Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
The landscape of unwanted calls in Kansas
Kansans report thousands of unsolicited calls every year spanning vehicle warranty scams, fake utility shutoff notices, Medicare impersonation, and sweepstakes bait. Pairing the Kansas No-Call List with the National Do Not Call Registry, strict phone settings, and smart reporting habits dramatically reduces interruptions — and it also starves fraud rings of fresh targets.
“The fastest path to fewer interruptions is layered protection: state + federal registration, device and carrier blocking, and disciplined reporting.”
What the Kansas No-Call List does (and what it can’t do)
Designed to stop:
- Sales calls from most for-profit telemarketers
- Many robocalls (especially those using autodialers to sell goods/services)
- Repeat calls from the same seller after you’ve opted out
Not blocked by the registry:
- Political outreach
- Charitable solicitations
- Pure surveys without a sales pitch
- Debt collection calls
- Informational/service calls (appointment reminders, school alerts)
- Calls from companies you gave permission to contact you (consent can be revoked)
Key idea: the Kansas list complements, but doesn’t replace, federal protections enforced by the FTC and FCC. You’ll register in both places for maximum coverage.
Step-by-step: Registering your number in Kansas (and federally)
1) Add your number(s) to the federal registry
- Go to the National Do Not Call Registry.
- Add mobile, landline, and VoIP residential numbers (you can register multiple).
- Confirm via the verification email — registration is permanent.
2) Add your number(s) for Kansas enforcement
- Visit the Kansas Attorney General website and follow the No-Call instructions/links.
- Submit each number, then keep your confirmation.
- Protections generally take effect within 31 days (many see improvements sooner).
3) Verify enrollment later
- Use the federal site’s check status and the Kansas AG site’s tools to confirm you’re listed.
- Re-check if you port numbers, change carriers, or add a new line.
What counts as “prior business relationship” (and how to revoke it)
A prior business relationship typically means you bought, inquired, or applied for something with the business recently. That consent can be withdrawn any time:
Say this and hang up:
“Please place this number on your internal Do Not Call list. I revoke any prior consent to be called. Thank you.”
Federal rules require sellers to maintain an internal DNC list and honor your request. Keep a call log so you can document non-compliance.
Powerful device settings that cut calls by 60–90%
iPhone (iOS 17/18)
- Silence Unknown Callers: Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers (routes strangers to voicemail)
- Filter SMS: Settings → Messages → Filter Unknown Senders
- Report Junk: Within Messages → Info → Report Junk
- Focus Modes: Silence calls not in your contacts during work/sleep
Android (Pixel/Samsung)
- Spam Block: Phone app → Settings → Caller ID & spam → Filter spam calls
- Silence Unknown Callers: Phone app → Settings → Blocked numbers → “Unknown”
- Messages Protection: Messages → Settings → Spam protection → On
- Do Not Disturb: Allow calls from starred favorites only
Tip: Start strict (only contacts can ring) and loosen gradually if you miss important calls.
Carrier-level tools you should enable
Most Kansans can enable at least one free carrier block:
- AT&T: ActiveArmor (free tier available)
- Verizon: Call Filter (free tier)
- T-Mobile: Scam Shield (free tier)
Turn on network-side blocking first (it catches known bad numbers before your phone rings), then layer a reputable third-party app only if necessary.
Third-party call blocking apps: when and how to use them
Apps such as Hiya or RoboKiller maintain dynamic block lists and can auto-screen calls with customizable rules. Use sparingly; some users prefer a “notifications-only” mode so legitimate business calls aren’t missed. Evaluate monthly.
Pro tip: Set an allowlist for doctors, schools, banks, and caregiving contacts so they always ring through.
Text message spam: the Kansas playbook
- Report it: forward the message to 7726 (SPAM) from your carrier’s SMS app.
- Block & delete: don’t tap links or reply (even “STOP” confirms your number is active to crooks).
- Filter: enable built-in spam filters in Messages (iOS) or Google Messages (Android).
