The Federal Communications Commission announced new, free guides that walk consumers through activating call‑blocking and text‑filtering features already built into most smartphones and offered by the nation’s largest wireless carriers. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr highlighted the effort on September 22 as part of the agency’s ongoing campaign against illegal robocalls and robotexts.
How the guides work
The step‑by‑step instructions are organized by device type (iPhone or Android) and by carrier (AT&T, T‑Mobile, Verizon). Users can select the guide that matches their phone and service provider, then follow simple directions to enable screening of unknown callers, block specific numbers, and filter suspicious messages.
Carrier‑specific sections point to existing services such as AT&T ActiveArmor, T‑Mobile Scam Shield and Verizon Call Filter. While many of these tools are included at no extra cost, carriers may also offer premium upgrades with additional features.
Why the FCC is acting now
Chairman Carr called illegal robocalls the agency’s “top consumer protection priority” and said the new guides are intended to make existing protections easier to use. The FCC stresses that the guides do not create new law or replace the National Do Not Call Registry; they simply consolidate information that is already available.
According to the YouMail Robocall Index, Americans received about 52.5 billion robocalls in 2025, a slight decline from 52.8 billion in 2024. Through August 2026, the index estimated roughly 32.7 billion robocalls nationwide—about 99.6 calls per person. June 2026 alone saw more than 4.25 billion calls, or roughly 141.8 million per day.
State and local relevance
Texas authorities have repeatedly warned residents about phone and text scams. The Dallas Express reported recent “smishing” messages that mimic NTTA and TxTag toll notices, as well as impersonation calls claiming to be from Customs and Border Protection, local police, or the FBI. Dallas and Denton police departments have urged citizens not to send money or share personal information with unknown callers.
By using both device‑level and carrier‑level protections, Texans can better shield themselves from these scams while the FCC continues to pursue upstream solutions, such as stricter caller‑ID authentication (STIR/SHAKEN) and expanded “do‑not‑originate” requirements for voice providers.
What consumers should do
Residents should start by visiting fcc.gov/blockit to download the appropriate guide, enable built‑in blocking features, and consider enrolling in carrier‑offered services. Registering a phone number with the free National Do Not Call Registry and filing complaints with the FCC or FTC remain additional tools in the fight against unwanted calls.
While no solution can eliminate every illegal robocall, the FCC’s new guides provide a practical, cost‑free way for Americans—especially those in North Texas—to reduce the daily nuisance and protect personal information.
Original reporting: WBAP News/Talk (Dallas-Fort Worth) — read the source article.
