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- Most methods to block landline spam calls are free and take minutes to set up.
- The National Do Not Call Registry and Anonymous Call Rejection (*77) are the best free first steps.
- Upfirst provides an affordable AI call screening option for small businesses.
Americans receive an average of 6 to 8 spam calls daily. No single method stops all of them, but the right combination can make a real difference.
This guide covers free and paid ways to block unwanted calls on your landline, from government registries to AI-powered call screening.
How to block spam calls on landline
1. Register with the National Do Not Call Registry (free)
The National Do Not Call Registry is the easiest first step you can take. Registration is permanent and free. It takes less than two minutes.
Visit donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the number you want to register. Within 31 days, legitimate telemarketers are legally required to stop calling you.
The catch: scammers and fraudsters ignore the registry entirely. That is why you need additional layers. But this step alone reduces the volume of calls from real companies trying to sell you something.
2. Use Anonymous Call Rejection, *77 (free)
Most landline carriers support Anonymous Call Rejection, a free feature that blocks calls from private or blocked numbers. Pick up your phone and dial *77. You should hear a confirmation tone.
After activation, anyone calling from a hidden number hears a message saying you do not accept blocked calls. They can unblock their number and try again if the call is legitimate.
To turn it off, dial *87.
This feature is available on most major carriers including Verizon, AT&T, and CenturyLink. It works well against anonymous spam callers, though it will not stop calls that display a spoofed number.
3. Install a spam blocker device (paid)
Physical call blockers provide a simple, one-time purchase solution. These devices sit between your phone and the wall jack, blocking unwanted numbers automatically.
Here is how they generally work:
• Number matching: Most blockers come pre-loaded with thousands of known spam numbers. They detect and block repeat offenders automatically.
• Block list: You can add numbers manually with the press of a button. Some devices let you block up to 10,000 extra numbers.
• Spam detection: Some devices analyze calling patterns and flag numbers that resemble robocalls.
• Whitelisting: Create a list of trusted contacts and block everything else. This is the most aggressive option.
Spam blocker devices are especially useful if you are a caregiver for an elderly person, since scammers often target older adults. You can worry a little less about someone being taken advantage of.
If you run a business, hardware blockers can be overly aggressive. They sometimes block legitimate callers, which means you could miss a customer or a new lead.
4. Try Nomorobo (free for VoIP landlines)
Nomorobo is a free robocall blocking service for VoIP and internet-based landlines. It identifies known robocallers and telemarketers, silencing them after one ring before your phone picks up.
If your landline runs through a cable or internet provider (Verizon Fios, Spectrum, Xfinity, or similar), you can sign up at nomorobo.com and activate it through your provider's account portal.
Nomorobo does not work with traditional copper landlines. If your phone connects directly to a wall jack without an internet connection, you will need one of the other methods on this list.
5. Use a call screening service
Robocalls are easy to hang up on, but they still waste your time. With call screening, you get a preview of who is calling before you decide to pick up.
Google Voice provides a free virtual phone number with basic spam filtering. When someone calls your Google Voice number, it prompts them to state their name, then plays it back to you. Press 1 to accept or 2 to send it to voicemail.
The downside is limited landline integration. You need to give out your Google Voice number instead of your existing landline number for screening to work.
Upfirst is an AI-powered answering service that screens calls on your existing landline. You forward calls from your landline to Upfirst. The AI receptionist answers, screens calls, takes messages, and can schedule appointments. You receive a text or email with a call summary and transcript. For important calls, the service forwards them directly to you.
The benefit: you keep your existing number while gaining advanced call screening. Based on your rules, Upfirst can either forward the call to you or take a message, so you only deal with calls that matter.
How to block specific numbers on your landline
Using *60 to block individual numbers (free)
Most landlines support the *60 feature code, which lets you block specific numbers directly from your phone:
1. Pick up your handset and dial *60. You will hear instructions.
2. Follow the prompts to add the number you want to block, or dial #01# to block the most recent caller.
3. To block additional numbers, dial # followed by the number (include the area code), then # again.
The main limitation is that most carriers cap your block list at 10 to 12 numbers. New spam numbers rotate constantly, so the list fills up fast.
Popular carriers that support *60 blocking:
• Verizon
• AT&T
• Spectrum
Reporting unwanted calls: fighting back
Blocking a call gives you quick relief, but reporting it helps everyone in the long run. When you report a spam call, you help authorities track down the people behind them.
The FTC Complaint Assistant (ftc.gov/complaint) gathers data on spam calls to spot trends and take action against the worst offenders. Since 2015, these reports have helped secure $208 million in fines against illegal robocallers.
Check with your state's Attorney General office as well. Many states have dedicated teams fighting phone scams, especially those targeting seniors.
Combining methods for maximum protection
The most effective approach layers multiple methods:
1. Start with the National Do Not Call Registry as your baseline
2. Activate Anonymous Call Rejection (*77) to block hidden numbers
3. Use *60 to block specific repeat offenders
4. Consider a hardware blocker or Nomorobo if spam volume is high
5. For complete protection, implement a call screening service like Upfirst
This layered approach handles both known spam numbers and new callers you have never seen before.
Wrapping up
Unwanted calls do not have to be an inevitable part of having a landline. Most of the methods above are free and take minutes to set up.
If you receive only occasional spam, the Do Not Call Registry combined with *77 and *60 blocking might be enough. For heavier spam volume, a hardware blocker, Nomorobo, or an AI call screening service can help you reclaim some quiet.
Every blocked call is one less interruption and one less chance for a scammer to reach you or your loved ones.
For small businesses: screening calls without missing leads
If you run a service-based business, accidentally blocking a potential customer would be frustrating. Hardware blockers can be too aggressive for businesses that rely on incoming calls from unknown numbers.
From moving companies to real estate agents, Upfirst makes call answering affordable for small businesses. The AI receptionist answers each call, identifies who is calling, and based on your guidelines, either forwards the call to you or takes a message. You can go further and let it book appointments, answer common questions, and qualify leads.
Keep the spam out while staying on top of the calls that matter. Try Upfirst free today.
Nick Lau is a copywriter and content lead for Upfirst.ai. A self-starter at heart, he dove into marketing in 2015 by launching an e-commerce company, selling private-labeled products on Amazon and Shopify. When he’s not crafting copy, you might spot him on a winding road trip to the coasts or through forests, in search of unexplored places.
