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Are you receiving multiple calls from hidden numbers? Telemarketing companies, debt collectors, and even ex-partners may choose to hide their phone numbers, leaving you unsure of who's calling. If you're dealing with these bothersome calls, take control by blocking them. Check out Step 1 below to learn more.
Steps
For Mobile Phones
Contact your mobile service provider. Inquire about the services they offer to block unknown numbers. Many such services cost a few dollars per month, billed on a monthly basis. However, the availability and options for these services may vary depending on your carrier.
- Not all services allow you to block calls from unknown callers, and they may only block calls from numbers that you can actually see.
Install a call blocking app. If you're using an iPhone or Android phone, you can install an app to automatically block calls from hidden numbers. Popular apps include Call Control (Android) and Call Bliss (iPhone).
- Call Control is an Android app that allows you to automatically block robocalls and telemarketers. The numbers are reported by other users across the country. You can also use the Privacy Mode, which only allows calls from numbers in your Contacts list.
- Call Bliss is an iPhone app that can automatically mute unwanted calls, letting you easily ignore calls from unfamiliar numbers.
Use the Do Not Disturb feature on your iPhone. "Do Not Disturb" lets you silence all calls except those from people you allow. This can be useful to avoid unfamiliar numbers, but you may miss important calls from unknown numbers.
- Open Settings and select Do Not Disturb.
- Open “Allow Calls From” and choose “All Contacts.”
- You can manually enable Do Not Disturb or set a schedule within 24 hours. Note that this function doesn’t always block only contacts from your list. Any other incoming calls will be silenced.
Sign up for a call trapping service. This is a paid service that forces callers to reveal their phone numbers. The most popular service for both iPhone and Android is TrapCall.
For Landline Phones
Activate the Anonymous Call Rejection feature. This feature blocks incoming calls from hidden phone numbers. It is typically free if you have a Caller ID service activated on your phone line. Anonymous callers will be instructed to call back with their number displayed.
- If you have the Anonymous Call Rejection feature and are in the U.S., you can activate it by dialing *77. To deactivate it, dial *87.
- If you cannot activate this feature, contact your service provider. You may need to pay a fee to add Caller ID service to your plan.
Use TrapCall. Initially, this service was available only on mobile phones, but now TrapCall is also available for landline phones. You can add your home or office number to the TrapCall service through the TrapCall Dashboard.
- Click on My Phones to add your landline number.
- You can set up call trapping by contacting your service provider. They can only do this if you prove you're being harassed, and there is usually a fee involved.
Tips
- If you're receiving harassing and threatening calls from a hidden number, you can report it to your service provider. These calls will be investigated based on law enforcement regulations.
- If you live in the United States, you can register your number online at Do Not Call Registry, which is managed by the Federal Trade Commission. You can add both your mobile and landline numbers to the list. This may reduce marketing calls by up to 80 percent.
