New Tools to Stop Robocalls
Your cell-phone service is taking aim at spammers and spoofers.
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Newsletter sign up Newsletter

If it seems as if you’re getting more-frequent robocalls, you’re right. Calls from robots are on track to make up nearly half of all calls in the U.S. by early 2019, according to phone security company First Orion.
But help may be on the way. Next year, many mobile carriers plan to start rolling out a new line of defense: a kind of caller authentication dubbed Stir/Shaken. The service is designed to cut down on “spoofing”—the trick spammers use to make their calls appear to come from a local number. Once Stir/Shaken is implemented by Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and other mobile companies, phone calls made on their networks will carry a digital key that will make it difficult for spammers to disguise their identities.
There are plenty of other ways to cut down on the number of robots in your call history. Review options your phone provider offers for rejecting or screening anonymous calls, and consider third-party apps, such as YouMail or Robo-Killer, that automatically reject calls from suspect numbers. These apps aren’t foolproof, but once Stir/Shaken is available, you can expect them to be more effective.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
-
-
Personal Finance Tips for the Year of the Rabbit
Being intelligent like a rabbit by making smart choices about spending and saving, paying attention to details and exercising patience in investing can help increase financial security.
By Marguerita M. Cheng, CFP® • Published
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Drop After Bleak Big Tech Earnings, Jobs Shocker
Apple (AAPL), Amazon.com (AMZN) and Alphabet (GOOGL) all reported quarterly profit that fell short of estimates.
By Karee Venema • Published
-
Best Cash Back Credit Cards February 2023
Smart Buying Looking for the credit card that pays the most cash back? These lenders may pay hundreds of dollars, with minimum hassle.
By Lisa Gerstner • Last updated
-
I-Bond Rate Is 6.89% for Next Six Months
Investing for Income If you missed out on the opportunity to buy I-bonds at their recent high, don’t despair. The new rate is still good, and even has a little sweetener built in.
By David Muhlbaum • Last updated
-
What Are I-Bonds?
savings bonds Inflation has made Series I savings bonds enormously popular with risk-averse investors. How do they work?
By Lisa Gerstner • Last updated
-
Your Guide to Open Enrollment 2023
Employee Benefits Health care costs continue to climb, but subsidies will make some plans more affordable.
By Rivan V. Stinson • Published
-
Watch Out for Flood-Damaged Cars from Hurricane Ian
Buying & Leasing a Car In the wake of Hurricane Ian, more flood-damaged cars may hit the market. Car prices may rise further because of increased demand as well.
By Bob Niedt • Last updated
-
What You Need to Know About Life Insurance Settlements
life insurance If your life insurance payments don’t seem worth it anymore, consider these options for keeping the value.
By David Rodeck • Published
-
Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards February 2023
credit cards Business road warriors and leisure travelers can use travel rewards credit cards to turn miles logged into other things — including more travel.
By Lisa Gerstner • Last updated
-
What Is APR?
credit & debt Even for those who pay off their credit card balances every month, knowing your APR is part of keeping good credit habits.
By Rivan V. Stinson • Published