How to Block a Phone Number

Due to advancement in technology, we are able to block phone numbers from unwanted callers and also hide our identity while calling others. If you want to know how to block phone numbers, it is just a matter of calling your cell phone service provider or entering certain codes on the cell phone. Blocking phone numbers is the best way to avoid unwanted people from calling and troubling us. If you opt for blocking your own phone number, your number will not be displayed on the phone of the person who you are calling. Moreover, you can also block incoming calls from unwanted numbers or callers. If you are wondering how to block a phone number, the easiest way is to send a request to the service provider.

Blocking Your Own Phone Number

There are many times when we prefer to hide our identity when calling a particular number. This can be due to several reasons like playing a prank on your friend, or to conduct a business call without the need of revealing your personal number to the other person. Getting your phone number blocked might seem to be a technically challenging task, but in reality it is very simple. Moreover, you also need not deal with the technicalities of the issue. You are simply required to give a call to the customer care center of your respective service provider, and place a request to block your phone number from being displayed on the receiver's caller ID.

The 'line block' service is the easiest way to get your mobile phone number blocked permanently. For getting this service activated on your number, you are required to get in touch with the customer care center of the service provider and request them for the same. Before processing your request further, the customer care executive will ask you some questions like your address and date of birth, to confirm your identity. After activating the service, your cell phone number will not be featured on the receiver's caller ID. If you have this service activated, but want the other person to know about your identity, you need to dial *82 before dialing the other person's phone number. If you do not want to avail the line block service, but want to hide your identity from the call receiver, just dial *67 before the dialing phone number.

Blocking Unwanted Calls

If you do not want to be disturbed by unwanted callers, you have the option of availing the service provided by the National Do Not Call Registry (NDNCR), which is administered by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can register the phone numbers which are to be blocked at the NDNCR's website free of cost. After the registration is complete, unwanted calls would generally be blocked within 31 days. If you have a landline and want to block unwanted calls, you can purchase an inbound call blocker and connect it to the landline phone. This will allow you to receive calls only from particular callers. Generally, many service providers render call screening and call blocking services for a particular fee. You simply need to inform the company regarding the numbers to be blocked. If the blocked caller tries to phone you, he will receive a busy signal or will be directed to a prerecorded message stating that calls from his number are not accepted.

In addition to this, if you have a smartphone, there are third-party applications that can be installed on your phone that can block your number when you call people, as well as block your number when people call you. Depending on the phone you have, there are various sources where you can download or buy such applications. Also, there are few cell phone manufacturers who offer such phone number blocking services in the phone menu itself. All these can be used to block those pesky callers, or not to give your number when you call someone.

Knowing how to block a phone number is very useful, particularly when it comes to the user's privacy. However, you should remember that blocking a cell phone number would not work regarding emergency numbers or call tracing conducted by law enforcement. You need to ensure that the service is availed due to a genuine reason and is not misused in any way.