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Here’s how to stop spam calls and texts for good – plus what to know about whether spam-blocking apps are legit.

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Your phone rings, the number is unknown but you pick up in case it’s a doctor’s office or your child’s school – only to find it’s a debt-reduction offer or bogus info about how you won a free cruise.

Robocalls and scam texts are not only annoying but can lead to the loss of your hard-earned money.

Americans reported losing a whopping $10 billion to scams in 2023, the Federal Trade Commission says. Phone scams caused the highest per-person loss, at a median of $1,400.

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News4 and Consumer Reports have new advice on how to stop annoying robocalls and avoid becoming a fraud victim.

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Your cellphone provider may be your first line of defense, said Nicholas De Leon, a technology writer with Consumer Reports.

“The Federal Communications Commission requires your provider to have robocall-fighting technology. It’s free. Or maybe you pay a little more monthly to have spam-blocking features,” he said.

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▶️ WATCH THIS STORY

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You can set your phone to only ring for calls from your contacts and people you’ve previously been in contact with.

On an iPhone, go to Settings >> Phone >> Silence Unknown Callers. Anyone you don’t know will go right to voicemail.

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If you get an offer or link in a text from someone you don’t know, don’t respond or click.

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Scam-blocking apps may help. Before you download, though, check reviews and read the fine print, De Leon warned.

“Double-check the privacy polices of these apps. They may be using your data, selling it, or they may be using it in ways you’re not comfortable with,” he said.

Finally: Sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry. You can do so online or by phone via the FTC.

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