wafflesatnoon.com » Who Called Me? » How to Block a Specific Phone Number From Calling
How to Block a Specific Phone Number From Calling
Blocking a specific phone number should be easy. The cell carriers and smart phones certainly have the technology to do just that. With Skype, you simply add a number to your block list and you never hear from them again. Why does this seem so difficult with some cell phones? Below are some ways to block a specific number on your cell phone.
There are different reasons why you may want to block a number. Sometimes it’s your stalker ex who keeps hounding you. In other cases, you want to create a running list of telemarketers or debt collectors. I have dealt with both, actually, but in a perfect world, I would be able to maintain an ever-growing list of any annoying callers – whether it’s a telemarketer or crazy ex.
The best solution I’ve found is the first one in the list below. I’ve included some other suggestions as well.
Forward to Google Voice or Skype
If you have a phone number assigned to your Google Voice or Skype accounts, you can forward your phone to that line at night or when you’re at your computer, and add numbers you want to block there. I have a paid Skype account. When I forward my Android phone, the calling number shows up on Skype’s caller ID, which I can easily block. Skype also allows me to only accept calls from people in my contacts. I experimented with this feature to see what callers on the other end experience when blocked. They don’t get a message or my voice mail – they get a busy signal. Even though I have to turn this feature off when I’m not at my computer, in my case I’m at my computer most of the day, so this is the best solution I’ve found.
Prior to the above solution, my preferred method for blocking numbers was this one:
Install a call blocking app
There are tons of apps out there designed for the sole purpose of blocking numbers. Most of those end up just sending them to voice mail, which means you still have to deal with annoying messages. I tried about a dozen of them. The better ones also blocked text messages. It could be that I never found the right one for me, plus there are new ones being introduced at a fairly regular pace. Check out the app marketplace and see if you can find one that works for you.
Below are other methods I’ve tried or attempted to try, none of which I felt were good enough.
Use your smart phone’s blocking features
Some smart phones allow you to add numbers to a block list. This seem to vary by manufacturer. In some cases, “blocking” a number merely sends it to voice mail. This may be acceptable to some, but to me it wasn’t good enough. I found that using this feature along with Gmail’s contacts was slightly more palatable. In Gmail, I set up a contact with all of the phone numbers I wanted to block. Then in my smart phone, I added that single contact to my block list. I assigned a big “BLOCKED” graphic with a circle and a line through it so I could easily see blocked calls in my call log.
Call your carrier
Different carriers have different policies on blocking numbers. AT&T, for example, offers a paid service for $5 a month that allows you to block up to 30 numbers. It has been reported that some carriers will block numbers for free. If you’re looking to block many numbers, this isn’t a practical option. My block list on Skype is pushing 100 numbers already.
Silent Ring Tone
Creating a silent ring tone and assigning it to a contact containing all of your blocked numbers is another way to avoid hearing them call, although you’re still forced to deal with voice mail.
What are some ways that you have found to block a phone number from calling?
Filed under: Who Called Me?
I too received a text that I had won a $500 Target gift card but the # my text came from is not posted above so please add this # to your list 770-815-6442.
Spam SMS received from the number below. Please add it to your list, please.
+1 (518) 323-5447
I too received a text that I had won a $500 Target gift card but the # my text came from is not posted above so please add this # to your list 704-460-5179.
two more numbers for the same:
714-227-2515 and 918-859-8271
sorry I meant this address.
this number showed up about the target free giftcard.412-996-2861
This number should be added to your list 814-483-1437. I also received a text with a 1000. free Target gift card offer.
Here’s an other number to add to ur list (209) 601-5089 http://www.target.com.crdz.biz
OMG Waffles@noon…U r so fab u lous–i put a search for “target.com.tgte.biz” & checked your site and there was my answer! Thanks for the Whois link also–I checked and tgte.biz is also in Panama! And thanx to all your readers–I wouldn’t have answers without their help too!
So, here’s the Aug 3 text msg on my LG smart phone from 347-260-0883 : “Your entry in last months drawing won you a FREE $1,000 Target Giftcard! Enter “323″ at (see website that I listed above) to tell us where to ship it.”
i wanna block this number-
+1(514)216-0711
here is some more numbers that i want blocked 415-121-6432<720-684-4080-501-232-4354
Add this tel # also: 1-459-1218344
wakanetwork.com still striking…got called today (Sat) 459-121-8344. I also filled out my own ripoff report with the details of my experience.
this number needs added…..its a walmart scam…459-121-8344
a text message that said I won a $1000 Target gift card and needed to
go to http://TargetPrizes.com/ I immediately went to your official web
site and found this scam alert…THANKS. and here is another # to report 985-259-1078.
Text from 985-201-4155 said I won a $1000 Target Gift Card. It could be claimed at: “http://TargetPrizes.com” with code 4787 for 48 hours from 01:48 Wed. 14 Nov. 2012, when the text was received.
951-536-8490 that’s the number that included in a
Text I received early in the morning.
Here is a new one as of 12/06/2012 3:24PM central time.
459-121=8344
They said I won a 500.00 wallmart cart, 100 gal. of gas.
What a scam, I told Her I just saw on the web that the call was just that.
wow im the winner of the day , yahoo , saw this was a scam right away so i dident even try , but if this will help stop these idiots then here is a new number for your great collection 1-416-556-2220 , ty
I got these offers too but declined because they want you to buy something. no one gets some thing for nothing ever.it will always cost you some how they are clever.
216-264-0929 Independence, Ohio
If you don’t remember to cancel within one month you have an ongoing monthly charge of $19.95.
Hi i’m receiving a call from a girl (953——9).She is annoying..How to block her Number (Ed. Note: Number edited for privacy.)
If u get a call from a Sylvia Davis… its a SCAM! She will tell you, you won 100.00 in gas and 10.00 Walmart card and another 50.00 card from a different website. I looked up her number and there she was with scam written on it! Google sylvia davis, and you’ll see!