Feeling constantly interrupted by telemarketers, robocalls, and unwanted solicitors on your Verizon landline? You're not alone! These nuisance calls can be incredibly frustrating, disrupting your peace and even leading to potential scams. The good news is that you don't have to tolerate them. Verizon offers several free tools and methods to help you regain control of your landline and silence those persistent rings.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through a step-by-step process to effectively block unwanted calls on your Verizon landline. Let's get started and reclaim your peace and quiet!
Step 1: Identify Your Verizon Landline Service Type
Before diving into specific blocking methods, it's crucial to understand what type of Verizon landline service you have. This will determine which blocking features are available to you.
Sub-heading: Why is this important?
Verizon offers different landline technologies, primarily:
Traditional Copper Wire Landline: This is the older, standard landline service. Features might be more limited.
Verizon Fios Digital Voice (VoIP): This service uses your internet connection (fiber optic) for phone calls and generally offers more advanced features.
Sub-heading: How to check your service type:
Check your Verizon bill: Your monthly statement will typically indicate your service type. Look for terms like "Fios Digital Voice," "VoIP," or simply "Landline" (which usually implies traditional copper).
Log in to My Verizon: If you have an online My Verizon account, you can log in and view your services.
Contact Verizon Customer Support: If you're unsure, the easiest way to confirm is to call Verizon customer service directly.
Once you know your service type, you can proceed to the appropriate blocking methods.
Step 2: Leverage Verizon's Built-in Call Blocking Features
Verizon provides several built-in features that can help you block unwanted calls on your landline. These often come at no additional cost.
Sub-heading: *Method A: Anonymous Call Rejection (77)
This is one of the simplest and most effective ways to block calls where the caller's number is hidden (e.g., "Private," "Anonymous," "Unknown").
Activate Anonymous Call Rejection:
Pick up your landline phone.
Dial *77.
Listen for a confirmation tone or recorded message indicating that the feature has been activated.
To deactivate it later, you would dial *87.
How it works: When someone with a blocked or unknown number tries to call you, they will hear a message stating that you do not accept calls from private numbers. Your phone won't even ring.
Sub-heading: *Method B: Call Block (60)
This feature allows you to block specific numbers that have been bothering you. The number of blocked entries might vary depending on your specific Verizon landline plan, but you can typically block at least a few.
Activate Call Block:
Pick up your landline phone.
Dial *60.
Follow the voice prompts. You'll usually be given options to:
Add the last incoming number to your block list.
Add a new number manually.
Review or delete numbers from your block list.
Important Notes:
For some areas, you might need to press '3' to turn Call Block off.
You might be able to add numbers from your Call Log directly through your My Verizon account (if you have Digital Voice).
Sub-heading: Method C: Spam Alerts / Caller ID for Landlines
Verizon has introduced features like "Spam Alerts" for landline customers with Caller ID. This doesn't block calls automatically but provides a warning.
Check for "SPAM?" alerts: If you have Caller ID, look for "SPAM?" displayed before the caller's name or number on your Caller ID screen.
Decide to answer or not: This feature helps you make an informed decision about whether to answer a call from an unknown or suspicious number. It relies on Verizon's internal spam detection algorithms.
Step 3: Utilize Online My Verizon Account Features (Especially for Digital Voice)
If you have Verizon Fios Digital Voice, your My Verizon online account offers more robust call management features.
Log in to My Verizon: Go to the official Verizon website and log in to your My Verizon account using your username and password.
Navigate to Call Features:
Once logged in, look for a section related to "Phone," "My Plan," "Account," or "Calling Features." The exact navigation might vary slightly.
You're looking for options like "Call Filter," "Call Blocking," or "Manage Calling Features."
Explore Blocking Options:
Call Filter: For some Digital Voice users, Verizon offers a "Call Filter" feature, similar to what's available for mobile. While it has a paid "Plus" version, the free version often includes spam detection and the ability to automatically send high-risk spam calls to voicemail. Check its settings to ensure it's activated and configured to your preference.
Incoming Call Block: You might find an option to manually add numbers to a "Blocked Numbers" list. Some plans allow you to block up to 5 numbers for 90 days for free.
Reject All Anonymous Calls: This is often the online equivalent of dialing *77.
Selective Call Blocking: This might be available to block specific numbers from your call log or a pre-defined list.
Save Changes: Always remember to save any changes you make in your My Verizon account for them to take effect.
Step 4: Register with the National Do Not Call Registry
While it won't stop all unwanted calls (scammers don't care about registries), the National Do Not Call Registry is a crucial first step to reduce legitimate telemarketing calls.
Visit the Official Website: Go to www.donotcall.gov.
Register Your Number:
Click on "Register Your Phone" or a similar option.
Enter your Verizon landline phone number and your email address for confirmation. You can register up to three numbers at once.
Submit your registration.
Confirm Your Registration: You will receive a confirmation email within 72 hours. You must click the link in this email to complete your registration.
