Protect Your Phone: How to Enable Antispam Filters and Avoid Scams
With simple settings on iOS 26 and Android, you could shield your device against fraudulent calls.
The Nurse's Case: A US$9,000 Scam Attempt
To understand the importance of these tools, according to Noticias Telemundo, a California nurse named Paloma Hernández recently received a call from an unknown number. A scammer told her she had missed a court date and demanded payment for two fines totaling 9,000 dollars. Fortunately, noticing the aggressive and urgent tone, she hung up, avoiding financial loss. After this experience, she decided to activate call filters on her phone.
Configuration on iPhone (iOS 26)
iPhone users with the iOS 26 operating system have a built-in tool that identifies who is trying to communicate before you answer. To activate it, you could follow these simple steps:
- 1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- 2. Go to the Apps section.
- 3. Select Phone.
- 4. Look for the Filter Unknown Callers option and choose between Ask for Call Reason or Silence.
Additionally, you could activate Call Filtering > Junk to silence communications that your carrier identifies as spam.
Configuration on Android (Google Phone App)
If you use an Android device with the Google Phone app, you also have tools at your disposal. The process is just as quick:
- 1. Go to Settings within the Phone app.
- 2. Find the Caller ID & spam section.
- 3. Enable the See caller and spam ID option so the system warns you of unwanted communications.
- 4. Also enable Filter spam calls to automatically block certain numbers.
On models like the Pixel 6 and later, this blocking is part of the basic protection levels, providing a much more peaceful experience.
Glossary to Stay Alert: Spoofing and Vishing
Spoofing
This is a technique that allows falsifying the number or name shown on the caller ID. A scammer could make it seem like they are calling from your bank or a government agency. Therefore, a familiar name on the screen is not definitive proof of identity.
Vishing
This is a form of telephone fraud where deception is used to obtain personal data, card numbers, passwords, or family information. The official Argentine government site Argentina.gob.ar recommends hanging up if in doubt and calling the entity's official number.
Expert Recommendations
James E. Lee, president of the Identity Theft Resource Center, advises not confirming personal data over the phone and monitoring your credit history. Seemingly harmless data like your full name or date of birth could later be used to commit identity fraud.
Combining these automatic filters with security habits allows us to enjoy technology with total peace of mind and without interruptions. Let us shield our phones!