It is such a nuisance to receive unwanted calls to your landline every time of the day or night. Unfortunately, this is the reality that many people experience and they are at a loss at what to do to enjoy some peace and quiet at home. The good news though is that there is a solution and it is possible to finally have peace at home. The best way to keep these unwanted calls at bay is through call blocking. Block phone numbers on a landline is simply using technology or devices to stop unwanted calls.
Many of these calls are scam calls, telemarketers, or Robocalls which are not even legal in the first place. It does not matter if you are using a traditional landline phone, a VoIP landline phone, or a smartphone. Every phone has options that you can activate or install to block unwanted calls. It is important to note though that it is possible to block some legitimate calls. You can also use third-party services to block phone numbers on your landline.
If you want to know more about how to block phone numbers on a landline, read on!
Voice Over Internet Phone
There are two main types of landline telephones. The first type and which most people are quite familiar with are the traditional landline phones. But there is a second type of landline phone which uses a technology known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). What this means is that instead of your phone using cables to make and receive phone calls, it uses the internet to make the calls. If you are not very sure of the type of landline that you operate, it is easy to find out by asking your carrier.
The good news is that it is possible to activate the call blocking feature even on your VoIP phone. Call your provider and ask them for information on a call blocking service provider if they do not offer the service by themselves which is quite rare.
As earlier stated give your service provider a call and see the available options. Some carriers will offer the call-blocking services for free while others might charge for the service.
Block Phone Numbers on a Traditional Landline Phone in 2024
The second type of landline is the traditional landline phone which uses cables. The good news though is that it is possible to block unwanted calls. Below are the ways by which you can block nuisance calls on a traditional phone.
1. Call Blocking Device
The first option that you have for blocking unwanted calls is by using a call blocking device. Call blocking devices are small gadgets that you attach to your phone and they block spam and Robocalls.
Some devices already have known scam numbers programmed to them which means that when the number makes a call, it will not come through and will go straight to voice mail. The good thing is that it is possible for you to add more numbers to the pre-programmed list. Other call blocking devices do not have any pre-programmed numbers and it is up to you to manually add the phone numbers that you want to block on your landline.
When you add the numbers to the blacklist, the device can stop the call from coming through, send the call to voice mail, show you that there is a call from a blacklisted number by blinking.
Some of the devices also have a feature where you can set up the time which you want to let calls through. Other call blocking devices try to get rid of Robocalls by prompting the caller to press a number in order to go ahead with the call. The choice of a call blocking device depends on your preference and the features that you seek. The good news though is that call blocking devices are a great way of keeping unwanted calls at bay.
2. Contacting Your Service Provider
Another very effective way of keeping unwanted calls at bay is by contacting your service provider. You can simply reach them through email or give them a call. As earlier stated, some service providers offer call-blocking services at a price while others offer the service for free.
3. Pressing A Code
Since calls from telemarketers and other scammers are a real nuisance, many carriers give their customers the option of dialing code to keep off the unwanted calls. If you are on the Verizon network, you will need to dial *67 to activate the call blocking feature. Other networks including AT&T use *60 as the code to activate the call blocking feature.
Below Is A Detailed Guide On How To Use These Codes To Block Unwanted Codes.
To activate the call block feature, lift up the headset on your landline and wait for the dial tone. Once you hear the tone, dial*60, or *67 depending on your service provider. By dialing the characters, you will successfully activate the call blocking feature.
After pressing the characters, you will hear a prerecorded voice which will inform you if the call blocking feature is off. Just in case it is off, the voice prompt will guide you on how to turn on the call blocking feature.
Adding a number to the blocked numbers list is extremely easy. All you have to do is key it in after pressing *60 or *67. The number will remain in the blocked call list until you remove it from the blacklist. It is important to note that some service providers have a limit on the number of unwanted calls that you can add to the blacklist. Some allow a maximum of 6 to 12 numbers.
It Is Also Possible To Block Anonymous Calls.
If you do not want to receive calls from anonymous numbers, then it is possible to add then to the block list. Dial *77 and once you activate this feature, it is impossible for anybody who calls with a private number to get through.
Once a person calls with an anonymous or private number, they will get a voice message informing them to reveal their caller ID so that the call can get through. The feature only works on numbers that register as “Anonymous”, “Unknown” or “Private Name”. If a call has a caller ID, then it will come through even if it from an unwanted caller.
If for one reason or another you would like to allow phone numbers with blocked IDs to go through. It is possible to deactivate the feature. All you need to do is press*87 and the call blocking feature will be deactivated.
4. Use Additional Features Or Third Party Companies
Another great option of blocking unwanted calls is by using third party tools by engaging companies that offer these services.
Anonymous Call Rejection
One of the tools that you can use to block unwanted calls is Anonymous Call rejection service offered by some third party companies.
You have to note though that the application is turned off when you install it and you have to turn it on. The tool only blocks private and anonymous calls. If the call is unknown, out of the area, unavailable or not provided, the tool will not stop the call and it will come through.
