Millions of people have received unsolicited phone calls on their landline numbers in the USA and across other countries. But dealing with such spam is not easy if you don’t apply the right tips and tricks, and in this guide, I’ll show you the best way to block those unwanted callers on your landline numbers. So make sure you apply the best practices, and use the right tools.
5 easy ways to stop Robocalls
Keep in mind that when someone gets your number, he can also find your other contact details, so, even if you successfully blocked them, make sure you see if your public details are already listed.
You can use Google or other advanced tools to search for yourself, as telemarketers can get your number using other options such as email or name. Now, here is to get rid of spam calls on your landline.
Using the ‘Do Not Call’ service
The FCC guidelines provide a means to help resolve unwanted calls as well as guidelines surrounding how telemarketers and Robo-callers should operate without bugging down your life. Telemarketers could be restricted to only call your number after 8 a.m. and before 9 p.m. daily.
One of such effective ways to stop calls is the use of the national Do Not Call registry. Some states also have a do not call service, which you can confirm from the state government listing, blue pages, or state phone directory.
The FCC can help restrict unsolicited calls to your landline when you sign up for the service free of charge. You can opt-in by registering your landline numbers as a ‘Do no Call’ number either through your phone line or via the internet at www.donotcall.gov. To register via your phone, you must use the specific landline to register call: 1-888-382-1222 for voice or for TTY – 1-866-290-4236.
Once registered, the telemarketing company must be forced legally to remove your number from their list within 31 days of your listing on the “Do Not Call” listing.
Verizon call blocking service
With a landline, you have an excellent angle to block telemarketing calls using the Verizon home phone service. You can log into your phone account if you have one, and then, enter the numbers you intend to block permanently.
Though Verizon still offers call blocking functions for anonymous calls, unfortunately, some of such calls still find a way to ring through, but you can opt for blocking those numbers permanently.
Use the call safe or TalkTalk service
If you’re in the UK, the TalkTalk launched CallSafe feature allows you to screen calls before receiving them by dialing 1472. The CallSafe unsolicited call blocking service was launched just this January 17, 2018, and offers a free service. It has three features:
- Approved: which cover numbers you have dialed out at least twice within the last 35 days.
- The Blocked feature is for numbers that you’ve decided not to receive calls, they have been blacklisted. The same feature also contains numbers in the CallSafe database of unwanted numbers.
- The Screened feature is for numbers not on your list; the caller has to record the name and details while CallSafe replays the details to you, so you decide if you want to block on keeping in touch with that person.
For unsolicited callers, then usually end the call because they know you would screen the call-out at the end.
Number blocking option
You can opt for using your landline service provider if they have call blocking functions, and then request to activate blocking for specific numbers when necessary. Some of them offer free or paid services of about $2-$5 monthly subscriptions. To activate that, you can press 3 on the landline or wait for the tone and dial *60. After dialing, wait for confirmation if the service has now been activated or not.
To block a number, add the area code and phone number, and next, press the # button to activate. You can end the calls once through. When unsolicited calls come in they will receive a message of uncompleted calls without the recipient’s ringing.
Blocking anonymous calls
The use of an anonymous call blocking service works best for screening out numbers whose caller ID does not appear when they call. As a result, calls that appear with ‘unknown caller’ or ‘Private name’ will usually be screened out for reaching you, and thus, it’s another good option to get rid of telemarketing calls as the majority of them, dial with anonymous numbers.
To activate the service, simply dial *77 on your landline, and once you hear the dial tone, wait till you get a confirmation tone, and then, you know it has been activated. Once the function is activated, any call whose call does not display name and numbers would be informed that all calls without caller ID cannot be accepted by you. It will, therefore, require the caller to end the call, unblock Caller ID and call back.
How annoying can unwanted phone calls be?
Here is how annoying unsolicited calls could be, especially since landlines do not display caller ID. First, I must say you are not alone as this madness has gone on for so long. Research by ACMA indicates that 51% of Australian residents received unwanted phone calls and a whopping 92% of those who received the calls think they come out as problematic.
Another analysis in the same report showed 38% as thinking just like me, that those calls were annoying! While 36% think unsolicited calls come at an inappropriate time; dinner time, when in bed or taking a nap, during special moments with that special person, etc.
These people are trying to sell you something you actually don’t need! And about 5.3 million Americans lamented being disturbed by unsolicited callers in 2016, as noted by the Federal Trade Commission.
How spammers and annoying callers got your number?
- Through yellow, blue pages or phone directory.
- People make searches on Google for numbers in certain areas to call through.
- Social media platforms and other online mediums provide access to your number.
- Professional scrapers adopt different technological measures online, such as phone spoofing to scrape mobile and landline numbers to sell to marketers and others for legal and illegal use.
- Randomly dial, sometimes, your number could have been dialed at random for marketing or spamming purposes.
As much as the ‘Do Not Call’ list helps reduce unsolicited calls, you need to understand that it only stops legal unwanted callers from troubling your lines. For regular and illegal spammers using the DNC, the feature will not stop spammers in any way, especially Chinese Robocalls who bypass the limitations.
