Call blockers is helpful, but many telemarketers, if not most, frequently change their phone numbers, so you may have to block countless numbers to keep up with all the numbers used by the same telemarketers and scammers. Very frustrating. Personally, I think never answering the phone unless the display shows the name of someone you recognize is more effective.. Unfortunately, now there are scammers who can sometimes manage to display a number you might associate with someone you know, but it's the scammers actually faking that number. So even if I'm home, I always wait to see if a message is left before I answer the phone, and that determines if I pick up.