How to stop spam calls on landline phones?
It is difficult to quantify the exact state of spam calls in the UK, as the prevalence of these calls can vary over time. However, it is generally acknowledged that spam calls are a significant problem in the UK, and many people receive unwanted calls regularly.
In 2019, the UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) received over 200,000 complaints about spam calls. These calls can be annoying and disruptive, and some people have also reported being targeted by scams or fraudulent schemes as a result of spam calls.
Several organisations in the UK are working to tackle the problem of spam calls, including the ICO, which is responsible for enforcing laws related to unsolicited marketing and data protection. The TPS (Telephone Preference Service) is another organisation that helps people opt out of receiving unsolicited sales and marketing calls. However, despite these efforts, spam calls still need to be addressed in the UK.
There are a few ways to stop spam calls on your landline phone in the UK:
1. Register with the TPS
TPS is a free service that allows you to opt out of receiving unsolicited sales and marketing calls. Once you've registered with the TPS, it should take 28 days for your registration to take effect.
You may still receive unwanted calls during this time as it takes time for your registration to be processed and for companies to update their systems. However, after 28 days, you should receive fewer unsolicited sales and marketing calls.
It's important to note that the TPS only applies to sales and marketing calls and will not stop other calls, such as calls from charities, political organisations, or market research firms. However, registering with the TPS can still help reduce the number of unwanted calls you receive.
2. Use Call-Blocking Technology to Stop Spam Calls
Using a call blocker on your landline phone can be an effective way to stop spam calls. A call blocker is a device or software designed to block unwanted calls from reaching you. There are a variety of call blockers available for landline phones. You can try these call blockers.
CPR V100K Call Blocker
The CPR Call Blocker V100K is designed to help stop spam calls on landline phones. It comes preloaded with 100,000 numbers reported as scams or nuisances to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
To use the device, you can simply press the red "Block Now" button on the top of the device when you receive an unwanted call. This will store the caller's number in the device's memory, end the call, and permanently block the number from calling you again. You can use this feature to block up to 10,000 unwanted calls.
CPR Call Blocker V5000
The CPR V5000 is a device that helps stop spam calls on landline phones. It comes with a spam registry containing 5,000 known Robocall spam numbers, and you can block an additional 1,500 numbers of your choice.
To block a call on the CPR V5000, simply press the "Block Now" button at the top of the device when you receive an unwanted call. This will end the call and add the caller's number to the block list.
You can also block calls on the CPR V5000 by pressing the #2 button on your cordless phone. This is a simple and easy-to-use feature of the device.
CPR Call Blocker V10000
The CPR V10000 is designed to help stop spam calls on landline phones. It comes preloaded with 10,000 known scam numbers and allows you to block an additional 2,000 at your discretion. You can block all international, private, and unknown numbers with this device and configure it to reject calls that begin with a particular area code.
To use the CPR V10000 to stop spam callers, simply press the button to block the numbers you want to stop receiving calls from. This will add them to the device's block list and prevent them from calling you in the future.
CPR SHIELD Call Blocker
CPR Shield is a portable device that helps you identify unknown callers and block unwanted calls. It has a convenient and ergonomic layout, with buttons in easy-to-reach locations. The device is also designed to hold comfortably, with a round shape that fits easily in your hands.
The CPR Shield comes preloaded with a database of 2,000 numbers, including robocalls, spam, and political advertisement numbers, which you can block with a single button press. The CPR Shield can be helpful if you want to stop receiving calls from these numbers.
3. Use Call Screening
Call screening is a feature that allows you to view the caller's phone number before you answer the call. This can be useful to avoid answering calls from unknown or unwanted numbers. Call screening allows you to decide whether or not to answer the call based on the caller's phone number.
Some phone service providers offer call screening as a feature of their service, while others offer it as a separate service that you can add to your phone plan. Call screening can be a helpful tool for helping to reduce the number of spam calls you receive.
4. Use a voicemail system
Some voicemail systems allow you to block specific numbers or mark certain calls as spam, which can help prevent these calls from reaching you. This can be a helpful feature if you are receiving a high volume of spam calls and want to stop them from bothering you.
To use this feature, you must access your voicemail settings and add the numbers you wish to block to your block list. You can also mark calls as spam by pressing a button or selecting an option within your voicemail system. This will help the system identify and filter out spam calls in the future.
Not all voicemail systems have this feature, so you may need to check with your phone service provider to see if it is available.
5. Don’t Answer Unknown Numbers
It is generally a good idea to avoid answering calls from unknown numbers, as many spam calls come from unknown numbers. However, if you recognise the caller's number, it may be safe to answer the call. For example, the call is likely legitimate if the caller is someone you know or an organisation you are familiar with.
Suppose you need clarification on a call from a known number. In that case, you can try to verify the caller's identity by calling them back using a different phone or by checking with the organisation or person directly. This can help you determine whether the call is legitimate or a spam call attempting to trick you into revealing sensitive information.
Overall, it is always a good idea to be cautious when answering calls from unknown or unfamiliar numbers, as spam calls can be disruptive and potentially harmful.
6. Don't Share Your Phone Number to Stop Spam Calls
Yes, it is generally a good idea to be cautious about sharing your phone number with companies or individuals you don't know. There is a risk that they may use your phone number to send you spam calls or texts or to contact you for other unsolicited purposes.
It is essential to be careful about sharing your phone number and to take steps to protect your privacy. This can help reduce the risk of receiving spam calls and other unwanted communications.
7. Be Cautious About Giving Out Personal Information
If you receive a call from an unknown number, it is generally a good idea to be cautious about giving out any personal information. Spammers and scammers often use fake caller ID information to trick people into answering their calls. They may try to obtain sensitive information such as your name, address, financial account number, or other personal details.
To protect your personal information and avoid falling victim to a scam, you can consider the following steps:
- Don't reveal personal information: Don't give out any personal information, such as your name, address, financial account numbers, or Social Security number, to an unknown caller.
- Verify the caller's identity: If you are unsure about the caller's identity, try to verify it by calling them back using a different phone or checking with the organisation or person directly.
- Hang up if you feel uncomfortable: If the caller is asking for personal information or pressuring you to reveal sensitive information, hang up the phone. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Overall, it is essential to be cautious when answering calls from unknown numbers and to protect your personal information. This can help reduce the risk of being targeted by scammers and spammers.
Conclusion
Receiving spam calls on your landline phone can be annoying and disruptive, and you must reduce the number of unwanted calls you receive. In the UK, several options exist for stopping spam calls on your landline phone. By following these tips, you can help reduce the number of spam calls you receive on your landline phone and protect your privacy.
A call blocker device is strongly recommended to stop scam calls. Our call blockers are meant to keep you and your family safe from unwanted phone calls and give you peace of mind at home. Browse our products, or get in touch with us so we can help you.