Stop unwanted calls and robocalls with simple, effective strategies. Learn how to use the National Do Not Call Registry, ...

They are a nuisance that seemingly never end: unwanted robocalls. In February, automated telemarketing phone calls spiked, hitting 4.6 billion nationwide.

The new law gives authorities more enforcement powers and could speed up measures to identify robocalls. And when phone companies block robocalls, they must do so without charging consumers.

Many smartphones come with built-in features to detect and block spam calls, but you can also use apps specifically designed for blocking robocalls.

The Federal Communications Commission said Wednesday that it will vote in June on whether to let wireless carriers block spam calls by default, which should mean that more spam calls are blocked.