# FCC Releases Robocall Blocking Guides

> FCC launches step-by-step guides to block robocalls and scam texts on phones and carriers
- Title: FCC Releases Robocall Blocking Guides · Dallas Express
- Summary: FCC launches step-by-step guides to block robocalls and scam texts on phones and carriers Consumers can activate existing call-blocking and text-filtering…
- Keywords: fcc, robocalls, scam texts, call blocking, text filtering, federal communications commission, brendan carr, national do not call registry, youmail, at&t, t-mobile, verizon
- Source: Dallas Express — https://dallasexpress.com/national/illegal-robocalls-still-hit-billions-a-year-fcc-shows-how-to-block-them
- Author: Dallas Express
- Published: 2026-09-23T14:36:06+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: fcc, robocalls, scam texts, call blocking, text filtering, federal communications commission, brendan carr, national do not call registry, youmail, at&t, t-mobile, verizon
## FCC Announces New Guides
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr released step-by-step guides to activate call-blocking and text-filtering tools on smartphones and wireless carriers.
## No New Laws Created
The guides do not create new laws or replace the National Do Not Call Registry but consolidate existing phone and carrier features.
## Free Tools Available
Basic blocking and filtering tools are free or included with wireless service, with paid upgrades offered by carriers.
## How Guides Work
Consumers select instructions based on their device and carrier, like iPhone with T-Mobile.
## Carrier-Specific Tools
Carriers offer services like AT&T ActiveArmor, T-Mobile Scam Shield, and Verizon Call Filter for scam protection.
## FCC Recommends Dual Protection
The FCC advises using both device-level and carrier-level tools rather than relying on just one.
## Robocall Scale
Americans received 52.5 billion robocalls in 2025, down slightly from 52.8 billion in 2024.
## Scam Texts Reach Billions
Over 29.6 billion scam robocalls and texts were reported in 2025, costing nearly $2 billion.
## Attorney General Coalition
50 attorneys general joined a coalition urging the FCC to strengthen customer-vetting rules for phone companies.
## Do Not Call Registry
The National Do Not Call Registry has over 258 million active registrations and 2.6 million complaints in 2025.
## Historical Efforts
The FTC launched the National Do Not Call Registry in 2003, and the TRACED Act passed in 2019 to combat robocalls.
## FCC Upstream Rules
The FCC expanded rules to require all providers in a call path to use do-not-originate lists for illegal calls.
## North Texas Targeted
Scammers have targeted North Texas with fake toll charges and impersonation calls from law enforcement.
## What Guides Can't Do
Even with all filters enabled, consumers may still receive unwanted calls or have legitimate calls blocked.
## Key takeaway

Consumers can activate existing call-blocking and text-filtering tools without new fees