Call Rejection Feature
Another tool that you can get from third-party vendors is known as call rejection. With this tool, you choose the phone numbers that want to block and add them to a list on your landline. This means that when a person on the list calls you, they will not get through.
When a person on the blocked list starts to call you, they hear a prerecorded message which informs them that you are not accepting any incoming calls.
It is important to note that the call rejection feature is most effective with local calls. However, it also works well with some long-distance calls. In most cases, you will have to order the service from the third-party vendor which will then be added to your account. As with the anonymous call rejection tool, you have to switch it on since it is usually turned off. You should not fret since turning the feature on is quite easy and you will find a ton of material from the third party website explaining the process in detail.
With this feature, it is possible to block up to 10 phone numbers on your landline phone. However, in some areas, it is possible to block a higher number.
5. National Do Not Call Registry
Another avenue that you can use to block unwanted calls is through the National Do Not Call Registry. The body which is under the Federal Trade Commission is mandated to stop telemarketers and other companies from making calls to any number found on the registry. You should note though that the body does not have the mandate to block calls and therefore does not and cannot block calls from telemarketers even if your number is on the register.
The advantage of being on the registry is that it makes it possible to identify scam calls or unscrupulous companies. Since law-abiding companies do not call numbers on the register, you will realize that companies that call you despite your name being on the register are up to no good or are outright scammers.
Even if the caller is not a scammer, it is not advisable to do business with a person who does not respect your privacy and breaks the law.
Another great feature of using the service is that it is free to register your number or numbers on the platform. You should note though that it takes up to 31 days after registering your number for telemarketers to cease from calling you. It is possible to file a complaint once your number has been in the list for more than 31 days and a telemarketer calls you.
However, there are some legitimate businesses that might still call you even if your number is on the list. It is still possible for charities, not for profit organizations, political organizations, and telephone surveyors to call you even if you do not want to receive their calls.
Please note that it is not against the law for companies that you have bought from in the last 18 months to call you even if your number is on the list. At times, you might also give other companies permission to contact you. If they do so, you cannot file a complaint even if your number is on the list. It is therefore important to read the fine print before signing any agreement.
If you want to stop a company from calling you, then you should request them to add your number to their internal do not call list. Failure to honor this agreement is against the law and you can sue the company. Note the date that you made the request to be added to the no-call list. Knowing the date will make it easier to make a legal complaint against the company should they call you afterward!
6. Change Of The Directory Listing
Directory listings are also other avenues by which telemarketers and scammers get a hold of your name and phone number. Therefore changing your listing on the directory can make it impossible for the telemarketers to get a hold of your number.
It is possible to request that your listing be transferred to the semi-private category. Numbers in this category do not appear on the printed telephone directory, you can only get them through Directory Assistance.
You can also request your number to be on the non-published or private listing. In this category, your number, name, and address are neither found on the printed directory neither are they available through Directory Assistance.
Understanding Spoofing or Fake Number Scams
It is quite common for scammers to use fake numbers or what is known as “spoofing” to solicit cash from unsuspecting members of the public. The scammers make their numbers to appear like those of a government agency and solicit cash from the public by telling you to wire cash or use a gift card to pay them a certain amount.
Another common scam is known as neighbor spoofing. Here the scammers use your area code to trick you into answering the phone. In most cases, the number used belongs to a real person but they usually have no idea that their number is being used for illegal activities.
What You Should Do In Such a Case?
If you receive a call or calls from a number that you believe is spoofed, report the number immediately to the FTC. The information you provide is very helpful as it helps the government institution truck down the scammers.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
What are Robocalls?
A Robocall is basically where you hear a recorded voice on the other end of the call instead of a live person. You should also know that it is illegal for companies to sell you a product using Robot calls unless you have given the company written permission to sell you stuff in this manner. If a company does not honor the law and goes ahead to call you using a Robocall, then you should not conduct business with such a company.
Can call blocking stop Robocalls?
Yes, it is very much possible to stop Robocalls and other unwanted calls through call blocking. You can either use a call blocking device, use call blocking services from your service provider or from trusted third party providers.
Is it possible for unwanted calls to get through?
Yes, it is possible for some unwanted calls including Robocalls to get through. However, you should not receive a Robocall as receiving the call will prompt more Robocalls. Once you realize that it is a Robocall, you should hang up immediately. You should also report the call to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Are there legal Robocalls or calls from telemarketers?
Some Robocalls are legal. It is possible to receive calls from charities, political parties, and other not for profit organizations. Such calls are legal if they are only informational. However, once they try to sell you something, the calls become illegal. It is also possible to receive calls from companies you have made a purchase from in the last 18 months. However, you should request the company to add you to their internal do not call list. If they call you after you submit your request, then you can file a case against the company.
Final Recap
Unwanted calls can be a nuisance. It does not matter if you are using a mobile phone or landline. Many unwanted calls come from scammers or telemarketers who might be selling products that you do not have an interest in. The good news though is that there are a number of ways to keep these irritating calls at bay.
First, you can install a call blocking device on your landline, you can also use call blocking services from your provider or from trusted third party providers. Another way that you can keep the calls away is by registering your number with the National Do Not Call Registry.
