How to block a number on a UK home phone (landline)

Blocking a nuisance number on a UK home phone is more flexible than most people realise. You no longer need a special handset — every major landline provider now has free network-level call barring, and you can layer that with a call-blocker phone and your provider's service for withheld calls. This guide covers all three, by provider, plus what to do when the calls won't stop.

#Block a specific number with your provider

The quickest free option is your provider's own call-barring service. Most also maintain a shared blocklist of known scam and nuisance numbers and divert those to voicemail automatically.

#Network-level scam blocking is automatic

Beyond your own blocklist, providers run network filters that catch numbers reported by other customers. BT says Call Protect already diverts a large share of nuisance calls before they ring. You don't need to add these manually — they're on by default once the service is enabled. For the mobile equivalents (EE Scam Shield, O2 Call Defence, Vodafone Call Protect, Three's filter), see how to block spam calls on UK mobiles and landlines.

#Call-blocker handsets

If you get a lot of calls or want to protect an older relative, a call-blocker phone is the most robust option because it works at the handset regardless of provider:

• BT Advanced Call Blocker (e.g. BT 4600/8600) — blocks up to 1,000 numbers and can force unknown callers to announce themselves before the phone rings.
• trueCall — an add-on box that screens every caller; trusted numbers ring straight through, unknowns are challenged, blocked numbers are rejected.
• Panasonic call-block handsets — a dedicated block button stores nuisance numbers as they arrive.

These pair well with provider barring: the network filter removes the bulk of scam traffic, and the handset handles anything that slips through plus the 'announce unknown callers' screening that providers don't offer.

#Blocking withheld and anonymous calls

Call barring needs a number to block, so it can't stop a withheld ('No Caller ID') call. On a BT line there are two services for those. BT Call Protect, which BT includes with its home phone package and which you manage in My BT or by dialling 1572 (free), can send withheld numbers to a junk voicemail. Anonymous Call Reject, which BT lists at £8.49 a month, turns withheld callers away with a message asking them to redial without withholding. Other providers have their own arrangements, so ask yours what it offers. The full breakdown, including what 1471 tells you about a withheld call and who to report malicious calls to, is in withheld 'No Caller ID' calls in the UK. (If instead you're trying to *make* your own calls show as No Caller ID, see how to turn on No Caller ID.)

#If the calls keep coming

1. 1

   Register with the TPS

   The Telephone Preference Service is the free UK opt-out from live sales and marketing calls. It won't stop scammers, but it makes legitimate cold-calling unlawful after 28 days.

2. 2

   Report nuisance and silent calls to Ofcom

   Ofcom can fine companies behind silent and abandoned calls up to £2m. Report the pattern via Ofcom's complaints page.

3. 3

   Report scams to Report Fraud

   If a call tried to defraud you, report it to Report Fraud (or Police Scotland on 101 in Scotland) so it feeds the national intelligence picture.

4. 4

   Dial 101 for harassment

   Repeated, threatening or harassing calls are a criminal matter under the Malicious Communications Act 1988. Keep a log and report to police on 101 — or 999 if you feel threatened.

#Bottom line

To block a number on a UK home phone, start with your provider's free call barring — BT Call Protect, Sky Talk Shield, Virgin, TalkTalk CallSafe or EE Call Protect — which also auto-divert known scam numbers. Add your provider's service for withheld calls (on BT, Call Protect or Anonymous Call Reject) and a call-blocker handset if the volume is high. When calls cross into harassment, log them and report to police on 101.