How to Avoid Disturbing Marketing and Advertising Phone Calls in the USA

Unwanted marketing and advertising phone calls can be incredibly frustrating. Whether it's a robocall from a company you’ve never heard of or a persistent telemarketer trying to sell you something you don’t need, these disturbances can interrupt your daily life and infringe on your privacy.

Fortunately, if you're in the United States, there are several effective ways to stop or significantly reduce these annoying calls. This blog post will walk you through the most effective methods, legal protections, and digital tools you can use to take back control of your phone line.

Why You Receive Marketing and Advertising Calls

Before jumping into solutions, it’s helpful to understand why you’re getting these calls in the first place. Telemarketers often get your number from:

• Online forms or sweepstakes
• Public records or data brokers
• Loyalty programs and surveys
• Previous purchases or services

Even if you never knowingly gave consent, your phone number may have been sold or shared without your full awareness.

1. Register with the National Do Not Call Registry

The National Do Not Call Registry, managed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is the first step in stopping legitimate telemarketing calls.

How to Register:

1. Visit donotcall.gov
2. Click "Register Your Phone"
3. Enter your phone number and email address
4. Confirm your registration via email

Once registered, telemarketers have 31 days to stop calling you. While this won’t stop all calls (such as scams or political calls), it reduces the volume of legal telemarketing activity significantly.

Tip: You only need to register once. Your number stays on the list permanently unless you remove it.

2. Use Call-Blocking Apps and Services

Technology can be your best defense against unwanted calls. There are several apps specifically designed to block robocalls and telemarketing calls.

Popular Call-Blocking Apps:

• Hiya – Identifies unknown numbers and blocks spam
• RoboKiller – Uses an AI-driven spam call blocking system
• Truecaller – Offers spam call identification and blocking
• Nomorobo – Blocks robocalls on VoIP landlines and smartphones

Most of these apps offer both free and premium versions, allowing you to tailor your level of protection.

Bonus Tip: Some mobile carriers, like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, offer their own built-in call-blocking features—check your carrier’s app or website for details.

3. Manually Block Numbers

If you're getting repeated calls from the same number, consider blocking it manually on your smartphone.

For iPhone:

1. Go to the Phone app
2. Tap the “i” next to the number
3. Scroll down and tap Block This Caller

For Android:

1. Open the Phone app
2. Tap the number or recent call
3. Tap Details and then Block number

This doesn’t stop spoofed or new numbers, but it helps against repeat offenders.

4. Enable “Silence Unknown Callers”

Most smartphones now allow you to silence unknown numbers, so they go straight to voicemail without ringing.

On iPhone:

1. Go to Settings
2. Tap Phone
3. Turn on Silence Unknown Callers

On Android:

Settings may vary, but look for:

• “Block unknown/private numbers”
• “Do Not Disturb” with custom rules

5. Understand the Laws Protecting You

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and FTC regulations give you the legal right to stop telemarketing calls.

Under the TCPA, it’s illegal for telemarketers to:

• Call numbers on the Do Not Call Registry
• Use prerecorded messages without consent
• Call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. local time
• Use auto-dialers for cell phones without permission

If a company violates these laws, you can report them or even sue in small claims court. Penalties can be up to $1,500 per violation.

6. Report Violators to the FTC and FCC

If you continue receiving spam or marketing calls despite registering with the Do Not Call Registry, report them.

How to File a Complaint:

• Visit reportfraud.ftc.gov
• Call 1-888-382-1222
• Provide the number, time, and name of the company (if known)

7. Be Careful Where You Share Your Number

Prevention is better than cure. Think twice before giving out your phone number, especially online.

Tips to Avoid Telemarketing Lists:

• Use a burner number or Google Voice for sign-ups
• Read privacy policies before entering your number
• Uncheck any pre-selected boxes allowing marketing
• Opt out of data sharing when available

8. Use Two Phone Numbers (One for Personal Use)

For those who frequently sign up for online services or job applications, consider having a second phone number.

Apps like Google Voice or Burner allow you to create a secondary line, which you can use for temporary purposes. This way, your primary phone remains spam-free.

Final Thoughts: Take Back Control of Your Phone

While telemarketing and robocalls continue to be a nuisance, you don’t have to tolerate them. By using the National Do Not Call Registry, leveraging technology, and being cautious with your number, you can drastically reduce the volume of unwanted calls.

Stay proactive, stay protected, and reclaim your phone.