How to Block Restricted Calls: What You Can Do

Evelyn Sanderson - September 27, 2024

Restricted phone calls are on the rise. Unfortunately, it’s never been easier to hide your caller ID, and telemarketers, scammers, and others will use restricted numbers to try and get you to answer the phone. 

While caller ID tends to work in most situations, when people are intentionally trying to get around it, you won’t know who’s on the other line. Unfortunately, this applies to home phones, work phones, and even smartphones. In fact, someone can restrict their number by using a vertical service code (VSC) in less than a few minutes, so this problem is more common and rampant than you may think.

The good news is that we’re here to help. Whether you’re being harassed by someone with a restricted number or want to prevent this from happening to you in the future, we will show you how to block restricted calls once and for all. Read on to learn more.

What Is a Restricted Phone Number?

Restricted phone numbers are used by people who want to hide their caller ID. Therefore, when someone calls you with a restricted phone number you won’t be able to see the phone number of the caller. Additionally, their location, business name, and other details will be hidden.

People use restricted numbers to scam people, make telemarketing calls, or collect debt. We always recommend avoiding these callers unless they leave an important message and identify themselves. Even in these cases, make sure you verify their identity with a people search tool to avoid phone scams.

How to Block a Restricted Phone Number 

Blocking a restricted caller isn’t as simple as blocking your average caller. In fact, you’ll have to use vertical service codes, speak with your phone provider, or use a reverse phone lookup tool to find the necessary information to block the caller. That said, the good news is that you have options, and you can learn more about each one below.

1. Information.com 

The most efficient way to block a restricted number is to use one of our people search tools. These are tools that reveal anything publicly available about a phone number when you run a search. At Information.com, we offer a premium reverse phone lookup tool that can help you block someone’s phone number once you reveal the number.

Our reverse phone lookup tool is easy to use, but you will need to use a vertical service code (VSC) or contact your phone provider to discover the phone number first. Once you have the number, you can enter it into our reverse phone lookup tool to learn more about the caller. 

While it isn’t necessary to block a restricted caller, it can help you learn more about the caller, uncover other phone numbers they may use, and even help you verify their identity if you think it’s a scammer.

We can also help you if you don’t know their phone number. For example, if the caller of a restricted number leaves a message with their name or address, you can use our people search tool or address search tool. 

To use these tools you can enter their name or address into the search bar and learn more about the caller. These tools are helpful if you don’t believe that a caller is who they claim to be. 

2. Vertical Service Codes 

Another way to block a restricted caller is to use a vertical service code (VSC). You can do this by calling back the number with *69 and then blocking that number on your device. This works because when you call someone back with *69, it will automatically call the last number that rang your phone. Depending on the type of restricted call, this might work, and you can get lucky. 

Once you have the phone number you can block the caller on your device by going into your phone’s settings and blocking the number. The process is simple for Android and IOS devices. Simply head over to your recent calls, select the phone number, and select the block option.

3. Contact Your Service Provider 

Your phone service provider can help you block callers. To get this done, you’ll have to speak with them directly via phone or email. In fact, it’s a common misconception that phone stores represent a phone company because, many times, they’re just licensed phone sellers – like how Ford dealers are licensed to sell Ford vehicles and other cars. 

Therefore, you’ll have to pick up the phone or submit a request via email or the mobile app. If you know the number, you can have them block that number from calling your device. Still, you might have to do some detective work and figure out the dates and times that the number was calling your phone to have it blocked.

Your phone service provider can also help you prevent this from happening by helping you change your phone number.

3. Get the Authorities Involved 

When you want to block someone’s phone number but you’re out of options, you can always get the authorities involved. You’ll find that they love to help those who need it, and if you provide them with helpful details about the restricted caller there’s a good chance that they can help you resolve the issue.

Law enforcement also has more pull with phone service providers than the average citizen, so you shouldn’t have any issues there as well. That said, law enforcement personnel can’t always help, and it’s possible that you won’t learn the true identity of the caller if you go this route. 

Thankfully, that shouldn’t be too important because they can help you block the number and prevent them from reaching out to you again.

4. Contact the National Do Not Call Registry

The United States has a National Do Not Call Registry. Once your phone number is on this registry, telemarketers, scammers, and even robocalls can’t contact you. This is one of the best ways to stop restricted phone calls on their tracks, even if you’re not technically blocking the caller’s number.

To sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry you can visit their website. From there, agree to the terms, enter your phone number, and check to see if you’re still getting calls from restricted phone numbers. Make sure you give the registry some time to add your number – it can take around 24 to 48 hours for the process to be completed.

Block Restricted Calls Today 

Blocking restricted calls is important for a plethora of reasons. Not only can it keep you safe from scammers, spammers, and robocalls, but it can give you peace if you keep getting calls from these types of numbers.

That said, if you want to block restricted calls, you need to take the appropriate measures. You need to figure out what number is calling you or learn more about the caller’s identity to block all of their phone numbers, emails, and other types of contact.

Once you have this information you can block them on your device, seek help from your phone service provider, or even work with the authorities. To get the information you need, we always recommend starting with our people search tool for the fastest and most accurate results.