> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.limecall.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.limecall.com/ai-receptionist/spam-and-blocking.md).

# Spam & blocking

Keep junk and specific callers away from the AI.

Open **AI Receptionist → Spam & Blocking**.

Every AI minute spent on a robocall is one you paid for.

## Screen spam and robocalls

**Screen spam & robocalls** detects automated and nuisance calls and stops them reaching the assistant.

Detection uses call characteristics and reputation data. It is not perfect in either direction, so review what it catches for the first week.

## Blocking specific callers

**Never let the AI answer these people** is an explicit block list, by phone number.

Use it for:

* persistent nuisance callers,
* cold-callers who keep coming back,
* numbers you would rather route to a person.

Blocked callers do not reach the assistant. Set what they get instead — a message, voicemail, or a plain disconnect.

## Blocking from a call record

The quickest route is after the fact. On any call in **Calls** or lead in **Leads**, choose **Block it**. If you block something by mistake, **Not spam** reverses it.

## Anonymous and withheld numbers

Decide how to handle calls with no caller ID. Many are legitimate — people calling from switchboards or with privacy settings on — so blocking them outright loses real customers.

A reasonable middle ground is to let them through but not apply caller memory, since there is no number to match on.

## International calls

If you only serve one country, calls from unexpected international ranges are worth screening. This also limits exposure to toll-fraud patterns that target inbound numbers.

If you do serve internationally, do not enable this — you will block customers.

## What blocking does not do

Blocking is per-account and applies to your numbers only. It does not report the caller to anyone, and it does not stop them calling — it stops them reaching your assistant.

## Reviewing

Check the blocked and screened calls periodically. If real customers are being caught, loosen the screening; if junk is getting through, add the numbers to the block list.

Every blocked call is AI minutes you did not spend — see [AI minutes & usage](/ai-receptionist/ai-minutes-and-usage.md).