Scam calls and stolen personal information are problems at every age. The FTC says your best defense against unwanted calls is call blocking and call labeling, and it says to keep documents with personal information in a safe place and shred them before you throw them away. This guide follows that advice and shows where products can help.
This guide starts with the free options, then covers blocking calls, shredding paper, storing important documents and what to do if you have been scammed. GMG does not test products. Our guidance comes from the FTC, the FCC and the specifications stated in the product listings, and we link to each source.
📋Quick Summary
- The FTC says your best defense against unwanted calls is call blocking and call labeling, and that scammers "don't care if you're on the National Do Not Call Registry."
- The Do Not Call Registry is free, and registration never expires. It is a list for telemarketers and it does not block calls.
- The FTC says to keep Social Security and Medicare cards and other documents with personal information in a safe place, and to shred them before you throw them away.
- If you think someone stole your identity, the FTC says to report it at IdentityTheft.gov, where you get a free personal recovery plan.
- Call blockers, shredders and document boxes are everyday products, not medical equipment, so plan to pay for them yourself.
Who it is for
- People who get unwanted calls and want to know which free tools to try first.
- Family members helping a parent protect their phone line and their paperwork.
Who should skip it
- If you already use call blocking and shred your mail, you may not need new equipment.
- If you think you have already lost money or personal information, go to the reporting steps below first. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Start with the free options
Register your home and mobile numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry. It is free, and the FTC says to go to DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register. The FTC says your registration will never expire. The registry tells registered telemarketers what numbers not to call. It stops sales calls from real companies that follow the law, and it does not stop scammers, so use it along with call blocking.
Turn on the call blocking you already have. The FTC says many cell phones have settings that block calls from specific numbers, and features like Do Not Disturb that send calls to voicemail during hours you choose. The FCC says to contact your phone company about the blocking and labeling it offers, and links step-by-step guides for AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Android and iPhone. Some services are free and some charge a fee.
If you think someone stole your identity, go to IdentityTheft.gov. The FTC says you will get a free personal recovery plan with next steps.
The Eldercare Locator, at 1-800-677-1116, connects you to local support resources for older adults and their families. Your state's SHIP counselors can help you read your plan's benefits for free.
Blocking unwanted calls
The FTC says blocking software or devices can stop a lot of unwanted calls, like scam calls and illegal robocalls, before they reach you. It also says call-blocking services might block some calls you want to get. With call labeling, a questionable call still comes through, but your screen shows a label such as "spam" or "scam likely."
On a cell phone, the FTC suggests a call-blocking app, your phone's built-in settings and your provider's services. The FCC says phone companies can automatically enroll customers in call-blocking services, and that you can opt out if you are concerned about missing wanted calls.
If you answer and hear a recording, the FTC says an illegal robocall should get a hang-up and no callback, and that you should not press a number, which could lead to more robocalls. It also says scammers often fake names and numbers on caller ID to look like a government agency such as the Social Security Administration. Our article on Medicare scam calls covers what to watch for with Medicare.
Call blockers for a landline
The FTC says to find out first whether your home phone uses the internet (VoIP). If you get phone service through a cable company or a phone, internet and cable bundle, you probably have VoIP, and the FTC points to internet-based call-blocking services. If your phone is a traditional landline, it suggests a call-blocking device, usually a small box you attach to your phone.
The FTC says some devices use databases of known scam numbers and let you add numbers to block, while others rely on your own list. Some send calls to voicemail, show a blinking light, connect callers to a recording with options so a real caller can still get through, or use lists of approved numbers. Check the listing for the type of phone line it works with, and whether it needs Caller ID service. The FTC says not all scam calls get flagged.
Shredding paperwork
The FTC says to keep your financial records, Social Security and Medicare cards, and any other documents with personal or financial information in a safe place, and to shred them when you decide to get rid of them. If you don't have a shredder, it says to look for a local shred day in your community or use a marker to block out account numbers. It also says to take mail with personal information out of the mailbox as soon as possible.
Shredder listings name the cut type, such as cross-cut or micro-cut, and how many sheets it handles at once. Some state a security level. The table below gives each one as the listing states it.
Storing important documents
The FTC says to keep documents like financial records and Social Security and Medicare cards in a safe place. A lockable box is one way to do that. Listings state the fire and water ratings in their own words, so read the exact rating and the time it covers. The table below gives each one as listed.
Check that the inside is big enough for what you plan to keep. Some listings give interior measurements, and some say whether hanging file folders fit.
If you have been scammed
If you didn't lose money and just want to report a call, the FTC says to visit DoNotCall.gov. If you lost money to a phone scam, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC asks for the number that received the call, the number on your caller ID even if it might be fake, any number you were told to call back, and the date and time if you can.
If you think someone used your personal information, IdentityTheft.gov says it can help you report and recover, and it can create a personal recovery plan with pre-filled forms and letters. It also warns that scammers pretend to be the FTC. The FTC will never threaten you, say you must transfer your money to "protect it," or tell you to withdraw cash or buy gold and give it to someone.
