This topic

Call Protect 1572

Koala456 — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 17:52:37 GMT

Hello and Happy New Year! 🎊🎊

I have Call Protect 1572 and have two questions about it.

1) Is it possible to block an incoming call without answering it? At the moment I have to answer the call before I am able to block it on Call Protect and this means having to answer a call I don't want to answer! (and talk to scam callers I want to block!) An option to enter a number I want to block would be good, but I want to be able to do this on the phone, not online.

2) Is there any way of unblocking a blocked number on Call Protect without having to set up a MyBT account online to do so?

I hope you can answer my questions.

Thank you

Re: Call Protect 1572

Keith_Beddoe — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 18:54:29 GMT

@Koala456

Welcome to this user forum for BT Retail phone and broadband customers.

Call Protect is not really suitable for what you are trying to do. You will never be able to block every scam number, there are thousands of them.

You need to use a call blocking phone, like the BT4600, and that will do what you want. You only have to answer calls that you want to receive, and force others to announce themselves first, which scam callers never do.

Re: Call Protect 1572

Tim123 — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 18:02:06 GMT

Call Protect is rubbish, it doesn't actually "block" anything. In fact, Openreach internally refer to the feature as "Choose to Divert"- a far more accurate name. Calls are still connected (thus ensuring vital revenue for BT); your phone just doesn't ring and Caller Display is somehow bypassed as well. Other than that, it's not much different from the standard 1571 Voicemail service. It's inconvenient for the user as well, because you have to keep dialling 1572 to see if a voice message has been left that just might be important (at least 1571-compatible phones will check this for you and send an alert, or you hear the stuttered dial tone when you pick up the receiver which tells you there's a message waiting). Also, you can't deactivate the Voicemail element of Call Protect, which is an absolute pain! You also can't review your list of blocked numbers and unblock them using your telephone keypad - you have to do it online (not good for those without a 'My BT' account, which is most of those who only take a phone service from BT), whereas Choose to Refuse (see below) lets you do it over the phone (by dialling 14258). With Call Protect you can only "block" the last number that rang as well, whereas Choose to Refuse allows you to manually add a number.

Choose to Refuse and Anonymous Call Reject are two features that have been around for many years and do the job properly by physically blocking calls at exchange level so that they are NOT connected at all, in any form. So, although expensive, they are extremely effective and well worth the money (and available free with Line Rental Plus or Home Phone Saver). This is why my parents cancelled Call Protect and went back to the tried-and-tested pairing of Choose to Refuse/Anonymous Call Reject (Call Protect is incompatible with the latter two, they cancel each other). I have to say that ACR is more valuable than CTR, as CTR only allows you to block 10 numbers; it would be far better if BT followed TalkTalk's example and expanded that to 100 numbers (the maximum permitted with Call Protect). But clearly they have no interest in expanding/improving the feature and want to wind it and ACR down, no doubt having convinced themselves that Call Protect is a worthy replacement.

Call Protect is certainly no better than those so-called "call-blocking" phones, which are now very common (and at least such phones allow you to deactivate callers' ability to leave a message, unlike Call Protect, meaning that Call Protect is inferior even to those).

Re: Call Protect 1572

Koala456 — Sat, 13 Jan 2024 11:19:56 GMT

Hi Tim, thanks for your really long message about the ins and outs of Call Protect. I agree with a lot of what you say. I find Call Protect useful, but there are certain things about it that could be improved. My biggest annoyance about it is that you have to have to actually answer the call first before you can block it, especially a number you know is going to be a spam call. And a message alert system would be good too.

😀

Re: Call Protect 1572

Clarkatron — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 02:45:18 GMT

I always look at caller display when it rings. If I don't recognise it I don't answer. Then I manually block it via My BT.

Re: Call Protect 1572

prabtcom — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 10:53:12 GMT

"Then I manually block it via My BT"

Can you elaborate on this, please. I get calls twice a day from a number starting 03. I don't answer them, and don't answer any number starting 03. Even my phone must recognise it, as it has a little screen that flashes back and fore from the number and the word 'nuisance'.

Re: Call Protect 1572

Clarkatron — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 06:08:05 GMT

Hi Prabtcom, if I've answered a spam call then I can block it via the landline handset using the call protect menu or I can block it via the Call Protect section on BT app. If I've not answered it then I block it via BT Call Protect on app as if you haven't answered it you can't block via handset. Call Protect is an add on service that offers various features. Please let me know a bit more about what your trying to find out Cheers.

Re: Call Protect 1572

Koala456 — Sat, 09 Aug 2025 16:01:09 GMT

Hello @Clarkatron , I didn't know that. My main annoyance with BT Call Protect is the fact that with handsets only you have to answer the call first before you can block it. If I create a MyBT account are you saying I can use that to block a number without answering it first? Or is on the BT app only?

If I've not answered it then I block it via BT Call Protect on app as if you haven't answered it you can't block via handset

Re: Call Protect 1572

Clarkatron — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 02:15:24 GMT

Well as you say if you don't answer call you can't block it via handset.But you can manually input the number under Call Protect on the app and the desk top site.

Re: Call Protect 1572

Tim123 — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 22:56:39 GMT

From memory of when my parents briefly had this con of a service, I think you can always block the last call by dialling 1572 (regardless of whether or not it was answered). You just can't manually input a number over the telephone, unlike with 14258 (Choose to Refuse).

Re: Call Protect 1572

Clarkatron — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 02:53:45 GMT

Hi Tim. I have Call Protect. You can only block it via the actual handset if you've answered the call. The message says something like " To block the last call answered....." If you didn't answer it the only way is to input the number in the app or website under blocked calls.

Re: Call Protect 1572

Koala456 — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 13:43:27 GMT

With Call Protect 1572 do you know if it is possible to switch off the ability for callers to leave Voicemail messages on it? I just want to block these callers from calling the phone, I don't care if they can't leave a message, (as they are just selling things anyway).

Re: Call Protect 1572

Peter_W — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 17:40:47 GMT

Hey there @Koala456 😊

Call Protect is designed specifically to send numbers we have identified as fraudulent to the 1572 junk voicemail, whilst allowing other calls to go to your personal 1571 voicemails.

You can also add up to 100 other numbers to your personal block list, which will also send these calls to the separate junk voicemail.

There isn't an option to just block these outright though, and you can check out more info on Call Protect here:

Using Call Protect with Home Phone | Home Phone Help | BT | BT Help

Peter