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Use call screening rather than silencing every unknown number: keep important contacts available, label or send unfamiliar calls to voicemail, and block repeat unwanted numbers individually. Political calls are not all illegal, and the U.S. National Do Not Call Registry generally does not stop them.

Set up screening without shutting out legitimate callers

A broad filter can catch calls you want. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) cautions that call-blocking services may block wanted calls, too. If you could miss a time-sensitive call from a doctor, school, delivery service, or workplace, favor caller labeling, screening, or sending unknown callers to voicemail over rejecting every number outside your contacts. The FTC explains the difference between call blocking and call labeling.

  1. Keep key numbers in your contacts. Add people and organizations whose calls you need to recognize, and check whether your phone or call-filtering service has an allow list.
  2. Choose a reviewable response for unfamiliar numbers. Depending on your phone or service, a filter may label, silence, block, or send a call to voicemail. Check its settings and blocked-call log, and make sure you know how to retrieve a missed call or unblock a number.
  3. Block repeat nuisance callers one number at a time. This is the narrowest response when the same number keeps calling. It may not help when callers use changing or spoofed numbers.

Caller ID is not proof of who is calling: scammers can make a different number appear on your screen. Treat number-based blocking as one layer, not a guarantee that the apparent caller or source has been identified. See the FTC’s robocall guidance.

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Choose a call-filtering option for your phone service

The available features depend on whether you use a mobile phone, an internet-based phone service (VoIP), or a traditional landline. Ask your provider what call-blocking and caller-labeling services it offers, whether they cost extra, and how to review calls they filter. The FTC describes the following options; availability and terms vary.

#1 Best Overall
CPR V5000 Call Blocker for Landline Phones - You Can Manually Block All Calls with the Big Red Button - Pre-Programmed with 5,000 Known Nuisance Numbers - Caller ID is Required
  • COMPATIBILITY: For traditional analog landline phones and services from providers such as AT&T, Verizon, Frontier Communications, CenturyLink, and Brightspeed. Not compatible with internet-based or digital phone services (VoIP), including Vonage, Ooma, Xfinity Voice, and Quantum Fiber.
  • IMPORTANT: The V5000 CPR Call Blocker requires Caller ID service and an analog telephone line. Without Caller ID, incoming numbers cannot be identified or blocked. No mains power required - just plug it into your phone line and use.
  • Powerful Blocking, Made Simple: Preloaded with 5,000 verified scam and nuisance numbers, the V5000 starts protecting you right out of the box. And if a new or spoofed number gets through, the large “BLOCK NOW” button makes it easy to instantly block it - up to 1,500 additional numbers at your command.
  • Realistic & Reliable Protection: While no device can stop 100% of spam (scammers constantly change numbers), the V5000 gives you the power to shut down repeat offenders quickly and effectively - offering more control than passive filters alone.
  • Hassle-Free Design: NO POWER supply needed, NO APP, and NO SUBSCRIPTIONS. The V5000 is easy to install, with a clear screen and loud button click for extra confidence. Designed with seniors in mind, it’s ready to use and simple to maintain. For even stronger protection, you can pair it with your phone provider’s spam filtering service.
Phone service Options to check What to verify
Mobile phone Built-in phone features, call-blocking apps, and carrier services Whether calls are labeled, silenced, blocked, or sent to voicemail; whether contacts can be allow-listed; how to review or restore filtered calls. Review an app’s permissions and privacy practices, since some apps access contacts.
VoIP Filtering options from your internet phone service provider Which call types the service filters and how to check missed or blocked calls.
Traditional landline Filtering from your phone provider or a compatible physical call-blocking device Compatibility with your line and phone setup, current cost, and how to retrieve calls blocked by mistake. No specific device is established here as suitable for every landline.

For more detail on these categories, consult the FTC’s guide to blocking unwanted calls. Avoid choosing a filter solely because it promises to block every political call: aggressive blocking can hide wanted calls, and caller ID can be spoofed.

Understand what the Do Not Call Registry can—and cannot—do

The National Do Not Call Registry is intended to limit most telemarketing sales calls; it is not a reliable way to stop political calls. The FTC says political calls are allowed under Registry rules when they do not also include a sales pitch. Registering a number therefore does not mean campaign calls will stop. Read the FTC’s Registry FAQs for the rules and exceptions.

Rank #2
CPR V100K Call Blocker for Landline Phones - Requires Caller ID
  • REDUCE UNWANTED CALLS & TAKE BACK CONTROL – The CPR V100K helps reduce unwanted spam, scam and robocalls on your landline. Known nuisance numbers in the preloaded database are blocked automatically, while new unwanted callers can be blocked at the touch of a button.
  • 100,000 KNOWN NUISANCE NUMBERS PRELOADED – Includes a large database of known nuisance numbers for immediate protection. The database contains reported nuisance numbers from across the USA and is not a list of 100,000 numbers specific to your local area.
  • BLOCK NEW CALLERS WITH ONE TOUCH – Scam callers frequently change or spoof their phone numbers, so no call blocker can stop every unwanted call automatically. When a new unwanted number gets through, simply press the large red BLOCK NOW button to prevent repeat calls from that number. Store up to 10,000 additional numbers.
  • SIMPLE TO USE – NO APP OR SUBSCRIPTION – Connect the V100K to your compatible landline and start taking control of unwanted calls. No app, Wi-Fi, monthly subscription or external power supply required. The large display and tactile BLOCK NOW button make it particularly easy to use.
  • IMPORTANT COMPATIBILITY INFORMATION – Requires an active Caller ID service. Designed for compatible traditional analog landline services. Not compatible with many internet-based or digital VoIP telephone services. Please check your telephone service before ordering.

