NordVPN Debuts Scam Call Protection for Android in an Effort to Help Protect You From Spam Calls
Here's what you need to know about the service and how to enable it on your mobile device.
NordVPN aims to help protect against scam calls
You can easily enable NordVPN's scam call protection from within the NordVPN Android app.
Screenshot/CNET
According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, cybercrime resulted in a staggering $16 billion in stolen money in 2024, which was up 33% compared with 2023. Scams, including scam calls, are a major piece of the cybercrime picture, with investment scams and imposter scams combining to take more than $8 billion from Americans last year, according to Identity Theft Research Center data.
To help combat scam calls, NordVPN has launched a scam call protection feature for its US Android users. Scam call protection analyzes call metadata -- the company says it doesn't access or store call content -- then displays a message indicating whether an incoming call might be a bad actor. NordVPN announced via a blog post that it plans to update its scam call protection with features including the ability to identify legitimate callers, categories for callers such as financial services or healthcare and the ability to report scam numbers.
NordVPN's scam call protection feature is included in the NordVPN Android app, so you don't need to install any additional apps. While scam call protection is built into the NordVPN app on Android, it works independently of your VPN connection, so you don't need to leave your VPN enabled to get scam call warnings. Currently, it's only available for US customers.
Mykolas Dumcius, chief product officer at NordVPN, said in a press release, "We've always been about protecting people's digital lives, and phone scams are a huge part of that threat landscape now. The Scam Call Protection feature is our way of extending that protection beyond just internet browsing because your phone shouldn't be a gateway for scammers either."
You may already have spam call filtration, but it probably can't hurt to try NordVPN's scam call protection
Notably, most cell phone carriers can detect scam calls -- my Verizon plan has spam call filtration. Plus, you may be able to detect and even block some spam calls using your iPhone or Android's software settings, no third-party app required. Apple's iOS 13 and later lets you silence unknown callers, while some Android devices allow you to toggle on settings to filter and block spam phone calls. Nevertheless, it probably can't hurt to try NordVPN's scam call protection, because anything that might reduce the number of messages I get about my car's extended warranty would be great -- I don't even own a car.
Here's how to set up scam call protection in the NordVPN Android app
NordVPN's spam call protection on Android is available to toggle on under the Threat Protection section of the mobile app.
Screenshot/CNET
You can easily enable scam call protection on your Android mobile device in the NordVPN app:
Head to the Threat Protection screen. Toggle on Scam call protection Tap Continue Pick NordVPN as your default caller ID and spam app, then tap Set as default. Tap Allow to let the NordVPN app make and manage phone calls.
NordVPN's scam call protection is another example of VPN companies offering comprehensive cybersecurity services
One growing trend we've witnessed in recent years is VPN companies debuting additional privacy and security amenities beyond just a VPN. For instance, many VPN companies now offer bundles that include password managers, antivirus software or identity theft protection. There are advantages to purchasing a VPN, password manager and anti-malware protection all in one place. For example, you'll only have to keep track of one bill rather than several, you might pay less than going the à la carte route and some services might be consolidated under one app. But if there's a massive price hike, a data breach or underwhelming performance and you need to switch to another provider, shopping for new services can be a challenge.
What does scam call protection mean for Nord?
I don't think it's worth switching to NordVPN exclusively for its Android scam call protection, but if you're in the market for your first-ever VPN or switching from another company, Nord's robust privacy and security feature set makes it a compelling choice.
For more on virtual private networks, learn how to save money on your VPN subscription and discover how to set up a VPN.
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