Your Kansas call-logging worksheet (copy-and-use)
date: 2025-__-__
time: __:__
caller_id: "+1-___-___-____"
claimed_company: ""
call_type: "robocall | live sales | charity | political | survey | debt"
message_summary: ""
your_request: "Asked for internal DNC | revoked consent | hung up"
prior_business_relationship: "yes | no | unsure"
registered_on_dnc: "yes | no"
attachment: "audio_clip_2025-__-__.m4a"
notes: ""
Keeping this record (even for a week) strengthens complaints to the Kansas AG and FTC.
Filing high-impact complaints (that actually trigger action)
- FTC complaint: donotcall.gov → Report Unwanted Calls
- FCC complaint: fcc.gov → Consumer Complaint Center → Unwanted Calls
- Kansas AG complaint: ag.ks.gov → Consumer Protection → File a Complaint
Attach your call log and, if legal in your situation, a short recording. (Kansas is a one-party consent state for recordings you are part of, but confirm your situation before recording.) The more detail you provide (scripts used, spoofed numbers, callback digits), the more likely enforcement can connect dots across cases.
Understanding call spoofing (and why some “local” calls look familiar)
Scammers spoof caller ID to look like a neighbor, school district, or utility. This is where STIR/SHAKEN (network-level caller authentication) helps carriers verify caller identity. You’ll sometimes see labels like “Verified Caller” or “Potential Spam.” Treat unverified unknown calls with extra skepticism.
Business lines, home-based businesses, and B2B calls in Kansas
- The No-Call rules focus heavily on residential and wireless numbers used primarily for personal purposes.
- B2B marketing calls generally have different rules (and fewer restrictions).
- If you run a home-based business, consider isolating your business line, using a VoIP number, and publishing a virtual office address to avoid cross-contamination with your personal number.
Special guidance for seniors and caregivers
- Add emergency contacts to Favorites so they always ring.
- Use contact posters or distinct ringtones for family and medical providers.
- Pre-write a short script near the phone: “I don’t conduct business by phone. Remove this number and mail written information.”
- Assign a trusted caregiver to help enable blocking tools, review logs weekly, and handle complaints.
Exempt calls: what to do when they won’t stop
Even allowed callers (charities, surveys) must honor an internal do-not-call if you ask.
Say this politely and hang up:
“Please add this number to your internal Do Not Call list and do not call again.”
Note the organization’s name and the time. If they keep calling, you can still file complaints citing repeated contact after an explicit opt-out.
Dealing with debt collection calls
Collectors are generally exempt from the registries, but they must follow federal debt collection laws. If they’re calling the wrong person or violating contact rules (e.g., calling before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. local time), you can:
- Tell them they have the wrong number and to stop calling.
- Request written validation of the debt.
- Document the pattern — then file with the CFPB and Kansas AG.
When scammers pretend to be utilities, banks, or government
A few common scam tells:
- Demands for payment by gift card, crypto, or wire
- Threats of immediate arrest, shutoff, or legal action
- Callback numbers that don’t match official websites
Always hang up and call back using the published number on your bill, card, or agency site.
Your “when in doubt” flowchart
- Unknown number? Send to voicemail.
- Voicemail says “urgent”? Call the official number, not the one left in the message.
- Live agent launches into script? Request internal DNC and hang up.
- Still recurring? Log & report to FTC/FCC/Kansas AG.
Why your number leaks — and how to plug the leaks
Many telemarketers source numbers from data brokers and “lead generators.” Reduce exposure at the source:
- Avoid entering phone numbers in sweepstakes and “free quote” sites.
- Use a secondary number (Google Voice/VoIP) for signups.
- Periodically opt out from people-search and broker sites.
- Don’t share numbers on public social profiles.
- Audit settings on your e-commerce accounts (auto-share toggles).
The role of Remove Online Information (ROI)
Even perfect registry compliance won’t silence calls if your number is sold and resold on broker lists. Remove Online Information focuses on the upstream problem:
- Bulk broker opt-outs (vs. one-off removals)
- Monitoring to catch re-listings and new exposures
- Suppression strategies that limit future data resale
- Tailored plans for families, public-facing professionals, and at-risk individuals
Ready to stop unwanted calls at the source? Start here: Remove Online Information.
