered by your phone or provider. Labels are predictions, not proof, and some scam calls will not be flagged.
- Caller ID can be spoofed, including to display a familiar local number or a government name. Hang up on suspicious calls and look up the organization’s number independently if you need to check a claim.
- The National Do Not Call Registry is intended to reduce sales calls from businesses that follow the rules; scammers may ignore those rules. Report unwanted calls through DoNotCall.gov. If you lost money or have useful information about a scam, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Postal junk mail
For U.S. marketing mail, the FTC points consumers to DMAchoice.org for marketing-mail preferences and OptOutPrescreen.com for prescreened credit and insurance offers. These services address particular kinds of marketing mail; they do not stop every piece of mail or prevent postal fraud.
How should you choose spam and call-blocking controls?
Start with controls already available in your email account, phone, or carrier service. If you consider an optional call-blocking app, compare it on the points that affect your situation rather than assuming one tool is best for everyone:
Rank #2
CPR V100K Call Blocker for Landline Phones - Requires Caller ID
- REDUCE UNWANTED CALLS & TAKE BACK CONTROL – The CPR V100K helps reduce unwanted spam, scam and robocalls on your landline. Known nuisance numbers in the preloaded database are blocked automatically, while new unwanted callers can be blocked at the touch of a button.
- 100,000 KNOWN NUISANCE NUMBERS PRELOADED – Includes a large database of known nuisance numbers for immediate protection. The database contains reported nuisance numbers from across the USA and is not a list of 100,000 numbers specific to your local area.
- BLOCK NEW CALLERS WITH ONE TOUCH – Scam callers frequently change or spoof their phone numbers, so no call blocker can stop every unwanted call automatically. When a new unwanted number gets through, simply press the large red BLOCK NOW button to prevent repeat calls from that number. Store up to 10,000 additional numbers.
- SIMPLE TO USE – NO APP OR SUBSCRIPTION – Connect the V100K to your compatible landline and start taking control of unwanted calls. No app, Wi-Fi, monthly subscription or external power supply required. The large display and tactile BLOCK NOW button make it particularly easy to use.
- IMPORTANT COMPATIBILITY INFORMATION – Requires an active Caller ID service. Designed for compatible traditional analog landline services. Not compatible with many internet-based or digital VoIP telephone services. Please check your telephone service before ordering.
- Coverage: Does it handle email, texts, calls, or only one channel?
- Action: Does it filter, block, label, or help report unwanted contact?
- Compatibility: Does it work with your device and carrier?
- Cost: Is there a fee for the features you need?
- Privacy: What permissions does it request? Some call-blocking apps may access your contacts, so review the app’s features and privacy policy.
Blocking can also prevent wanted calls from getting through. Review blocked numbers and filtering settings if an expected call disappears. No filter or blocking option is a substitute for independently checking an unexpected request.
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Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Sources and geographic scope
This guidance reflects U.S. FTC consumer information. Reporting routes, opt-out services, and applicable rules may differ in other countries.
Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 2
Bestseller No. 3
Best Value
Enf860 Call Blocker for Landline Phones, Blacklist/Whitelist Dual Mode, Block spam Calls by Number and Name
- [ IMPORTANT NOTE 1 ] This product is a call blocker only and does not have a telephone or answering machine function. No phone or answering machine is included in the package. Before purchasing, please make sure that your telephone line has Caller ID service and that it is an ANALOG line. the ENF860 requires Caller ID service from your telephone line provider to work and is for analog lines only ! No mains power required, just plug in the phone line to use
- [ IMPORTANT NOTE 2 ] In BLOCK mode, there will STILL BE some new variant numbers bypassing the database making the phone ring, you NEED to manually set up to block them OR switch to FAMILY mode to let only the numbers in FAMILY LIST through. Please refer to the manual for the CORRECT SETTINGS.
- Dual mode;In BLOCK mode you can block callers by Numbers and Names; In FAMILY mode all callers outside the FAMILY LIST are blocked;The two modes can be switched at any time as needed and NO data will be lost after switching modes.
