How to Block Unwanted Phone Calls on a Landline
Nuisance calls have been flooding landlines for years. It’s possible to block them by adding the number to the National Do-Not-Call Registry, talking with the service provider or making a request from the company.
It can get bothersome to frequently receive calls from businesses looking to solicit a customer’s business. Sometimes it can feel like these calls come once or even more a day. There are a few ways to stop those calls from coming.
Robocalling is one of the most popular ways for telemarketers to reach some potential customers. An auto-dialer is used by the company to call a string of phone numbers. When the receiver is picked up there is an automated message that plays the sales pitch for the company. Companies use the system because it makes it possible to reach a large number of callers at the same time and not tie up costly employee time.
National Do-Not-Call Registry
The National Do-Not-Call Registry may be the most well-known way to block unwanted calls. The registry is a database that is set up and maintained by the government and contains a list of phone numbers for people who do not wish to be called by telemarketers. The list was started in 2003. Those interested in being added to the list can do so online and should only have to do it once per phone number.
To have a telephone number added onto the National Do-Not-Call Registry, go to donotcall.gov and fill out the information. To check if a number is already on that list, the site offers a way to look it up. Once registered, a number should be on the list by the following day, and within 31 days the unwanted calls should stop, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Organizations such as charities, debt collectors, surveyors and political groups will still be able to call even after a number is placed on the list, so this will not eliminate unwanted calls altogether. Once added, if the calls have not stopped by a specific company, there are ways to lodge a formal complaint against it by contacting the Federal Trade Commission or the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.
Call the Service Provider
Another way to block unwanted calls is by simply checking with the company that provides the service for the landline. Call and ask if it has any options that may help. Many service providers offer their own ways to block specific numbers for their customers.
By Request
One final way to stop landline calls is to simply ask the company making them. When contacted by a company, it is possible to request to be placed on its own Do-Not-Call list and hope the calls do not continue in the future. Many will respect a person’s desires and make a note of one’s wishes not to be bothered.
Even though robocalls and calls from solicitors and other sales people can be irritating, by trying at least one of these methods or any combination of the options listed, the hope is that the calls from unwanted companies and solicitors will be ended for the landline.
