Content

• Steps
• Advice

Are you getting a lot of incoming calls from hidden phone numbers? Telephone advertisers, creditors, and even ex can hide your phone number from you, not letting you know who's calling. If you are facing harassing calls, take control by blocking those annoying calls. See Step 1 below to learn more.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: For Mobile Phones

1. 

   Call your cell phone company. Ask about the services they offer to block unknown numbers. Many such services cost several dollars a month and are billed monthly, but the options and availability of the service may vary from carrier to carrier.
   • Not all services allow you to block incoming strangers, and only block calls from a visible phone number.

2. 

   
   
   Install call blocking application. If you are using an iPhone or an Android phone, you can set up this app to automatically block calls without numbers. The most popular ones are Call Control (Android) and Call Bliss (iPhone).
   • Call Control is an Android app that allows you to automatically block harassing calls and telemarketers. These phone numbers are reported by other users around the country. You can also use Privacy Mode which only allows incoming calls from numbers in your Contacts.
   • Call Bliss is an iPhone application that can automatically mute all unwanted calls, allowing you to easily ignore calls with unknown numbers.

3. 

   
   
   Use the Do Not Disturb function on your iPhone. "Do Not Disturb" allows you to mute all calls except for those you allow. This can be helpful for ignoring unknown phone numbers, but you also won't get important call notifications from numbers you don't know.
   • Open Settings and then select Do Not Disturb.
   • Open “Allow Calls From” and select “All Contacts”.
   • You can turn on Do Not Disturb manually, or set up a schedule within 24 hours. The Do Not Disturb function does not always only allow calls from contacts. Be aware that any other incoming calls will be muted.

4. 

   
   
   Sign up for a call trap service. This is a fee-based service that forces the caller to show the phone number. The most popular service for iPhone and Android is TrapCall. advertisement

Part 2 of 2: For Landline Phones

1. 

   Activate the Anonymous Call Rejection function. This function will block incoming calls hidden from phone number. This service is usually free when you have Calling Phone Number activated on your phone line. The anonymous caller is instructed to call back, with the phone number displayed.
   • If you have Anonymous Call Rejection on your phone and reside in the US, you can activate it by dialing * 77. You can disable this function by dialing * 87.
   • If you cannot activate the Anonymous Call Rejection function, you can contact your service provider. You may incur charges to add an Incoming Phone Number to the service.

2. 

   Use TrapCall. Initially this service is only used on mobile phones, now TrapCall is available on landlines. You can add home or office numbers to the TrapCall service from the TrapCall Control Frame.
   • Click on My Phones to add a landline number.
   • You can set up call traps by calling your service provider. They can only do this if you prove that they are being harassed, and will usually cost you a fee.
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Advice

• If you are receiving harassing and threatening calls from a hidden number, you can notify your service provider. These calls will be investigated on a law enforcement basis.
• While residing in the United States, you can register a phone number online at the Do Not Call Registry issued by the Federal Trade Commission. You can add your own mobile phone number and resident number to the list. This can reduce the number of marketing advertising calls by 80 percent.