How to protect elderly parents from phone scams: 11 settings and habits

1. 1

   Turn on the carrier's free scam call blocking

   All three big US carriers include free scam call protection. You may need to download an app or turn it on.

   • Verizon Call Filter (free): Flags numbers as "Potential Spam" and can send high-risk spam calls to voicemail. It runs in the Verizon Protect app, or through Services & perks in My Verizon. Call Filter Plus costs extra.
   • T-Mobile Scam Shield (free): Labels calls "Scam Likely" and can block them with Scam Block. Turn Scam Block on in the T-Life app or by dialing #662# from the phone.
   • AT&T ActiveArmor (free): Blocks fraud and spam calls or sends them to voicemail. Download the free ActiveArmor app.
   • On another carrier or a landline? Call them and ask what scam call blocking they offer. The FTC says call blocking is "your best defense against unwanted calls."
2. 2

   iPhone: screen unknown callers

   Go to Settings, Apps, Phone, then Screen Unknown Callers. Choose Ask Reason for Calling so the phone asks a stranger why they are calling before it rings, or Silence to send unknown numbers straight to voicemail. Family and saved contacts ring as normal, so add everyone your parent wants to hear from to Contacts first.

3. 3

   iPhone: filter spam calls

   On the same Phone settings screen, scroll to Call Filtering. Turn on the spam filter, and turn on Unknown Callers so missed calls and voicemails from unknown numbers go into a separate list. Your parent can still check that list, but it stops the constant ringing.

4. 4

   iPhone: screen texts from unknown senders

   On iOS 26, go to Settings, Apps, Messages, scroll to Unknown Senders, and turn on Screen Unknown Senders. Texts from numbers that are not in Contacts move to a separate list. Apple says it is off by default, so check it. This keeps fake toll, delivery and bank texts out of the main inbox.

5. 5

   Android: check Scam Detection is on

   On supported Android phones, Google's Scam Detection looks at new message notifications for likely scams. Google says message scam detection is on by default. To check, open Settings, search for "Scam Detection" and make sure Message scams is on. It is only on select devices, and Google notes it may not catch every scam.

6. 6

   Make "hang up and call back" the rule

   The FTC says scammers "can make any name or number show up on your caller ID." So a call that shows the bank or Medicare proves nothing. The FCC's advice: hang up and call the number on your account statement or on the company's or agency's real website. Never use a number the caller gives.

7. 7

   Agree on a family code word

   The FBI recommends you "create a secret word or phrase with your family to verify their identity." Scammers can now clone a voice from a short clip. A code word gives your parent a simple test when a panicked "grandchild" calls. Our guide to AI voice cloning scams shows how to set one up.

8. 8

   Don't press buttons, and don't say "yes"

   When a robocall says "press 1 to speak to an agent" or "press 2 to be removed," the FTC says not to press anything. It can lead to more calls. The FCC also advises not to answer questions, "especially those that can be answered with 'Yes.'" Just hang up.

9. 9

   Register on Do Not Call, but know its limits

   Add your parent's numbers at donotcall.gov. It cuts down on legal sales calls. But the FTC is blunt: "Scammers don't care if you're on the National Do Not Call Registry." Treat it as a noise filter, not scam protection. In fact, the FTC says a company selling something needs written permission to robocall you, so an unexpected sales robocall is itself a warning sign.

10. 10

    Put a cheat sheet by the phone

    Write down who never calls out of the blue demanding money. Keep it short and big.

    • Medicare won't call to ask for your Medicare number or a payment. Real number: 1-800-633-4227.
    • The IRS normally contacts you first by mail.
    • Your bank will never ask you to move money to "keep it safe." The FTC says your money "is fine where it is."
    • No one real asks to be paid in gift cards, wire transfers, crypto or a payment app in a hurry.
    • Family in trouble: hang up and call them on their usual number.
11. 11

    Know where to report

    Report scam calls at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) so the carrier can block similar ones. If money moved, call the bank first, using the number on the back of the card.

Do it together, in one visit

Settings work best when your parent knows they are on. Sit down together and say what each one does: "This one stops strangers from ringing through. If someone real calls, they'll leave a message." Then add every person and business they want to hear from to Contacts. That one step prevents most of the "I missed the doctor's call" frustration that makes people turn filters off.

What to say when a scam call gets through

Phone scams are often only half the story

Many scams start somewhere else and end on the phone. A fake renewal email says "call us within 24 hours to cancel," or a computer pop-up shows a number to call. The FTC says real security warnings "will never ask you to call a phone number." So protecting the inbox matters too. See how to stop scam emails in Gmail.

OwlGuardian does not block calls or texts. It screens Gmail and moves scam emails, like fake invoices with a phone number to call, into quarantine before your parent sees them. For a suspicious text, your parent can say "Hey Siri, call my Owl" and get a verdict on a screenshot in about five seconds.

Questions people ask