Allow Time for Effect: It can take up to 31 days for your number to be removed from telemarketing lists.
Step 5: Consider Third-Party Call Blocking Devices (Optional, but effective)
While the focus of this guide is free methods, if you find yourself still inundated with unwanted calls, a physical call blocking device can be a highly effective, one-time investment. Verizon even sells some compatible devices.
Sub-heading: What are these devices?
These are small boxes that connect to your landline phone. They often come pre-loaded with thousands of known spam numbers and allow you to block additional numbers with the press of a button.
Sub-heading: Key features to look for (if considering):
Pre-programmed blacklists: Many come with lists of known robocallers.
One-touch blocking: A "Block Now" button for easy blocking of the current caller.
Capacity: How many numbers can it store?
Caller ID dependent: Most require Caller ID service to function properly.
Step 6: Report Persistent Unwanted Calls
Reporting unwanted calls helps authorities track and potentially prosecute illegal callers.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC):
Visit fcc.gov/complaints.
Choose the "Phone" form and select "Unwanted Calls" as the issue.
Provide as much detail as possible, including the date and time of the call, the number (if known), and the nature of the call.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC):
You can also report unwanted calls to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. This is particularly useful for imposter scams or other fraudulent activities.
Step 7: Be Vigilant and Educate Yourself
The best defense is often a good offense. Stay informed about common scam tactics.
Sub-heading: Tips for staying safe:
Don't answer unknown numbers: If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate callers will leave a message.
Hang up immediately on suspicious calls: If you answer and it sounds like a robocall, a pre-recorded message, or someone asking for personal information, hang up. Do not interact.
Never give out personal information: Be extremely cautious about sharing sensitive data like your Social Security number, bank account details, or credit card numbers over the phone, especially if you didn't initiate the call.
Be wary of "spoofing": Scammers can "spoof" local numbers or even numbers from legitimate organizations to trick you into answering. Even if it looks like a local number, if it's unexpected, be cautious.
By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the number of unwanted calls to your Verizon landline and enjoy a more peaceful environment in your home. It might take a little effort upfront, but the long-term benefits of uninterrupted quiet are well worth it!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to block the last incoming call on my Verizon landline?
You can typically block the last incoming call by dialing *60 on your Verizon landline and following the voice prompts. This will usually give you an option to add the last number that called you to your block list.
How to stop all anonymous calls on my Verizon landline for free?
To stop all anonymous calls (those with hidden or unknown caller IDs), simply dial *77 on your Verizon landline. You will hear a confirmation tone, and thereafter, calls with blocked IDs will not ring through to your phone.
How to manage my Verizon landline call blocking settings online?
If you have Verizon Fios Digital Voice, you can manage your call blocking settings by logging into your My Verizon account on the official Verizon website. Navigate to the "Phone," "Account," or "Calling Features" section to find options like "Call Filter" or "Call Blocking" where you can add numbers to a block list.
How to register my Verizon landline number on the National Do Not Call Registry?
Visit www.donotcall.gov and follow the instructions to register your landline number. Remember to click the confirmation link in the email they send you to complete the registration.
How to block more than 5 numbers on my Verizon landline for free?
Verizon's free built-in features often have a limit of around 5 numbers. For blocking more numbers for free, the National Do Not Call Registry is your best bet for telemarketers. For specific unwanted callers beyond the 5-number limit, you may need to consider third-party call blocking devices (though not free) or actively using the *60 feature to cycle out less bothersome numbers for more frequent offenders.
How to identify if a call is spam on my Verizon landline?
If you have Caller ID on your Verizon landline, look for "SPAM?" displayed before the caller's name or number. This "Spam Alerts" feature from Verizon can help you identify potentially unwanted calls.
How to report unwanted calls received on my Verizon landline?
You can report unwanted calls to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at fcc.gov/complaints or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Providing details about the call helps in their efforts to combat robocalls and scams.
How to unblock a number on my Verizon landline?
To unblock a number that you previously added to your block list using *60, dial *60 again on your landline and follow the voice prompts to review or delete numbers from your block list. For Anonymous Call Rejection, dial *87 to deactivate it.
How to prevent robocalls from reaching my Verizon landline?
Combating robocalls involves multiple strategies: registering on the National Do Not Call Registry, activating Anonymous Call Rejection (*77), utilizing the Call Block feature (*60) for known offenders, and leveraging Verizon's "Spam Alerts" if available. For Verizon Fios Digital Voice users, checking the "Call Filter" settings in My Verizon is also important.
How to get "Call Filter" for my Verizon landline?
Verizon's "Call Filter" is primarily associated with Verizon Wireless mobile services, but for Verizon Fios Digital Voice (VoIP) landlines, some similar features for spam detection and blocking may be accessible through your My Verizon online account under your phone service settings. Check your My Verizon portal for options related to "Call Filter" or "Spam Blocking" for your Digital Voice line.