This is not my posting but this subject is so vast that I decided to post it anyways. Credits go out to Century Link.
Ways to block unwanted calls from your home phone
There are several ways you can control who gets through to your home phone. You can use one of our calling features to block incoming calls. Change your directory listing so it's more difficult for unwanted callers to find you. If you're getting harassing or threatening calls, you can identify who's calling and then work with local law enforcement. Or, if you're specifically having problems with telemarketing calls, you can add your phone number to the National Do Not Call Registry.
Popular call-blocking tools
You can use calling features to block all incoming calls, certain types of calls or specific phone numbers. Anonymous Call Rejection and Call Rejection are two of our most popular call-blocking features.
Anonymous Call Rejection
Use Anonymous Call Rejection to stop calls from ANONYMOUS and PRIVATE numbers. For instance, if a sales guy calls you from a blocked number, he hears:
The party you are calling does not accept blocked calls. If you are calling from a blocked number, please hang up, pick up the receiver, press *87 and redial the phone number. When you do this, your name and number will appear for this call only.
In many areas Anonymous Call Rejection comes with Caller ID. In some areas, you need to order it separately. Either way, when it's initially installed, it's turned OFF, so you need to turn it ON.
This calling feature only stops ANONYMOUS and PRIVATE calls. Because they lack the necessary data, OUT OF AREA, UNAVAILABLE, UNKNOWN or NOT PROVIDED calls cannot be blocked.
Call Rejection
Use Call Rejection when you want to block specific phone numbers. To do this, you create a list of the phone numbers that you want to reject. Then, anyone calling from a number on your list can't get through.
For instance, you might use Call Rejection if an old boyfriend (or girlfriend) won't take the hint, a market research company has you on their speed dial or a political campaign thinks you're the Bank of Big Bucks. In these cases, you add the offending phone numbers to your "rejection list." Then, when someone calls from a number on that list, he/she hears a message saying you're not accepting calls.
Calls from numbers not on your list ring through to your home as usual.
You must order Call Rejection and have it added to your account. When it's initially installed, it's turned OFF, so you need to turn it ON.
With Call Rejection, you can block more than 10 numbers. If you need to block additional numbers (up to 25), Enhanced Call Rejection is available in some areas.
If neither of these calling features sound like they're going to do what you need done, we have other calling features available that may block the particular calls that you don't want getting through.
More call-stopping ideas
Directory listing service
Sometimes limiting where, and how, your telephone number is published can make a world of difference. There are several ways for you to control how your name and number are shared.
You can request:
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To have your name removed, at no charge, from lists that we may provide to other companies for marketing purposes. (Non-listed and non-published numbers are automatically excluded from these lists.)
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A non-listed (semi-private) listing. In this case, your name, address and phone number aren.t included in the printed telephone directory, but your name and telephone number are available through Directory Assistance.
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A non-published (private) listing. With this type of listing, your name, address and phone number don't appear in the printed telephone directory and aren't available through Directory Assistance.
Harassment prevention
Telephone harassment is a crime. If you receive threatening or obscene phone calls, you can trace who's calling you.
Call Trace is already installed on your line. You don't have to order it or have it installed, and you're only charged when you successfully complete a trace. (Note: This feature is available in most areas. However, if you attempt a trace and hear a fast-busy tone instead of recorded instructions, it's probably not offered in your area.)
After 3 successful traces, contact the CenturyLink Annoyance Call Bureau at 800-582-0655 for help resolving the problem. Or, if the situation is rapidly escalating and you feel your wellbeing is at risk, contact your local law enforcement agency for assistance.
If you're having problems blocking certain numbers, try these troubleshooting tips. If you have questions or would like to change or add calling features to your account, chat with us. We're here to help!
National Do Not Call Registry
The National Do Not Call Registry (aka the "Do Not Call" list) is managed by the Federal Trade Commission and is meant to give people a way to stop relentless phone solicitors and telemarketers.
If you would like to block unwanted calls to your (home or mobile) phone, adding your number(s) to the Do Not Call list is a good thing to do. It's a free service, and once your number has been on the list for at least 31 days, telemarketers are supposed to stop calling you. If they don't, you can file a complaint.
Of course, the government recognizes that some business calls are legitimate so even if your number's on the list, you may occasionally still receive calls you don't entirely want. For example, you may get calls from political organizations, charities and telephone surveyors.
You may also receive calls from companies that you've purchased from within the last 18 months or from companies that you've given written permission to. (Be extra careful to read the fine print in agreements you sign.)
Did you know? If you ask a company to place your phone number on its internal do-not-call list, it must honor your request. (Of course, it's always a good idea to keep a record of the date you made the request. Just in case the company doesn't do as they should and you need to file a complaint.)