Know the federal rules for political robocalls

Federal rules distinguish mobile devices from landlines for political campaign-related calls made with autodialing or prerecorded voice. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) consumer guide says such calls—including autodialed live calls, autodialed texts, and prerecorded voice messages—are prohibited to cell phones and other mobile devices without prior express consent. It says political campaign-related autodialed or prerecorded calls may be made to landlines without that consent. The guide also says an artificial or prerecorded political call must identify the initiating individual or entity at the beginning of the message.

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These are federal rules described in the FCC’s Political Robocall Restrictions consumer guide, not a claim that every political call is unlawful. The call technology, whether consent was given, the line type, message content, and applicable state law can matter. For a specific case, check current FCC materials and relevant state law.

Rank #3
TelPal Call Blocker Box for Landline Phones with Caller ID Display, 4000 Number Capacity - to Block Hidden Numbers, Telemarketer Calls, Nuisance Calls, Hidden Numbers,Area Codes & Spam Calls
  • This is the latest version Telephone Call Blocker with hidden or unavailable call numbers can be blocked. And there is no fees to use it; Please keep the manual for future use.
  • Block up to 4000 individual phone numbers, including incoming and outgoing calls , prefixes and up to 10 digit area codes.
  • One-touch to Block: Locate a number and then press Block to add it to the blacklist.Better set the call blocker in series ( one end of it connected to your phone and another end to the PSTN telephone line); Though it can also be set up parallel, but not compatible with some phone systems.
  • Permanent storage of the numbers in the blacklist even power is off or telephone line is plugged out.
  • Battery free: It is line powered, no need battery. And it works with almost all single line telephones. If you find some numbers are blocked but you never mean to, then press Block and check your blacklist, then delete those numbers which like area codes or prefix numbers.
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Handle suspicious calls and report suspected violations

If a recorded call seems suspicious or illegal, do not provide personal or financial information, press buttons in response, or call back using a number in the message or on caller ID. The displayed number may be spoofed. Hang up and use contact information you find independently if you need to reach an organization.

Best Value
Enf860 Call Blocker for Landline Phones, Blacklist/Whitelist Dual Mode, Block spam Calls by Number and Name
  • [ IMPORTANT NOTE 1 ] This product is a call blocker only and does not have a telephone or answering machine function. No phone or answering machine is included in the package. Before purchasing, please make sure that your telephone line has Caller ID service and that it is an ANALOG line. the ENF860 requires Caller ID service from your telephone line provider to work and is for analog lines only ! No mains power required, just plug in the phone line to use
  • [ IMPORTANT NOTE 2 ] In BLOCK mode, there will STILL BE some new variant numbers bypassing the database making the phone ring, you NEED to manually set up to block them OR switch to FAMILY mode to let only the numbers in FAMILY LIST through. Please refer to the manual for the CORRECT SETTINGS.
  • Dual mode;In BLOCK mode you can block callers by Numbers and Names; In FAMILY mode all callers outside the FAMILY LIST are blocked;The two modes can be switched at any time as needed and NO data will be lost after switching modes.
  • Preloaded with a large number of spam numbers that have been the subject of repeated complaints ; Users can also manually add 4000+ numbers to the NUMBER LIST to build their own database ; Add 256 NAMES to block calls by name.
  • Blocks INTERNATIONAL, PRIVATE/WITHHELD, and Out of Area numbers by default; users can SET to block the entire area code or changing numbers starting with a fixed number, such as 00, 800, 855, 999, 7324, 33626, 134567, etc.
Rank #4
Digitone ProSeries 3 Call Blocker Automatic SPAM Blocking for Landline Phones - Easy Setup One Button Blocking of RoboCalls
  • How it Works: SPAM identified calls are instantly blocked automatically. Preferred Calls Ring through like normal with Caller ID displayed. Your phones connected to the TEL port Won't Ring on Blocked Calls. Create your own Invited or Allowed Family (White List) and block All other callers. Use the Dual Block Buttons to Block a NAME or NUMBER Displayed. Remote Block a Call when Dialing * 2 # through your telephone handset.
  • The Patented ProSeries 3 Call Blocker from Digitone is an Easy Installation and is Simple to Use. No need to rush over and tap a red button when the ProSeries has already blocked a known unwanted SPAM, Out of Area, Private, Anonymous, 800 Service, ROBO?, Dashes, "Quotes" or V123+ call. Use Call History to select Any Caller to Block by (Double Tap) Name or Number. Block any NAME like: Unavailable, Unknown, SCAM RISK, City + State, Potential Scam, Wireless Caller. Block ANY call without answering, as they call in with either RED button.
  • Feel confident that the ProSeries already Blocks Millions of Known Unwanted Numbers and Fake Names. No need to change your existing phones or service. Works with Any Analog Corded, Cordless Phone or Fax System on any telephone service. Large Back-Lighted Display. Got questions? Call the number on the front screen of the ProSeries 3.
  • Works with all USA phone companies: AT&T, Cox, Spectrum, CenturyLink, Cable Modems, DSL, FIOS, or Digital Services from VoIP Telcos like [V] from Verizon, Ooma Telo, Ooma Basic, Vonage, Magic Jack etc. Also, works in Mexico, Canada, Brazil, European Union (ETSI), Australia, Singapore and others with North American standardized phone lines.
  • Allow any blocked caller to ring through like normal with the Green Invite Button. Double Tap the Green Button to add VIP callers shown in Call History. Note: Caller ID Name and Number Service from your phone company is required for this model to work automatically.
  1. Record useful details. Note the date and time, the caller-ID number, and any number the message tells you to call. A spoofed number may not identify the caller, but the details can still help with a complaint.
  2. Report the call to the appropriate agency. The FCC guide explains how to report suspected unlawful political robocalls or texts to the FCC. The FTC accepts reports about illegal robocalls through its robocall guidance.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.