How to Block Scam Likely Calls on Your Mobile Phone in 2024?

  • 6 mins read
Updated on February 20, 2024

If you are a proud T-Mobile, Metro, or Sprint user in the USA, you might have encountered a scam likely call on your mobile devices. You might have wondered what is scam likely, and how to block scam likely calls?

scam likely calls

Although this “Scam Likely” feature can only tell you the current call is potentially a fake call, there’s still a need for a permanent solution. All users, like you, get this feature by default. Moreover, if the caller tries to mimic any government entity and demands you pay for gift cards, tech support, etc. This message is automatically displayed on your mobile screen.

That said, is it safe to still pick up the call, or should we just ignore it? To know the answers to your queries, follow the write-up till the end.

How to Stop Scam Likely Calls: On Android?

Starting from the elephant in the room, we will first figure out how to block or stop receiving the scam-likely calls on your mobile phone. So, if you are an Android user:

  1. Open the phone call app, click on the 3-dot menu, and go to Settings.
    3dots
  2. Go to Caller ID & Spam and click on Filter Spam Calls.
    Caller id & Span

The Filter Spam Calls feature will effectively detect any potential spam or robocall and block it automatically without even disturbing you. So, now you know how to stop scam likely calls on Android mobile phones so that you stop getting these scam calls.

How to Stop Scam Likely Calls: On iOS?

If you are an iPhone user, you can learn how to block scam likely calls on iPhone by following these steps:

  1. Open the Settings on your device and go to Phone.
    Phone
  2. Tap on Silence Unknown Callers.
    click on silence unknown callers
  3. Turn on the toggle, and now you are good to go.
    Silence Unknown Callers

These were the steps of how to block scam likely calls on the iPhone. This feature will not only block scam likely calls but all scam calls. Interestingly, you can also find the locations on iPhone online for free in 12 different ways.

What is Scam Likely And Is This Feature Trustable?

The Scam Likely Calls do not work every time. Sometimes, there might be a case where you are receiving a genuine call from someone, but the mobile device detects it as a spam call. Since no technology is perfect at its root, there are certain chances that it might disappoint you. 

should you trust scam likely feature

In situations like these, it is advised that you talk to the person on call carefully and do not give any information asked by them. If you believe that the individual calling you is your known acquaintance or some relative, then it is okay. 

Ultimately, you cannot blindly trust this feature. And if you are receiving a call from an unknown contact, simply ignore that call. If there is a genuine person behind the unknown number with a genuine cause, they will message you to inform you. As you have complete control over the call, you can hang it up if, at any moment, you start feeling skeptical.

T-Mobile’s Own Scam Block Feature

Noticing the demand of their user base, T-Mobile has introduced a feature called “Scam Block”. With this feature, blocking scam likely calls has never been easier. By turning it on, you are permitting T-Mobile to automatically avoid such calls on your phone.

block scam likely calls feature

To turn it on, you can simply dial #662#. And if after some time, you have decided to turn it off, simply call #632#. Also, if you are not sure whether this feature is active on your device or not, dial #787#.

You can also stop receiving these calls by installing the ScamShield app on their official website.

How to Check Scam Likely Calls on Different Carriers?

The scam likely feature seems to be a necessity for almost every user, and you can find it on other different carriers as well. Due to the STIR/SHAKEN standard that US carriers have implemented on their networks over time, it is now adopted by almost every carrier in the USA.

Therefore, if you are not a T-Mobile or Metro user, you can still get a similar feature on your network provider. 

  • If you are an AT&T user, you can download the AT&T ActiveArmor application for iOS or Android devices.
  • If you have opted Verizon for as your service provider, you can try downloading the Verizon Call Filter app for iOS or Android devices.

Thanks to the STIR/SHAKEN standard, you are now being informed if the call you are getting is a scam or not. Another sign of recognising a real call is that your call gets recorded on an iPhone or Android phone for security purposes. Therefore, if the speaker claims to be from the real company, but your call is not getting recorded, it means that it’s potentially a trap.

Why am I Getting So Many Scam Calls?

There can be multiple reasons for which you became one of the victims of scam calls. However, with this much digital penetration in everybody’s lives, it has become pretty common. So, it is not that big of an issue. That said, the following are some reasons why you might be receiving scam calls:

  1. Your number got leaked in a data breach: There is a high possibility that your number got leaked in a data breach. It happens due to frequent incidents where hackers leak your numbers to reach out for their scams.

    Sadly, there are no foolproof ways that can make you completely immune from this issue, but you can follow some typical security steps like not visiting any suspicious sites or not opening any suspicious links.
  2. You accidentally answered some spam calls: Once you answer a spam call even by mistake, just assume that you are now going to get more of these calls. Therefore, just try to refrain or ignore these calls as much as possible.
  3. Your number is added to social media: If you have added your contact to your social media or any other website, you are again on the hit list of another potential spam call.

These are some major reasons why you are receiving frequent scam calls on your phone. Consider these mistakes and try to avoid them as much as possible. If you have taken these cautions seriously, there will be no further need to read any how-to-block scam likely calls on iPhone or Android guides. 

Scarily, if a scammer manages to get into someone’s device, it can even track their Google Maps location online

What Sources Do Scammers Use?

Now you know why you are getting these scam calls on your number. But it might have raised a question in your mind: what sources do they use to get your number? Well, in the following list, you can know about those sources:

  1. Dark Web: The most prominent or probably the most unethical way to get leads for scammers is the dark web. There is a plethora of data and information about random people that is sold on the dark web. A lot of scammers and fraudsters fulfill their needs through this option.
  2. Number Generator: Auto-dialer or number generator is another tool that is heavily used by scammers to scam people. This tool generates a random combination of numbers on which fraudsters can make a call.
  3. Social Media and Web Searches: You might be wondering but another most common source for scammers are social media and web searches. The process of digging out contacts from social media and the web is known as web scrapping. They get your contact through different sources like Facebook email alerts, etc.

These are the 3 main and major sources through which scammers get contacts of their next victims.

Conclusion

With this write-up, you might have gotten an idea of what is scam likely. T-Mobile and its subsidiaries are offering a great feature for users which is named as “Scam Likely”. This feature informs you whether the call you are getting is a scam or not and will also help to stop scam likely calls. Still, if you do not want this feature, you may use the “Filter Spam Calls” feature on Android phones and “Silence Unknown Callers” on iOS devices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Ans: To stop getting scam likely calls, you may use the “Filter Spam Calls” feature on Android phones and “Silence Unknown Callers” on iOS devices.

Ans: Yes, #662# is a code offered by T-Mobile to stop scam likely calls on your device.

Ans:How do I permanently block spam risk calls?

You can get your number entered into the National Do Not Call list. Register your numbers on the National Do Not Call list at no cost by calling 1-888-382-1222 (voice) or 1-866-290-4236 (TTY).

Ans: There are multiple reasons why you might be getting frequent scam calls such as you gave your contact on a suspicious online website, your number is exposed to data leaks, your contact was dialed randomly, and other reasons.

Sources

Help with scams, spam, and fraud | T-Mobile Support

About Author:
Divya Sharma
Computer and Software Expert
I am a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from Shyama Prasad Mukherji College (University of Delhi) dedicated to sharing tips and…
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