How to cut down spam calls, texts and junk email
Nothing gets you to zero. Scammers ignore the rules, and your number is already in old data breaches. But these steps make a real dent, and most of them are free. Do the ones that fit you.
1. Turn on the filters you already have
- Use your phone's built-in spam filter. iPhone can screen unknown callers; Android phones can filter suspected spam calls. Step-by-step with pictures: iPhone · Android. Your carrier also offers a free spam-blocking app or setting.
- Report spam texts by forwarding them to 7726 (it spells SPAM). Carriers use the reports to block senders.
- Add your number to the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov. Legitimate telemarketers have to respect it. Scammers won't, so expect fewer sales calls, not fewer scam calls.
2. Get yourself off data broker lists
People-search and data broker sites publish and sell your phone number, email and address. That's where a lot of spam lists come from.
- Search your name and city on the big people-search sites. Each has an opt-out page; find your listing and request removal. Use a spare email for the confirmation links.
- Live in California? The state's free DROP tool sends one deletion request to every registered data broker at once.
- Cut junk mail and credit offers at optoutprescreen.com, the credit bureaus' official opt-out site.
- Check back every few months. Brokers often re-list people, so this isn't one-and-done.
Or one of these services can do it for you
They send the opt-outs and keep re-checking, for a yearly fee. Worth it if you'd rather not spend the hours.
In no particular order. None of them can reach every site, and none can undo past data breaches. Check current prices on each site.
3. Stop giving out your real email and number
Every store, contest and quote form you fill out is a chance for your info to get sold. Give them something other than the real thing.
- Tag your email. Many providers let you add a tag: sign up as you+storename@gmail.com. Mail still reaches you, and if spam shows up addressed to that tag, you know who leaked it.
- Use a free second number for signups. In the US, Google Voice gives you one. Keep your real number for family, your bank and sign-in codes.
- Check where you've already leaked at haveibeenpwned.com. It shows which data breaches include your email.
- More email habits that help: nine simple ones here.
Or one of these tools can make aliases for you
An alias is a separate address or number for each site, forwarding to your real one. Switch off any that start getting spam.
| Tool | Phone | Free option | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Hide My Email | Yes | No | Comes with iCloud+ |
| Proton Pass | Yes | No | Yes, limited |
| SimpleLogin | Yes | No | Yes, limited |
| Firefox Relay | Yes | Paid: one number, capped minutes and texts | Yes, a few email masks |
Alias phone numbers are internet numbers. Many banks and some sign-in codes won't accept them.
We're working on an email and phone alias tool
It isn't built yet. If enough people want it, we'll build it and tell you once. If we do, we'll be in the comparison above too, and we'll keep saying where others fit you better.
One email, only if it launches. Never shared. Privacy policy