AT&T ActiveArmor — the free setup
If you're on AT&T, you already pay for a network-level spam filter. Most people just never install the app that turns it all the way on.
What the free tier gives you
- Fraud call blocking — calls AT&T's network identifies as outright fraud are blocked before your phone rings. This is on by default for most postpaid lines.
- Spam risk labels — suspected spam shows up tagged on your caller ID so you know not to answer.
- Nuisance call controls — in the app you can block or send-to-voicemail whole categories (telemarketers, surveys, robocalls) instead of playing whack-a-mole with numbers.
- Unknown-caller handling — route callers who aren't in your contacts straight to voicemail.
Set it up
- Install AT&T ActiveArmor from your app store (it replaced the old AT&T Call Protect app).
- Sign in with your AT&T number and let it activate on your line.
- Open Calls → Blocking and turn on fraud blocking plus the nuisance categories you never want to hear from.
- Decide how aggressive to go: labels only (safe), or auto-block categories (stronger, small risk of catching a legit robocall like a pharmacy reminder).
There's a paid ActiveArmor tier that adds security extras like public-Wi-Fi protection and reverse number lookup — nice-to-haves, not needed for call blocking. Check AT&T for current pricing.
Honest verdict
ActiveArmor is a solid free baseline — network-level, zero effort once enabled. Its ceiling is the same as every reputation filter: it recognizes numbers that already have a record. Fresh spoofed numbers and neighbor-spoofed calls walk right past it, and its answer to gray-area calls is a label that still interrupts you. Pair it with your iPhone or Android device settings, and let Spam Slayer handle the unknowns conversationally — real callers reach you, fresh scam numbers meet the crew.