Most “Scam Likely” calls can be cut down a lot by turning on your carrier’s scam blocking, tightening your phone’s spam settings, and using a reputable call‑blocking app, but you’ll never get to 0 because scammers constantly change numbers.

What “Scam Likely” Means

  • Many carriers scan traffic and label calls from known or suspicious scam numbers as “Scam Likely,” “Spam Risk,” or similar tags before the phone even rings.
  • The label is a warning, not a full block by default, so the call can still ring unless you turn on filtering or blocking options.

Quick steps on your phone

On iPhone (recent versions):

  1. Block a specific scam number: open Phone → Recents → tap the “i” next to the call → “Block this Caller.”
  1. Silence unknown callers: Settings → Phone → “Silence Unknown Callers” → turn it on (unknown numbers go straight to voicemail, contacts still ring).

On Android (varies by brand):

  1. Block a specific number: open Phone → Recents → tap or hold the number → “Block” or “Block/Report spam.”
  1. Turn on spam protection (Google/Pixel/Samsung): open Phone → menu (⋮) → Settings → Caller ID & spam or similar → enable caller ID and spam filtering/blocking.

Turn on carrier scam blocking

Most big carriers offer free or low‑cost tools that auto‑block or label scam numbers at the network level.

Typical features include:

  • “Scam ID” to show “Scam Likely” or “Spam Risk” before you answer.
  • “Scam Block” or “Call Protect” to auto‑block high‑risk scam calls so they never ring.

You usually enable these by:

  • Installing your carrier’s security/Call Protect app and turning on spam or fraud blocking in its settings, or
  • Logging into your online account and enabling call filtering or fraud blocking under your line’s features.

Use call‑blocking apps

If your carrier tools and built‑in phone options aren’t enough, you can add a third‑party app:

  • Well‑known apps (for example, robocall/spam blockers like Truecaller, Hiya, or Nomorobo) keep large databases of scam numbers and can auto‑block or silently send them to voicemail.
  • These apps often let you: block by area code, auto‑block high‑risk calls only, or create “allow lists” so important numbers always ring.

Extra ways to cut down scams

  • Register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry (in the U.S.) so legal telemarketers should stop calling, even though criminals will ignore it.
  • Avoid posting your main number publicly, and think twice before giving it to sweepstakes, random promo sites, or shady online forms that may resell it.
  • If you do answer and realize it’s a scam, hang up immediately and don’t press buttons or call back; interacting can mark your number as “active” to scammers.

TL;DR:

  • Block individual “Scam Likely” numbers in your Recents.
  • Turn on spam protection in your phone’s call settings.
  • Enable your carrier’s scam blocking tools.
  • Consider a reputable spam‑blocking app for an extra layer.