Stop unwanted calls

We get lots of complaints about unwanted computerized calls, and we get it - no one likes robocalls. To help you identify them, we've added a new Spam Alerts feature to your home phone's Caller ID. Your Caller ID will show "SPAM?" before caller's name that have been identified* as a possible unsolicited call.

*A complex and always-improving algorithm is used to determine which calls match the SPAM criteria. While we're focused on identifying and alerting you to these types of calls, you may still receive unsolicited calls from spammers/scammers as these calls will not be blocked automatically. You still choose which calls you want to answer and which ones you don't.

To report numbers that you believe should be listed as spam, or incorrectly labeled as such, please visit spamalerts.verizon.com.

You can use Anonymous Call Rejection to reject most phone calls from callers who have blocked the display of their telephone numbers from being seen from Caller ID. When the service is on, your phone will not ring if callers have blocked the display of their number. Instead, callers will hear an announcement saying that you are not accepting blocked calls. They will be instructed to hang up, unblock their number, and dial again if they want to reach you.

The service does not block calls made to you from outside your local calling area or through operator assistance. All calling features are subject to availability and compatibility restrictions.

To set up Anonymous Call Rejection, sign in to your My Verizon account and select:

• Account Manager > Calling Features > Incoming Call Block > Reject All Anonymous Calls > Activate Incoming Call Block

You can also use the My Fios app by selecting:

• Phone > Options tab > Calling Features > Block Incoming Calls > Block Anonymous Calls

You can manage your calling features through the My Fios app and My Verizon:

How to activate Do Not Disturb

To activate and/or deactivate Do Not Disturb using your Fios home phone, press:

     *78 to activate and/or *79 to deactivate

Block numbers in the My Fios app by selecting:

• Phone > Options tab > Calling Features > Do Not Disturb
   

Don’t have the My Fios app?

Call Trace automatically initiates a trace of the last call you received. You can use this feature to trace unlawful or threatening calls that alarm, frighten, or harass you.
 

Your phone is already equipped for Call Trace. To activate the service, simply press *57 on your landline phone. Charges and fees for using Call Trace may vary. The records of all traced calls will be released to a law enforcement agency only. The action taken by law enforcement may vary by area.

Note: if you are threatened with bodily harm or an explosive device, use Call Trace and immediately contact your local police department. All calling features are subject to availability and compatibility restrictions.

 

See also:

Call Blocking Devices

To activate or deactivate Anonymous Call Block, press:

• *77 to activate Anonymous Call Block or dial 1177 on rotary or pulse-dialing phones, listen for a recording or confirmation tone
• *87 to deactivate Anonymous Call Block or dial 1187 on rotary or pulse-dialing phones, listen for a recording or confirmation tone

Note: after you activate the service, it will remain on until you deactivate it.

If you have turned on Anonymous Call Block, numbers on Priority Call or Select Call Forwarding lists will reach you even if the numbers are blocked.

This service subject to availability for new customers based on location. If you currently subscribe to Call Block you will continue to receive it.

Calls made to you from outside your local calling area, through operator assistance, or from cell phones and some business phones cannot be blocked. All calling features are subject to availability and compatibility restrictions.

By following the voice-recorded instructions, you can add the number of the last person who called you, add a new number, or change an existing number on your list. The voice-recorded instructions will also tell you how to add to your list if your list is full.

To activate or deactivate your Call Block list, press:

• *60 or dial 1160 on rotary or pulse-dialing phones
• *80 or dial 1180 on rotary or pulse-dialing phones

Note: In some areas, you must press 3 to Call Block off.

Call Trace initiates a trace of the last call you received. You can use this feature to trace unlawful or threatening calls that alarm, frighten, or harass you. All calling features are subject to availability and compatibility restrictions, some calls may not be traced.

Your phone is already equipped for Call Trace. To activate the service, simply press *57 (rotary phones dial 1-1-5-7). Charges and fees for using Call Trace may vary.

Note: You must repeat the steps above each time you want to trace a call.

How to take further action by establishing a case

Some states require you to trace two or more calls to establish a case. The records of all traced calls will be released to a law enforcement agency only. The action taken by law enforcement may vary by area.

Note: this service is no longer available to new customers. If you currently subscribe to this service, you will continue to receive the service, but you will not be permitted to re-subscribe to it if you remove it or transfer it to another customer at your current location or to a new location.

Before you use Do Not Disturb, you must first set up the list of numbers you want to block. You can change your Do Not Disturb list at any time.

To program Do Not Disturb service call 1.800.527.7070, select:

• Do Not Disturb Service, enter the last 4 digits of your phone number as your temporary PIN and follow the instructions to change to a new, permanent 4-digit PIN

To program Do Not Disturb service call 1.800.527.7070, enter:

• 10-digit phone number > Do Not Disturb PIN, follow the recorded instructions to make the change you want to make

To activate Selective Call Blocking:

• Press *67 or dial 1167 on a rotary dial phone, listen for the confirmation tone, followed by the dial tone and dial the phone number of the party you wish to call
• The word "Private" or "P" will appear on the display unit of the called party
• Your call will be blocked for one-time use only

Selective Call Blocking turns off after each call. You must reactivate the service each time you want your telephone number blocked. If the called number has Anonymous Call Rejection activated, your call will not be answered.

Note: not all calls can be blocked. Calls to 911, toll-free (800 or 877) or 700/900 services, and some 311 services cannot be blocked. Calls to some wireless customers may not be blocked. All calling features are subject to availability and compatibility restrictions.

All calls with prerecorded telemarketing sales messages are illegal unless you agreed to be called. Some non-marketing robocalls (such as political and charitable calls to landiline phones) are authorized by law in most states, even if they are unwanted.

We stop many robocalls before they can get to you. We monitor our networks to detect spikes in suspicious calls, and then work with law enforcement and with other telephone companies to shut down illegal robocallers. Verizon also works with other telephone companies and industry standards organizations to develop new technologies to stop robocalls, and we support federal legislation to better go after the source – the scammers who make these calls.

• Hang up the phone, Do NOT interact with the caller, Do NOT call back in order to be taken off the list – calling back can cause you to get more calls because the scammers know you are a real person
• If you do end up in a conversation with a scammer, never reveal any personal information such as passwords, social security numbers, or account numbers
• If you are not sure whether a caller is a scammer or not, hang up immediately, remember that legitimate callers do not call asking for personal information
• Report the call to the FTC at DoNotCall.gov or ReportFraud.ftc.gov
  
  • Information to include: time and date of call, the number that appeared on your Caller ID screen, your telephone number, and a description of the message
  • You normally won't see immediate action, but the FTC's complaint database is important – it helps government agencies and companies go after illegal robocallers and come up with new ways to attack the problem
• Some call blocking applications like Verizon Call Filter will allow you to report calls to improve the accuracy of the service