Receiving frequent calls from creditors or collection agencies can be frustrating and stressful. One way to reduce or eliminate these unwanted calls is by using call screeners and call blockers. These tools can help you manage or stop the intrusion of constant creditor or collection calls, giving you peace of mind and more control over your communication. Below is a list of the best call screeners and call blockers, along with how to use them effectively to minimize or stop unwanted calls.
Top Call Screening and Blocking Apps
1. Hiya
- About: Hiya is one of the most popular and highly-rated call screening apps. It identifies calls from debt collectors, creditors, telemarketers, and scammers, allowing you to block them automatically.
- Key Features:
- Real-time spam detection: Hiya identifies and alerts you to incoming calls from known spam or collection agencies.
- Automatic blocking: Set the app to automatically block calls from identified creditors or debt collectors.
- Call log and reverse lookup: You can perform reverse phone lookups to see if an unknown number is associated with collection agencies or telemarketers.
- How to Use:
- Download the Hiya app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Grant permissions to access your call log and contacts.
- Customize your call blocking settings to block known creditors or debt collectors automatically.
- You can manually add numbers to a blocklist for more control over who can reach you.
2. Truecaller
- About: Truecaller is another leading call-blocking and caller ID app. It can screen and block unwanted calls, including those from debt collectors and creditors.
- Key Features:
- Community-based spam reporting: Truecaller uses a community-based database to identify and block spam calls, including creditor and collection agency calls.
- Call identification: It shows caller names for unknown numbers, helping you identify debt collectors before answering.
- Auto-block settings: You can set up Truecaller to automatically block calls from specific types of numbers (like creditors or debt collectors).
- How to Use:
- Download Truecaller from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Register your phone number and allow permissions to access calls and contacts.
- Enable call-blocking settings, including automatic blocking of collection agencies and spam calls.
- Use the call log to add specific numbers to your blocklist if needed.
3. RoboKiller
- About: RoboKiller is designed to block unwanted robocalls, including debt collection and spam calls. It goes a step further by answering and wasting time on spam callers with its “answer bots.”
- Key Features:
- Answer bots: These bots waste the time of spammers by engaging them in conversation, giving you fewer interruptions.
- Blacklist and whitelist: Block calls from certain categories while allowing important numbers through.
- Spam reporting: Users can report creditor and collection agency numbers as spam, which improves the accuracy of the blocking.
- How to Use:
- Download RoboKiller from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Set up your account and grant the necessary permissions for call access.
- Enable the blocking feature for debt collectors and use the answer bot for extra protection.
- Review and adjust your blocklist regularly to ensure only unwanted calls are blocked.
4. Nomorobo
- About: Nomorobo blocks spam and robocalls, including those from debt collectors, in real-time. It’s designed to automatically identify and stop unwanted calls based on a massive database of spam callers.
- Key Features:
- Real-time call blocking: Automatically blocks unwanted collection and spam calls.
- Do Not Disturb mode: You can enable strict blocking during certain hours, letting only whitelisted contacts through.
- Call filtering: Nomorobo filters calls based on community reporting, making it highly effective for debt collection calls.
- How to Use:
- Download Nomorobo from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Register your phone number and give the app permission to access call data.
- Customize the app to block debt collectors, robocalls, and spam based on your preferences.
- Enable Do Not Disturb mode to block calls during specific hours or when you’re busy.
5. Call Control
- About: Call Control is an app that automatically blocks spam calls, including debt collection agencies and telemarketers.
- Key Features:
- Crowdsourced call blocking: Uses a large database of reported spam numbers to block known creditors and debt collectors.
- Do Not Disturb mode: Allows you to block all calls except for those on your whitelist.
- Personal blocklist: Add numbers manually to ensure you’re only blocking the calls you want to avoid.
- How to Use:
- Download Call Control from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Enable the app to access your call history and contacts.
- Turn on automatic blocking for creditor or debt collection calls.
- Add numbers to your personal blocklist for more specific control.
Using Built-In Call Blocking Features on Your Phone
Both iPhone and Android devices have built-in call-blocking features that can help you stop collection calls:
1. How to Block Calls on iPhone:
- Steps:
- Open the Phone app and go to your Recent Calls list.
- Find the number you want to block (creditor or debt collector).
- Tap the Info icon (the “i” in a circle) next to the number.
- Scroll down and tap Block This Caller.
- Confirm the action, and the number will be added to your blocklist.
2. How to Block Calls on Android:
- Steps:
- Open the Phone app and go to your Call Log or Recent Calls.
- Find the number from the debt collector or creditor.
- Tap and hold the number, then choose Block or Report as Spam from the menu.
- Confirm the action to block the number.
Tips for Using Call Blockers and Screeners Effectively
- Enable Automatic Blocking: Make sure your call screener or blocker is set to automatically block calls from numbers identified as creditors, debt collectors, or spammers. This reduces the chances of interruptions.
- Regularly Update Your Blocklist: Occasionally, review and update your blocklist by adding new numbers from creditors or collection agencies. This ensures your phone stays protected from unwanted calls.
- Use Reverse Lookup: Many call screeners allow you to use reverse lookup to identify unknown numbers. This feature can help you confirm if the call is from a debt collector, so you can block it.
- Leverage “Do Not Disturb” Mode: If you want to block all calls except those from trusted contacts, you can enable Do Not Disturb mode on your device or through your app settings, and only whitelist important numbers.
- Know Your Rights: Even with a call blocker, it’s important to understand that creditors and debt collectors must follow the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). If they continue to harass you or violate your rights, you can take legal action or work with a debt relief company to settle or manage your debt.
Conclusion
Using call screeners and call blockers is an effective way to minimize or completely stop unwanted creditor and debt collection calls. Whether you choose a third-party app like Hiya, Truecaller, or Nomorobo, or use built-in phone features, you can regain control of your phone and stop the constant interruptions. Just be sure to stay updated on your blocked numbers and know your legal rights under the FDCPA in case further action is needed.