Various phone service providers provide phone number blocking services that allow users to block certain phone numbers from being able to call them. This is the main way to block phone calls, but it's not the only way. If you are frequently contacted on the phone by unwanted parties or bothered by telemarketers, here are some ways to block those calls.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Blocking Certain Numbers on Landlines
Step 1. Contact your phone service provider
Ask the customer service representative if there is a call blocking feature.
- If a call blocking feature is available, ask to activate it. There may be a monthly fee for the call blocking feature.
- Most phone service providers offer a variety of call blocking services, although these may not include blocking certain numbers.
Step 2. Press *60 on your phone
If you pick up your landline, wait for the dial tone to dial the code. The call blocking feature will be activated on your phone.
Listen to a recorded voice telling you whether the phone blocking service has been activated or not and how many phone numbers have been blocked from reaching your phone number. Also listen to instructions on how to turn on the call blocking service, if it's not currently active
Step 3. Enter the phone number to be blocked
This number will remain in your directory until you manually delete it or disable the call blocking feature altogether.
- Follow the instructions from the automated message to add the phone number to the call block list on your phone. There are various Instructions that are specific, depending on the provider of the phone number, but usually include instructions for pressing a specific button and then adding a phone number.
- Enter the area code and the first phone number you want to block, then press the # key. Repeat this step until you have entered all the phone numbers you want to block.
- Some telephone service providers limit the number of phone numbers that can be blocked from 6 to 12 numbers.
Step 4. Remove a number from the block list
If you decide to unblock a specific number, press *60 again and follow the instructions from the recording that is playing.
- The exact instructions for deleting a number vary from phone service provider, but in general you will be asked to press a certain button and enter the phone number you wish to remove from the call block list.
- Review the numbers that are on your block list by pressing a specific number dictated by automatic instructions. Hear the voice from your phone read out the list of blocked numbers.
- Delete the old blocked phone number if the blocking directory is full. To add a new number to the directory, previously there was an old number that had to be removed.
Step 5. Hang up the phone
When you have finished changing your block list, end the automatic call.
- The blocked number will receive a message that the phone service provider cannot fulfill their call. Your phone will not ring when a blocked number tries to call.
- To deactivate the call blocking feature, press *80 when you hear a dial tone.
Method 2 of 4: Blocking Unknown Calls on Landlines
Step 1. Dial *77 on your phone after you hear the dial tone
Unknown number blocking will be activated on landlines. Note that this service is only available if you have Caller ID.
- Listen for a confirmation tone or announcement indicating that the feature has been activated.
- Callers who block the display of their name and number will hear an automatic voice recording notifying them that you are not receiving the blocked call. They will be directed to unblock their Caller ID and call you again.
- Caller numbers listed as “Anonymous”, “Personal Name”, or “Unknown” will be blocked from being able to call you. This feature does not cover unknown people who have not blocked their Caller ID.
Step 2. Press *87 after hearing the dial tone to turn it off
If you want to allow calls from unknown names and numbers, press this code to disable the feature.
You will hear a confirmation tone or announcement that the feature has been disabled. Unknown or previously blocked numbers and names can now reach you
Method 3 of 4: Blocking Calls on Mobile
Step 1. Block specific number
Press the menu button on your phone, then go to “Settings.”
- Go to “Phone” or “Phone Settings” and select “Call” or “Incoming Call.” Press “Blocked Callers,” “Blacklist,” “Unwanted Calls,” or another similar menu option. Your contact list or phonebook will appear; select the name to block, or enter the phone number manually.
- Calls from this number will no longer appear and your phone will not emit a ringing tone. The caller will hear a busy tone or get a notification that you did not receive a call from their number.
Step 2. Download Call Filter app on your Android
This is a free app available on your phone's Play Store and provides the option to block unknown numbers as well as certain numbers.
- Open the Play Store and search for “Call Filter.” Download the app and open it. Once open, you will be presented with the option to check the box labeled “Block Unknown Calls.” This option will prevent calls from private numbers, pay phones, and unknown numbers.
- You can also check the box labeled “Control Specified Numbers,” which will block manually entered numbers. Below the box is a clickable gray icon that says “Call Filter” followed by a number in parentheses. Click this box to enter the number to block. Blocked numbers will appear in this gray box. In the same way you can click “Add the last incoming number” to block the number that has just called you.
- Call blocker apps are not 100% effective and it is possible that the remote marketer may still be able to call you.
- If you don't have an Android phone, similar apps also exist with almost similar features.
Step 3. Block calls with Google Voice
Google Voice is a free phone service that offers a plethora of features.
- Visit the website to register: https://services.google.com/fb/forms/googlevoiceinvite/. You will be prompted to enter your name and email address. Since this service can only be used by invitation, you will have to wait until Google Voice sends the invitation before you can take advantage of its features. Be patient, even though the website says the wait is “short”, in reality you may have to wait a few days.
- Follow the instructions in the email to sign up for an account.
- Once you're done creating your account, sign in to your Google Voice account. Find the call or voicemail from the caller you want to block and check the box next to the call or voicemail. Click the “More” link below the call/voice message. Select “Block Callers.”
- This feature works on all phones if linked to a Google account, not just certain phones.
Method 4 of 4: United States National Do Not Call Registry
Step 1. Type www.donotcall.gov in your browser
Note that this method can only be done if you are in the United States. First, hit enter, then click the icon labeled “Register a Phone Number.”
- The National Do Not Call Registry is maintained by the Federal Trade Commission and is designed to stop most telemarketers from calling.
- Instead of entering the number you want to block, you will be asked to enter your own phone number so that remote marketers can't reach you.
- Don't despair if you still receive calls a few days after signing up. Your number should have been on the register for 31 days before the registration takes effect.
Step 2. Enter the phone number you want to register
Also enter a valid email address to confirm your request.
- You can enter a maximum of 3 numbers to be registered in the Do Not Call list.
- Double-check the phone number that has been entered. Make sure you don't miss a single number or miss a point.
- Make sure you have access to the email address you entered. You will receive a confirmation email which you must click to complete the registration.
Step 3. Confirm the registration
Open the email account you entered in the registration form and search for the email from the website.
- Be sure to click the confirmation link in the email within 72 hours of registration. The link will expire in 72 hours after which the form must be resubmitted for registration.
- Keep in mind that signing up for this list will only stop telephone remote marketers, or those looking for goods or services. It could be that there are still incoming calls from political organizations, charities, surveyors, and companies you have purchased products from. If you want to block phone calls from them just make a request to put your number on their no-call list, which they have to respect.
- If you are still receiving calls from the remote marketer after the 31 day period, there is an option to file a complaint on the same website. The icon for this purpose is to the far right of “Register a Phone Number.”
