Block Spam and Scam Calls in Canada

TELUS — Call Control

Call Control is the strongest network-level option in Canada because it does not rely on a spam list. When an unrecognised number calls, TELUS answers first and asks the caller to press a digit it reads out. Automated dialers cannot press it, so your phone never rings. Turn it on in the My TELUS app under Manage plan, or ask TELUS to enable it on the line. Numbers in your contacts and numbers you have called before ring straight through.

Koodo lines run on the same TELUS network features.

Rogers — Spam Call Detect

Rogers screens calls on the network and labels anything it scores as high risk so the call arrives showing 'Suspected Spam' instead of an unknown number. It is included on eligible Rogers lines at no extra cost. Manage it in the MyRogers app under your line's features. Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) so the number is added to the shared list.

Fido lines use the same Rogers network screening.

Bell — call filtering and verified caller ID

Bell filters known fraudulent traffic on its network and supports STIR/SHAKEN caller-ID authentication, so calls whose caller ID has been verified display a verified marker and spoofed ones do not. Check your line's Call Control / call filtering options in MyBell, and use your handset's own filter alongside it.

Virgin Plus lines run on the Bell network.

What is the best way to block scam calls in Canada?

Stack two layers. Turn on your carrier's network feature first — TELUS Call Control, Rogers Spam Call Detect, or Bell call filtering — then turn on your phone's own filter (Silence Unknown Callers on iPhone, Filter spam calls in the Google Phone app on Android). The network layer stops known and automated traffic; the handset layer catches freshly spoofed numbers the network has not scored yet.

How does TELUS Call Control work?

When a number TELUS does not recognise calls you, the network answers first and asks the caller to press a digit it reads aloud. Robocallers and automated dialers cannot respond, so the call is dropped before your phone rings. Contacts and numbers you have called before are not challenged.

Is Rogers Spam Call Detect free?

Spam Call Detect is included on eligible Rogers wireless lines at no additional charge. It labels suspected spam on your caller ID rather than silently deleting the call, so you can still see what came through.

Where do I report a scam call in Canada?

Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or 1-888-495-8501. If you lost money, also report it to your local police so the file can be linked. Unwanted telemarketing — not fraud — goes to the CRTC's National Do Not Call List at lnnte-dncl.gc.ca. Canadians do not report to the US Federal Trade Commission.

Should I register on the National Do Not Call List?

Yes, it is free and takes a minute, but set expectations: the DNCL binds legitimate Canadian telemarketers. Criminal operations ignore it entirely, which is why the carrier and handset filters matter more for scam calls.

Why does a scam call show a local Canadian number?

Caller ID is easy to spoof, and neighbour spoofing deliberately matches your area code and first three digits so the call looks local. A matching number is never evidence the call is genuine. Hang up and dial the number printed on your bill, card or the organisation's official website.

Do these features block scam texts too?

No. Carrier call filtering handles voice calls only. Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) from Rogers, TELUS or Bell, then delete the message without tapping any link.