Products that meet these criteria
GMG has not tested these products. Each is listed because its Amazon listing states the features this guide describes, and each was sold by Amazon.com or the brand's own store on the date checked. They are examples of what is available, not recommendations of particular brands. Confirm the type of phone line, the size and the current price before you buy. Product names are paid links.
| Product (Amazon listing) | Type | What the listing states | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPR V5000 Call Blocker for Landline Phonespaid link | Call blocker for a traditional landline | Preloaded with 5,000 known nuisance numbers. A large BLOCK NOW button lets you block a number that gets through. Requires Caller ID service and an analog phone line. No app, no subscription, no power supply. | The listing says it is not compatible with internet-based (VoIP) phone service. Ask your phone company what kind of line you have. |
| Digitone ProSeries 3 Call Blocker Automatic SPAM Blocking for Landline Phonespaid link | Call blocker for a landline | Blocks identified spam calls automatically. A green button lets a blocked caller ring through, and you can add preferred callers. Works with analog corded or cordless phones and fax systems, and with VoIP phone services. Needs Caller ID name and number service. | The listing gives a size of 5 x 3 x 1.5 inches. |
| Fellowes Powershred 12 Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Home Office Paper Shredderpaid link | Cross-cut shredder, 12 sheets | Shreds 12 sheets per pass into 5/32 x 1-9/16 inch cross-cut particles (Security Level P-4). Shreds paper, staples, paper clips, credit cards and unopened junk mail. 5-gallon bin. Runs up to 20 minutes before a cool down. | The listing gives a size of 19.5 inches high, 9.69 wide and 13.44 deep. |
| Amazon Basics 8-Sheet High Security Cross Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder with P-4 Security, Auto Shut-offpaid link | Cross-cut shredder, 8 sheets | Cuts into pieces of about 0.2 x 0.7 inches and meets security level P-4. Shreds up to 8 sheets of 20-pound paper, and credit cards one at a time. 3.7-gallon bin. 3 minute runtime, then a 30 minute cool down. | The listing says not to shred metallic credit cards. |
| Amazon Basics 12 Sheet High Security Micro Cut Paper, Credit Card and CD Shredder with 6 Gallon Easy Emptying Bin, Casterspaid link | Micro-cut shredder, 12 sheets | Micro-cut pieces of 0.2 x 0.5 inches that meet security level P-4. Shreds up to 12 sheets of 20-pound paper, plus CDs, DVDs and credit cards one at a time. 6-gallon bin on casters. 20 minute runtime, then a 20 minute cool down. | A larger machine than the 8-sheet model. The listing gives 14.5 x 10.4 x 20.3 inches. |
| SentrySafe Black Fireproof and Waterproof Safe, File Folder and Document Box with Key Lock, HD4100paid link | Lockable box for files | UL Classified to withstand high temperatures for up to thirty minutes. ETL Verified to protect contents during water exposure. Interior fits hanging file folders. Key lock with two keys. 13.5 x 15.5 x 14.3 inches, 38.8 pounds. | The listing does not give a water exposure time. |
| SentrySafe Fireproof and Waterproof Document Safe with Key Lock (CHW30220)paid link | Lockable box for papers | UL classified for 1/2 hour at 1550°F. ETL verified for 72 hours of water submersion. Interior 12.6 x 9.2 x 5.4 inches. Holds A4-sized paper. Key lock with two keys. 24 pounds. | The interior is 5.4 inches high. Check that your papers fit. |
| SentrySafe Fireproof Safe Box with Key Lock, Chest Safe with Carrying Handle, 0.25 Cubic Feet (1160)paid link | Lockable box with a handle | UL classified for fire endurance (1/2 hour at 1550°F). The listing says it is not water resistant. Interior 3 inches high, 13 wide and 8.75 deep. Key lock with two keys. 17 pounds. | Fire rating only. The listing does not state a water rating. |
Listing details were checked on October 12, 2026 and can change. The FTC notes that call blocking might block some calls you want to get and that not all scam calls get flagged.
- National Do Not Call Registry: Free. Register at DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register.
- Your phone's settings and your phone company: The FTC and FCC point to built-in call blocking, Do Not Disturb hours and services your provider offers.
- IdentityTheft.gov: The federal government's site for reporting identity theft and getting a free recovery plan.
- Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116. A public service that connects you to local support resources for older adults and their families.
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): A free counselor can help you read your plan documents.
Common questions about scam calls and paperwork protection
- Do I need a call blocker if I have a cell phone?
- The FTC describes call-blocking devices for traditional landlines. On a cell phone, it points to a call-blocking app, your phone's built-in settings that block calls from specific numbers, and the call-blocking or call-labeling services your phone provider offers. The FCC says phone companies may enroll customers in call blocking automatically, and that you can opt out if you are concerned about missing wanted calls.
- Will the Do Not Call Registry stop scam calls?
- No. The FTC says the registry is designed to stop unwanted sales calls from real companies that follow the law. It is a list that tells registered telemarketers what numbers not to call, and it does not block calls. It is free, and registration never expires.
- How do I block unwanted calls on a landline?
- The FTC says to find out first whether your phone uses the internet. If it is a traditional landline, consider a call-blocking device that attaches to your phone. If it uses the internet, look at internet-based call-blocking services. Your phone provider can tell you which services it offers.
- What should I do with old papers that have personal information?
- The FTC says to keep documents like financial records and Social Security and Medicare cards in a safe place and to shred them before you throw them away. If you don't have a shredder, look for a local shred day or use a marker to block out account numbers.
- What do I do if I think my identity was stolen?
- The FTC says to report it at IdentityTheft.gov, where you will get a free personal recovery plan with next steps.
- Where do I report a scam call?
- If you did not lose money, the FTC says to report the call at DoNotCall.gov. If you lost money to a phone scam, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Include the number that appears on your caller ID and any number you were told to call back.
✅What This Means For You
Turning 65: Register your numbers with the Do Not Call Registry and turn on your phone's call blocking.
Already on Medicare: Hang up on any call that asks you to confirm benefits or a Medicare number, and report it. Our Medicare scam calls article covers what CMS says to watch for.
IRMAA-affected: Your income doesn't change the steps here. Call blocking, shredding and safe storage apply to everyone.
Medicare Advantage enrollees: Keep your plan's cards and mailings in a safe place too, and shred the ones you no longer need.
Last reviewed . We re-check prices and links every quarter.