- Preloaded with a large number of spam numbers that have been the subject of repeated complaints ; Users can also manually add 4000+ numbers to the NUMBER LIST to build their own database ; Add 256 NAMES to block calls by name.
- Blocks INTERNATIONAL, PRIVATE/WITHHELD, and Out of Area numbers by default; users can SET to block the entire area code or changing numbers starting with a fixed number, such as 00, 800, 855, 999, 7324, 33626, 134567, etc.
Rank #4
TelPal Call Blocker Box for Landline Phones with Caller ID Display, 4000 Number Capacity - to Block Hidden Numbers, Telemarketer Calls, Nuisance Calls, Hidden Numbers,Area Codes & Spam Calls
- This is the latest version Telephone Call Blocker with hidden or unavailable call numbers can be blocked. And there is no fees to use it; Please keep the manual for future use.
- Block up to 4000 individual phone numbers, including incoming and outgoing calls , prefixes and up to 10 digit area codes.
- One-touch to Block: Locate a number and then press Block to add it to the blacklist.Better set the call blocker in series ( one end of it connected to your phone and another end to the PSTN telephone line); Though it can also be set up parallel, but not compatible with some phone systems.
- Permanent storage of the numbers in the blacklist even power is off or telephone line is plugged out.
- Battery free: It is line powered, no need battery. And it works with almost all single line telephones. If you find some numbers are blocked but you never mean to, then press Block and check your blacklist, then delete those numbers which like area codes or prefix numbers.
Rank #3
Digitone ProSeries 3 Call Blocker Automatic SPAM Blocking for Landline Phones - Easy Setup One Button Blocking of RoboCalls
- How it Works: SPAM identified calls are instantly blocked automatically. Preferred Calls Ring through like normal with Caller ID displayed. Your phones connected to the TEL port Won't Ring on Blocked Calls. Create your own Invited or Allowed Family (White List) and block All other callers. Use the Dual Block Buttons to Block a NAME or NUMBER Displayed. Remote Block a Call when Dialing * 2 # through your telephone handset.
- The Patented ProSeries 3 Call Blocker from Digitone is an Easy Installation and is Simple to Use. No need to rush over and tap a red button when the ProSeries has already blocked a known unwanted SPAM, Out of Area, Private, Anonymous, 800 Service, ROBO?, Dashes, "Quotes" or V123+ call. Use Call History to select Any Caller to Block by (Double Tap) Name or Number. Block any NAME like: Unavailable, Unknown, SCAM RISK, City + State, Potential Scam, Wireless Caller. Block ANY call without answering, as they call in with either RED button.
- Feel confident that the ProSeries already Blocks Millions of Known Unwanted Numbers and Fake Names. No need to change your existing phones or service. Works with Any Analog Corded, Cordless Phone or Fax System on any telephone service. Large Back-Lighted Display. Got questions? Call the number on the front screen of the ProSeries 3.
- Works with all USA phone companies: AT&T, Cox, Spectrum, CenturyLink, Cable Modems, DSL, FIOS, or Digital Services from VoIP Telcos like [V] from Verizon, Ooma Telo, Ooma Basic, Vonage, Magic Jack etc. Also, works in Mexico, Canada, Brazil, European Union (ETSI), Australia, Singapore and others with North American standardized phone lines.
- Allow any blocked caller to ring through like normal with the Green Invite Button. Double Tap the Green Button to add VIP callers shown in Call History. Note: Caller ID Name and Number Service from your phone company is required for this model to work automatically.
- FTC: Dealing with spam texts, emails, and junk mail (updated January 28, 2025)
- FTC: Let’s talk about spam texts and emails (April 2024)
- FTC: How to Recognize and Report Spam Text Messages
- FTC: How To Block Unwanted Calls (July 9, 2023)
- FTC: Unwanted Calls and Text Messages
- FTC: Is that unexpected text a scam? (April 2025)
- FTC: How are scammers trying to reach you? (May 2026; the alert says more people reported scam contact by text than by any other method in the prior year, referring to FTC reports)
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
