You can control who calls your house. By using calling features, changing your directory listing and signing up for the do-not-call list, you can reduce unwanted calls to your home phone.
There are several ways you can restrict 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 having problems with telemarketing calls, you can add your phone number to the National Do Not Call Registry.
There are a few different tools CenturyLink offers in some service areas to limit unwanted phone solicitations, including "robocalls" or computerized telemarketing calls and scams.
CenturyLink partners with Nomorobo for Digital Home Phone customers, giving them access to this third party application designed to block robocalls. Here's how to set it up:
Digital Home Phone customers only, follow these steps:
For more information on Nomorobo and how it works, visit Nomorobo.com
The No Solicitation feature blocks calls and functions like a screening service.
No Solicitation screens your calls from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. every day. An automatic message asks solicitors to hang up and tells regular callers to press 1 to complete the call. This feature relies on the honesty of the calling party, trusting that they will hang up if they're trying to solicit your business. But in fact, anyone can press 1 and be connected through to your home phone. If you're trying to block a harassing caller, this feature is unlikely to be effective.
You must order the No Solicitation featuer and have it added to your account in order to use it. When it's initially installed, it's turned OFF, so you need to turn it ON. For more information and instructions on how to use this feature, you can download the No Solicitation user guide.
Security Screen also blocks calls and works like a screening service by requiring that callers either share their phone number or be disconnected. People calling from blocked, unidentified, toll-free and long-distance numbers hear a message saying that you do not accept unidentified calls. They are then given the option to enter their 10-digit phone number or hang up.
To manage this feature, call 1-888-(your area code)-8052 and select Security Screen from the menu. Then, follow the recorded instructions. For more information further instructions, you can download the Security Screen user guide.
Caller ID with the Privacy+ feature intercepts calls that don't show Caller ID information. Callers can record their names, then you decide which calls to accept or reject. You should notice a reduction in the number of calls you receive, since most telemarketers will hang up without recording a name. To manage this feature, call 888-(your area code)-8052.
Select Privacy+ from the menu when prompted, and follow the recorded instructions. For more information and instructions on using this feature, you can download the Caller ID with Privacy+ user guide.
If you have questions or would like to change or add calling features to your account, chat with us. We're here to help!
More information on what to do and what not to do about robocalls is available on the USTelecom website. You can also visit the FCC web page for stopping unwanted calls, texts, and faxes.
The National Do Not Call Registry (often referred to as the "Do Not Call" list) is managed by the Federal Trade Commission and gives people a way to stop relentless phone solicitors and telemarketers.
If you would like to block unwanted calls to your home or cell phone, you can add your number(s) to the Do Not Call list. It's a free service, and once your number has been on the list for 31 days, telemarketers should 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 is on the list, you may occasionally still receive calls you don't 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 you've given written permission to contact you. Be careful to read the fine print whenever you sign an agreement, as you may be granting that entity permission to contact you.
Did you know? If you ask a company to place your phone number on its internal do-not-call list, they must honor your request. It's always a good idea to keep a record of the date you made the request, just in case they fail to follow through and you need to file a complaint.
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.
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 first installed, it's turned OFF, so you need to turn it ON.
This calling feature only stops ANONYMOUS and PRIVATE calls. Other types of calls that lack the info needed for caller ID, such as OUT OF AREA, UNAVAILABLE, UNKNOWN or NOT PROVIDED, cannot be blocked with this feature.
Use Call Rejection when you want to block specific phone numbers from reaching you. To do this, you create a list of phone numbers that you want to reject. Then anyone calling from a number on your list will not be able to 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, that person hears a message saying you're not accepting calls.
The Call Rejection feature has to be ordered and added to your account. When it's first installed, it's turned OFF, so you need to turn it ON. Here are some specific instructions for using and configuring Call Rejection.
With Call Rejection, you can block up to 10 numbers. If you want to block additional numbers (up to 25), Enhanced Call Rejection is available in some areas.
If one of the above blocking features doesn't quite sound like what you need, we have other calling features available as well that may be able to block specific calls that you don't want getting through.
In addition, you can take some of the following steps to reduce unwanted calls:
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:
Call Trace is already installed on your line. You don't have to order it or have it installed, and you will only be charged if you successfully complete a trace. Note: This feature is available in most areas. However, if you attempt a trace and hear a rapid busy tone instead of recorded instructions, it may not be offered in your area.
After three successful traces, contact the CenturyLink Annoyance Call Bureau at 800-582-0655 for help in resolving the problem. Or, if the situation is escalating and you feel your wellbeing is at risk, contact your local police 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!