How to Stop Spam Calls and Texts on iPhone and Android in Canada

A spam call at dinner is annoying. A scam text that looks like it came from your bank, a delivery company, or a government office is worse, because it is designed to make you act before you think. The good news is that your phone already has most of the tools you need, and Canadian carriers and regulators add a few more. You do not need a new app to get a much quieter phone. You need to turn on the right settings, in the right order, and build one habit: never trust an unexpected message that asks you to click, call back, or share a code.

Step 1: Silence unknown callers without missing real calls

Start with the setting that makes the biggest difference. On iPhone, open Settings, then Phone, then Silence Unknown Callers, and turn it on. Calls from numbers that are not in your contacts, recent calls, or Siri suggestions will go straight to voicemail. Your phone will still show them in recent calls, so you can call back a real caller you missed.

On Android, the path depends on your phone and dialler app. In the Google Phone app, open Phone, tap the three dots, then Settings, then Spam and Call Screen or Caller ID and spam, and turn on spam protection. On Samsung phones, open Phone, tap the three dots, then Settings, then Caller ID and spam protection, and turn it on. In most recent versions, your phone can also flag a likely spam call before you answer, which gives you a chance to let it ring out.

Step 2: Block and report numbers, one tap at a time

When a spam call or text does get through, block it right away. Blocking is not perfect, because a scammer can call from a new number tomorrow, but it stops that exact number from bothering you again, and it helps your phone and carrier spot patterns over time.

On iPhone, open the Phone app, find the number in Recents, tap the info button, scroll down, and tap Block this Caller. For a text, open the message, tap the number or contact name at the top, tap Info, and choose Block this Caller. On Android, open the Phone or Messages app, open the call or conversation, tap the three dots or the number, and choose Block, then confirm. In many Android messaging apps you can also tap Report spam when you block a text.

Step 3: Turn on your carrier's spam and call filtering

Your carrier sees far more spam traffic than your phone does, so carrier filtering is worth turning on. Bell, Rogers, and Telus, along with their flanker brands, all offer spam call filtering and call blocking features, though the exact name and where you turn it on can vary. Check your carrier account app or website for spam, call control, or call filtering settings, and turn on any free filtering that is offered.

Step 4: Join the National Do Not Call List and report fraud properly

The National Do Not Call List, run by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, is for legitimate telemarketers, not for scammers. Joining it will not stop criminals, because criminals do not follow the list, but it should reduce calls from lawful businesses that follow the rules. You can register your phone numbers online through the National Do Not Call List website, and registration is free.

For fraud, use the right channel. If a call or text tried to trick you into sending money, sharing a code, or giving personal information, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Keep the number, the time, and a screenshot if you can, but do not include sensitive details like a full password in your report. Reporting does not guarantee the scammer will be caught, but it helps authorities track campaigns and warn others.

Step 5: Build a scam text habit that protects you every day

If a text says a package is held, a bank account is locked, or a toll or tax payment is overdue, do not use the link or number in the text. Open the official app yourself, or type the official website address yourself, and check there. Delivery companies, banks, and government agencies in Canada do not ask you to pay an unexpected fee through a random text link, and they do not ask for a one time code by text reply.

Step 6: If you answered, clicked, or shared something, act fast

Everyone slips sometimes. A scammer only needs one tired moment. If you answered a call and shared personal information, clicked a link, or entered a code, do not panic, but do act quickly. First, change the password for any account that could be affected, and turn on two factor authentication if it is not already on. Second, contact your bank or card provider right away if money, card details, or banking login details were involved, and ask what holds or replacements they recommend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will joining the National Do Not Call List stop all spam calls in Canada?

No. The list applies to legitimate telemarketers who follow Canadian rules. It should reduce lawful sales calls, but scammers ignore the list, so you still need phone settings, carrier filtering, and blocking for criminal calls and texts.

Should I answer an unknown number just to check who it is?

It is safer not to answer. Let unknown calls go to voicemail when you have Silence Unknown Callers or spam protection turned on. A real caller will usually leave a message, and you can call back using a number you find yourself, not the number that called you.

What should I do with a text that says my bank account is locked?

Do not click the link or call the number in the text. Open your bank app yourself or type the bank website address yourself and check your account there. If you are unsure, call the bank using the number on the back of your card or on its official website, and report the text to your carrier and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.