My phone number is being used by 3rd party spam/scam

[Ferryboat]

Numerous phone calls from people asking whats up, why I called. Ignored and blew off everyone as no big deal until someone implored me not to hang up and listen.

Told me a that my number was being used by someone overseas as cover and that I needed to contact my carrier and insist on a spam block filter to prevent others from using it. Apparently its being used by a 3rd party.

So contacted carrier asked for a filter. Question is what other measures should I take? Giving up my number which I have had for 20 years would be a issue I wish to avoid.

Any suggestions?

Android system