--- title: "Call Blocking & Spam Prevention" slug: "call-blocking-spam-prevention" description: "End unwanted calls and spam. Learn how to block callers and safeguard your privacy." tags: ["block contacts", "call blocking", "call rating", "robocalls", "Settings ", "Spam"] updated: 2026-02-02T17:43:41Z published: 2026-02-02T17:43:41Z --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.dialpad.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Call Blocking & Spam Prevention Dialpad uses both an automatic spam blocking system, which applies to any call or fax entering the platform, and user-level settings that provide more granular control over how calls and faxes to your Dialpad number are handled. Let's take a look at call blocking and spam prevention in Dialpad. > [!NOTE] > Who does this apply to? > > Spam prevention measures apply to inbound [calls](/v1/docs/make-a-call), [SMS/MMS messages](/v1/docs/send-a-message), and [faxes](/v1/docs/send-receive-a-fax) to your Dialpad number. ## Automatic spam blocking Dialpad relies on the spam score tied to inbound calls to determine whether or not to allow them to reach an individual user. Inbound calls with a spam score of 100 (the highest possible) are automatically blocked from reaching users in Dialpad. Reliable third-party sources feed information to Dialpad on each inbound call, declaring the spam score. If a caller or sender is being sent to spam due to our automatic spam prevention, adding them as a contact will prevent them from being blocked. ## Custom spam blocking Users can also set individual parameters regarding spam calls and SMS/MMS messages to their Dialpad account. To configure your spam settings, go to **Your Settings**. 1. Select **Call Handling & Voicemail** 2. Navigate to**Call Blocking & Spam Prevention** ![User interface showing settings with Call Handling and Voicemail settings displayed. Call Blocking & Spam Prevention options are highlighted](https://cdn.us.document360.io/0f28ad44-2863-4372-a27e-c6728808d742/Images/Documentation/Custom_Spam_Blocking.png) 3. Choose whether or not to prevent calls and messages from anonymous phone numbers, phone numbers already not in your Contacts list, and phone numbers with a high spam score. 1. If you opt-in to prevent any of these calls or messages, you'll see these options: | **Send to voicemail and directly to the Spam folder — no notification** | Calls and messages will not ring your devices; missed calls, messages, and voicemails will be sent to the spam folder in your inbox automatically. | | --- | --- | | **Send to voicemail, but show me a real-time transcription.** | Calls and messages will not ring your devices; if the caller leaves a voicemail, you'll see the transcript of the message. | | **Play caller's name when I pick up** | - Callers will be asked to state their names in order to be connected. - Callers hear an IVR that says, 'Hello, please state your name after the tone, and Dialpad will try to connect your call' before ringing your devices. - Upon picking up, you'll hear, 'Hello, [name] is trying to reach you via Dialpad; press 1 to accept this call'. > [!NOTE] > Note > > This doesn’t apply to callers already in your address book. | > [!NOTE] > Note > > Blocked SMS messages will not receive a notification that their message was blocked regardless of the settings (above). Any changes will immediately take effect in the Dialpad app. ## View spam interactions To view interactions flagged as spam, go to your **Dialpad app**: 1. Navigate to your **Inbox** 2. Select **Spam** ![User interface showing Spam tab in a user Inbox.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/0f28ad44-2863-4372-a27e-c6728808d742/Images/Documentation/View_Spam.png) Here, you’ll see a list of calls, SMS/MMS messages, and faxes marked as spam. If the caller left a voicemail, you can listen to it, or read the transcript. ## Un-mark as Spam If an interaction appears as spam but isn't, Dialpad makes it easy to unmark the interaction to ensure it isn’t flagged again. To unmark an interaction as spam, go to your **Dialpad app**: 1. Navigate to your**Inbox**and select **Spam** 2. Hover over the message, then select **Options > Not Spam**![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/0f28ad44-2863-4372-a27e-c6728808d742/Images/Documentation/image-1746747470180.png) ## Manage blocked contacts & numbers To manage blocked contacts and numbers, head to your **Dialpad app**: 1. Navigate to **Contacts** 2. Select **Blocked** **![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/0f28ad44-2863-4372-a27e-c6728808d742/Images/Documentation/image-1746747720310.png)** 3. Select the name of the blocked contact/number 4. Select **Unblock** from the banner at the top of the conversation thread, or select **Unblock contact** from the contact profile on the sidebar **![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/0f28ad44-2863-4372-a27e-c6728808d742/Images/Documentation/image-1746747744132.png)** > [!NOTE] > Note > > Blocking a contact will block voice calls, SMS/MMS messages, and faxes. Visit this [Help Center article](/v1/docs/block-a-number) to learn more about blocking a number. ## Frequently asked questions ### How can I tell if a number has been flagged as spam? When an incoming call is flagged as spam or potential spam, it will be indicated in the incoming call notification. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/0f28ad44-2863-4372-a27e-c6728808d742/Images/Documentation/spam call.png) ### Will I be charged if a blocked or spam number sends a message? No charge applies if the number is blocked, because messages from blocked numbers don’t come through. However, if a number is marked as spam and routed to voicemail, the voicemail is delivered to your Dialpad inbox and uses credits, which results in a charge. ## Related - [Block a Number](/block-a-number.md) - [Adjust Your Meetings Settings](/adjust-your-meetings-settings.md) - [How to prevent being flagged as a SPAM caller](/how-to-prevent-being-flagged-as-a-spam-caller.md) - [Manage a Contact Center](/manage-a-contact-center.md)