Learn About Reducing Unwanted Calls on Landlines

Understanding Unwanted Calls on Landlines: What You Need to Know

Unwanted calls on landlines have become an increasingly frustrating problem for millions of households across the United States. These calls include robocalls, telemarketing calls, scams, and various types of automated messages that interrupt your day and disrupt your peace at home. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Americans received an estimated 3.7 billion robocalls in 2023 alone, with many of these targeting landline numbers that are often easier to find and exploit than cell phone numbers.

Unwanted calls fall into several categories. Robocalls use automated technology to dial large numbers of people simultaneously, often delivering recorded messages about products, services, or fraudulent schemes. Telemarketing calls are made by companies trying to sell products or services, though legitimate telemarketers are required to follow specific legal rules. Scam calls attempt to trick you into providing personal information or sending money. Other unwanted calls include survey calls, political calls, and charity solicitation calls. Understanding these different types of unwanted calls can help you respond appropriately when you receive them.

Landlines are particularly vulnerable to unwanted calls for several reasons. Landline numbers are often easier to locate through public directories and business listings than cell phone numbers. Automated dialing systems can target entire blocks of phone numbers sequentially, making it likely that at least some numbers will connect to actual landlines. Additionally, some people keep their landline numbers for many years, making them easier targets for repeat calling patterns.

Practical takeaway: Keep a notebook or digital file near your phone to track unwanted calls you receive. Write down the number that called, the time, the date, the type of call (robocall, telemarketing, scam, etc.), and any message left. This information will be useful if you decide to report calls or file complaints with authorities.

How Caller ID and Call Blocking Technology Works

Caller ID technology displays the phone number and sometimes the name of the person calling before you answer. This tool is one of your first lines of defense against unwanted calls. However, scammers and unwanted callers frequently use technology to disguise or "spoof" their actual phone numbers, displaying a different number or fake name on your Caller ID. A practice called "neighbor spoofing" makes unwanted calls appear to come from phone numbers similar to yours, increasing the likelihood that you'll answer because you think it might be a local call.

Call blocking services work by comparing incoming calls against databases of known unwanted numbers or spam patterns. When a call is identified as likely unwanted, the service either blocks it entirely (so your phone doesn't ring) or sends it to a spam folder (similar to email spam filters). Different call blocking services use different methods. Some rely on user reports, where people mark calls as spam and that information gets added to the database. Others use artificial intelligence to detect patterns typical of robocalls or scams. Many use a combination of methods.

Most landline providers now offer call filtering services, either included with your service or available for a monthly fee. Verizon, AT&T, CenturyLink, and other providers offer services with names like "Call Filter," "Call Protect," and "Scam Guard." These built-in services typically filter calls before they reach your phone and allow you to review blocked calls in an app or online portal if you want to check whether any legitimate calls were blocked by mistake. Third-party call blocking apps and devices are also available from companies like RoboKiller, Nomorobo, and Whoscall, though these typically require separate subscriptions.

Practical takeaway: Contact your landline provider and ask what call filtering or blocking options they offer. Many providers include basic call filtering at no extra charge. If your provider charges a fee, weigh the cost against how many unwanted calls you receive and how much they bother you. If you receive numerous unwanted calls, a small monthly fee might be worth the peace of mind.

Steps to Reduce Unwanted Calls Yourself

You don't need to rely entirely on technology to reduce unwanted calls. Several actions you can take yourself can significantly decrease how many unwanted calls you receive. The first step is understanding where unwanted callers get your number. Your landline number may have been obtained through public directories, sold by data brokers, harvested from websites or online forms, or obtained through random dialing. While you cannot prevent all unwanted calls, limiting how your number is shared can reduce the frequency.

The National Do Not Call Registry is a free government service where you can register your landline number to reduce telemarketing calls. You can register online at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register. Registration is permanent and doesn't expire. However, the Do Not Call Registry only applies to legitimate telemarketers. It does not stop robocalls, scams, surveys conducted by nonprofit organizations, charities, or political organizations, or calls from companies you've done business with in the past 18 months. Still, registering is a worthwhile step because it does reduce one category of unwanted calls.

When you receive unwanted calls, don't provide personal information, don't confirm that a real person is on the line by saying "yes" to questions, and don't press buttons or say words that might indicate you're available (scammers sometimes record these responses to use fraudulently). Hang up immediately if you suspect a scam. Don't call back numbers that claim to be from your bank, government agency, or utility company—instead, look up the official number yourself and call them directly. Never give out your Social Security number, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, or passwords in response to unsolicited calls.

Consider limiting what personal information you share online. When filling out online forms, surveys, or social media profiles, provide only the information absolutely necessary. Many data brokers collect and sell information from public records and online sources. The less public information associated with your number, the less attractive your number becomes to unwanted callers. You can also request removal from data broker databases, though this process can be time-consuming and may need to be repeated.

Practical takeaway: Register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry today. This takes five minutes and costs nothing. While it won't stop all unwanted calls, it will reduce calls from legitimate telemarketers. Keep the Do Not Call registry website and phone number handy for future reference, and consider registering again if you notice an increase in telemarketing calls after a year or two.

Reporting and Documenting Unwanted Calls

When you receive unwanted calls, reporting them helps authorities track patterns and take action against the worst offenders. The FCC and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) both maintain complaint databases about unwanted calls and robocalls. Your individual report is valuable because it contributes to patterns that investigators can recognize. When many people report calls from the same number or the same type of scam, authorities can take stronger action.

To report unwanted calls to the FCC, you can submit a complaint online at fcc.gov/complaints or through their Consumer Complaint Center. To report to the FTC, visit reportfraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-438-4338. When you report, include as much detail as possible: the date and time of the call, the number that appeared on your Caller ID, the name displayed if one was shown, what the caller said or did, whether they left a voicemail, and whether you've received similar calls before. If a message was left, save it if possible—some services allow you to record or forward voicemails to authorities.

Many state attorneys general also maintain complaint processes for unwanted calls and robocalls. Your state's attorney general office may investigate patterns of unwanted calls and take legal action against offenders. Some states have their own registries or complaint systems in addition to the National Do Not Call Registry. You can find your state attorney general's office through the National Association of Attorneys General website.

Documentation serves multiple purposes. If you're keeping records of unwanted calls as suggested earlier, this documentation can be valuable if you want to pursue a complaint or if a pattern of calls becomes a serious problem. Some unwanted callers target specific households repeatedly. If you're receiving harassing calls repeatedly from the same person or organization, your documentation becomes evidence that could support a complaint with police or other authorities. Screenshots of Caller ID information, recordings of voicemails, and notes about what was said all serve as documentation.

Practical takeaway: Save at least one voicemail from any robocall or spam call