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Although you can't stop the bad guys from calling your phone, you can reduce or eliminate the irritation by blocking the calls.

Obtain a call blocking device, app, or phone.  Google (or your favorite search engine) IS your friend!
Realize that the Do Not Call list is NOT a call blocker!

Here are some tried and true methods for reducing or eliminating repeated spam / scam phone calls.   Try whichever one(s) that work for you.

1.  Do not answer the phone if you see an unknown number on your Caller ID ... let it go to answering machine or voicemail.  Many telescammers hang up after three or four rings.

2.  If you have a smartphone, get one of the inexpensive or free phone blocker apps at your online app store, and learn how to use it.  In fact, most newer smartphones have a built-in blocker.  Read the manual!

3.  If your cell is not "smart", read the manual to learn how to set up a "group".  Assign the scammer's phone number to that group.  Also assign a "silent ring" to that group.  You will not hear your phone ring if that number calls you again.

3a.  Alternately, assign a "silent ringtone" as the DEFAULT ringtone.  Then, assign your favorite ringtones to friends, family, contacts, businesses, etc.  That way, you will not hear your phone ring, even if the scammer changes numbers!  (Disadvantage: if you forget to whitelist somebody, you won't hear their calls, either)

4.  For cell phones or landlines: Contact your phone service provider.  They may have a facility or method to allow you to block numbers.

5.  If you buy things online, you might want to google "call blocker" to see what devices or apps Amazon or other sites have to offer for landlines or smartphones.

6.  DO NOT call unknown numbers back without checking who called (800notes is your friend)! All that does is verify your number is "live", and it will be shared among many spammers.  There is an even more dangerous reason ... read this:
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/one-ring-cel ... ing-your-wallet

6a.  Also, be aware that calling a spammer back (or pressing a key to "get on the do not call list") merely verifies that your phone is "live".  You will get even more spam calls!

6b.  There is also a possibility that the CallerID you see is NOT that of the real caller!  The bad guys can spoof or fake what you see on your caller ID, and they can use "real" phone numbers to make you believe the call was from a legitimate company.
https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/spoofing-and-caller-id

    So, the call from "your bank" or "your card issuer" or even your own area code might NOT be from those people!  If the call is related to your finances, identification, health, computer or other critical information, consider calling the real company back, using a phone number on a statement (or the back of the card).

7.  Consider picking up the phone, then immediately hanging up.  A "real" caller will usually  call you again, within seconds.  A robocaller will not.

If you want to report potential fraudulent or scam calls, here is a link to a frequently updated site that displays links to (mostly government) sites in Canada and the USA were you can report those scams, or learn more about them.

http://phonehelp.2truth.com/complaint_sites.html

Information about Government and Telco actions:

The FTC and top communications companies met, to determine what they can do to stop robocalls and other illegal calls.  Here is a link to a frequently updated page, showing the history and progress of their initiatives, as well as recent Congressional bills and industry implementations.

http://www.phonehelp.2truth.com/initiatives.html