This topic

Blocked numbers

Susan61 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 14:39:40 GMT

I blocked a number on the 20th January, but I've just had a call from the same number. How long does it take to block a number?

Re: Blocked numbers

licquorice — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 14:51:07 GMT

Immediately.

The numbers will have been spoofed.

Re: Blocked numbers

Susan61 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 14:53:01 GMT

So there's no way I can block them?

Re: Blocked numbers

gg30340 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:00:23 GMT

No. If the number has been spoofed it means that the number you see is not the number that made the call.

It will be a computer that is making the call and will be constantly changing the number that it is calling from.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/scam-calls-and-messages/phone-spoof-scam

Re: Blocked numbers

Susan61 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:00:59 GMT

Thanks for letting me know. I shall just hang up if they ring again.

Re: Blocked numbers

Kimberlin — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:04:05 GMT

@Susan61

Would a call blocking phone like this one be of any use?

https://ee.co.uk/products/bt-decor-2600-advanced-call-blocker-home-phone

Re: Blocked numbers

gg30340 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:09:25 GMT

Call blocking phones are no use with blocking spoofed numbers because they constantly change.

You would need to get a phone that allows white listing numbers so that only the ones you have white listed get through where as all the others have to give their details before getting through.

Scammers or computers do not give their details and as such they do not get through.

Re: Blocked numbers

Kimberlin — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:14:54 GMT

Completely unhelpful post I accept, but this is precisely the reason why I haven’t bothered with a landline for years, they’re just spam magnets. It must be utterly frustrating for people who get unwanted calls all the time.

Re: Blocked numbers

Susan61 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:27:30 GMT

My number is allegedly ex-directory, and surprisingly, this is the first time it's happened on my landline, several attempts on my mobile though!

Re: Blocked numbers

Kimberlin — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:36:22 GMT

@Susan61

To be fair, being ex-directory literally means nothing anymore. Bots call random numbers millions if not billions of times a day.

If you talk about mobiles, I’ve only stopped receiving spam calls of any/every description because I’m on silence unknown callers 24/7 365 and I’ve enabled the required more information feature on my iPhone. So I do only ever get calls from folks in my contacts list. I’ve never once received a spoof call from a number in my contacts list either. Plus I’m signed up to TPS which removes one from marketing lists.

I hope you find a solution.

Re: Blocked numbers

licquorice — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:48:21 GMT

The only solution (as @gg30340 has posted) is a white listing phone where callers have to announce themselves if not whitelisted.