Can you prevent spam calls to landline?

[dakotamar]

so 3 calls today alone from 'VISA security'.   I have no call display and this is getting annoying.  we get this call regularly and also 'microsoft'.  I was hoping this was going to stop after reading bell was putting in new software to stop this but I guess that was only on their mobile network as it hasn't made a difference on my landline. (still twisted pair).

any solutions to put a stop to these calls?  it would be nice if bell at least offered free call display if they can't regulate their network.

[WelshTerrier · Accepted solution]

How to use Call Privacy on my Bell Home phone

Call Privacy blocks incoming calls from private and unknown phone numbers. Note: This feature requires Call Display. There are numerous features associated with Call Privacy. E.g.  Call Privacy Lists, Call Blocking unwanted numbers, Peace & Quiet, etc. etc. The link I have attached is comprehensive & is a must read in order to setup & understand Call Privacy.

Turning Call Privacy on or off

First, press *11 from your Bell Home phone to access the Call Privacy main menu.

• To turn Call Privacy ON, press 1 and then 2.
• To turn Call Privacy OFF, press 1 and then 1.

Selective Acceptance List

Selective Acceptance screens incoming calls against a list of numbers you specify and then accepts calls from only those numbers on the list. All other incoming calls from unknown or private numbers that are not on the selective acceptance list will be redirected to voicemail.

Creating a Selective Acceptance List

To add a number to your Selective Acceptance List:

1. Press *11 from your Bell Home phone to access the Call Privacy main menu.
2. Press 3 and then 1.
3. Enter a 10-digit phone number to add to your list.

Here is a web link that will explain this feature; how to use it; & the setup.

How to use Call Privacy on my Bell Home phone : What is Call Privacy?

[SallySue]

We are at about 2 to 3 times a day getting ringing on our home phone. It rings twice and hangs up. Morning, noon and around 5pm

[BellPatricia]

Hi @SallySue,
Welcome to the Bell Community, and thank you for reaching out.
Are you subscribed to Fibe home phone or copper home phone service?
Does the call originate from the same phone number? If you are able to pick up when you receive the call, do you hear anything on the line?

- Patricia

[SallySue]

Bell Fibe TV Bundle

Sometimes connects to a foreign call centre in the past trying to sell things although we no longer pickup because then calls can increase. We do not have call display as we rarely use the landline. Have been placed on do not call list in the past but only helped for a while. 

[frustrated613]

How do I block all calls originating form the Wisconsin area. I want to block any calls using the 4 digits after 608 819 or failing that all from area code 608

[Monkey]

My home number is registered on the Do Not Call list, yet I continue to receive calls from a telemarketer. I would like to block incoming calls from the number. All of the instructions are on how to block my number when I make a call. How can I avoid getting calls from this annoying agency?

[JustAnother_User]

I don't mean just a service where you can block specific numbers.  I mean one that recognizes when a call is coming from a robodialer and blocks it.  Does Bell have such a service?

[JustAnother_User]

If Bell does *not* have such a service, that would be useful to know, too.  Thanks.

[Real Person]

Every day I get spam calls wanting info. Claiming to be from Amazon, Ontario Govt. Bell, different banks etc.

How can I block them ???

I know they are all spam

[KLG]

Totally agree with your comment.

I posted a similar message at least a year ago asking why Bell doesn't have a similar system to Telus. On Telus an incoming caller is asked to tap a key on their phone before the call is continued to you. 

[brogaduce]

It is generally impossible to block spam numbers, as the number they spoof is usually a number that they recently tried with no answer or out of service. I once tried to call back and got a guy called Mike who was completely unaware that anyone was using his number. So their autodialer remembers previously out of service numbers to use as their caller id.

From my experience with email systems, a 30 second connection delay will stop 90% of spam emails. I don't think this would work across the entire Bell network. In Canada, only registered charities and political parties are allowed to use autodialers. You would think that they could detect the patterns. 

According to what I have seen on the internet, the spammers take advantage of phone companies in their countries who will sell trunks to anyone without investigating if they are legit. What would happen if Bell were to fine them by charging them $1 per call plus a higher by minute rate. That would slow them down.

[Elvis1]

I have started to call forward these calls to Bell Canada. Maybe they will do something constructive with these calls. I am getting 6 or 8 calls per hour and am ready to cancell my service. Elvis1

[Jack A]

We frequently (10 - 15 per day) get calls that have no person at the calling end.  Answer the call and it is automatically disconnected.  Sometimes these calls ring just once or twice and then quit.  These calls come from multiple area codes and are frequently from our own area code and exchange.  there's never anyone there when the call is answered.  There is never a caller name but the calling number is always displayed so it's impossible to tell our (cordless digital) phone to block them.  We can't be the only people with this problem.  What can we or BELL do to fix it?

[dks · Accepted solution]

What can Bell do? Not much, unfortunately. Spammers are always one step ahead of the game. What we can do is use a phone with Caller ID. My own practice is to not answer calls from numbers which I don't recognize or calls which do not identify themselves by name. If someone wants to speak to me, they can leave a message on Call answer. 

[Glenview Cr]

Every 15, 20 min on average all day. Blocking numbers. What else can I do?