Practical toolkit (copy/paste, print, or save)
A) Internal Do-Not-Call request (short script)
“Place this number on your internal Do Not Call list. I revoke any prior consent. Do not call again.”
B) Callback verification habit
1) Let it go to voicemail.
2) Search the official number on a trusted site (bank/utility/agency).
3) Call back the official number only.
C) Weekly privacy hygiene (10 minutes)
- Clear missed calls & block unknown repeaters
- Report spam texts to 7726
- Review carrier app for new “high risk” flags
- Add new legitimate numbers to Contacts
Deep dive: exemptions and edge cases
- Nonprofits & political: They can call, but must honor internal do-not-call if you ask.
- Informational robocalls: School closures, weather alerts, and flight changes are allowed (no sales pitch).
- Established business relationship: If you bought something recently or requested a quote, you might see a temporary uptick in calls. Revoke consent explicitly to stop them.
- Wrong-party calls: If collectors or service providers are calling for someone else, state it clearly once. If it continues, log and report.
Accessibility & language options
- Carriers and major apps offer large type, high-contrast, and voice-over settings.
- For multilingual households, save translated versions of your internal DNC script to use quickly.
- If hearing-impaired, enable real-time text (RTT) and visual voicemail to review unknown callers safely.
What success looks like (timeline expectations)
- Week 1: Registry submissions; device/carrier blocks enabled; immediate reduction in obvious robocalls
- Week 4: Most legitimate telemarketers stop; only exemptions and hard-core scammers persist
- Month 2–3: Complaint data builds; repeat offenders get filtered or pursued; you’re down to rare interruptions
FAQ: Kansas No-Call List (expanded)
No. State and federal registration are free.
Expect improvements within days; allow 31 days for full compliance from legitimate telemarketers.
They’re exempt. Use device/carrier blocking, let them go to voicemail, and request internal removal if a live caller is used.
Recycled numbers often inherit spam histories. Strict filters early on help “cool down” activity.
Registries primarily protect residential and mobile lines. For business numbers, rely on device/carrier tools and vendor-specific opt-outs.
Federal registration does not expire. Kansas protections are ongoing; re-verify after number changes.
Kansas generally allows one-party consent for recordings you participate in, but confirm your circumstances and use recordings only for lawful purposes.
By eliminating your phone number from broker lists that telemarketers buy, then monitoring for re-listings to keep your exposure low.
Quick checklist for Kansans
- ✅ Register numbers on donotcall.gov
- ✅ Follow Kansas AG guidance at ag.ks.gov
- ✅ Enable strict device and carrier blocking
- ✅ Ask callers for internal DNC and hang up
- ✅ Log calls and submit targeted complaints
- ✅ Remove your number from data broker sites (DIY or professional help)
- ✅ Teach family members the callback verification habit
- ✅ Re-verify registry status after number or carrier changes
The Kansas No-Call List sets a solid foundation, but it’s most effective when paired with device settings, carrier blocks, disciplined reporting, and upstream broker removals. That layered approach is what actually changes your day-to-day.
If you’d like a partner to handle the heavy lifting — from bulk broker opt-outs to continuous monitoring — the team at Remove Online Information can help you reduce exposure and keep your number off the lists that feed telemarketers.
Start here: Remove Online Information
Works Cited (MLA)
Federal Communications Commission. Stop Unwanted Robocalls and Texts. FCC, 2025, www.fcc.gov.
Federal Trade Commission. National Do Not Call Registry. FTC, 2025, www.donotcall.gov.
Kansas Attorney General. No-Call Act & Consumer Protection. State of Kansas, 2025, ag.ks.gov.
U.S. Congress. TRACED Act. 2019, www.congress.gov.
Electronic Frontier Foundation. Phone Privacy and Robocalls. EFF, 2025, www.eff.org.
