How to Stop Unwanted Phone Calls in Canada? Ultimate Guide?

Are you interested in knowing how to stop unwanted phone calls in Canada once and for all? We have the answers you are looking for!

If you have noticed an increase in unwanted calls these past few months, you’re not alone. It’s not just you, but it’s a problem across everyone in Canada.

That’s why we wrote this blog to help you find a way out so you can stop getting these calls.

Stopping unwanted phone calls in Canada has become easier in recent years. Your carrier is your first line of defence. They will usually have an anti-spam service that you can use. These will effectively deal with spam and scam calls, so you do not have to worry about dealing with them.

Let’s take a closer look at the reasons these unwanted phone calls happen. These are not just ordinary people calling you dialling a number wrong.

Why Do You Get Unwanted Phone Calls

Apart from your friends and family, businesses can also call you for a multitude of reasons. Some might want you to answer a few questions for a survey.

Others will want to sell you some new product or service. There are also others with malicious intent, and this is what you want to avoid.

1. Calls From Businesses

It’s unavoidable that you will deal with companies. There should be no problem if they contacted you legitimately, like when you asked to be called back from a previous conversation.

2. Telemarketers

Telemarketers start to blur the lines between business calls and spam. These businesses will call you and offer products and services.

3. Robocalls

This can look like a telemarketing call, except with automated messages. There are helpful versions of this, such as public service or emergency announcements.

4. Spam Calls

At least telemarketers and robocalls are usually something you might be interested in. Spam calls can get annoying since they are likely irrelevant and inappropriate.

5. Scammers

The most dangerous type of unwanted phone calls, and you do not want to get this. They are usually hard to identify, so it’s essential that you control these calls before they get out of hand.

How to Stop Unwanted Phone Calls in Canada

Now that you know the sources of these unwanted phone calls, you can start working to stop these once and for all.

Getting an increasing number of these calls can get terribly annoying and frustrating. Not to mention, it can also get incredibly dangerous.

You will want to block these numbers and calls as quickly as possible. Here are the steps that you can follow to know how to stop unwanted phone calls on landlines in Canada.

Solution #1: Use Your Carrier’s Anti-Spam Service

Canadian carriers will carry some form of anti-spam service.

Bell has Call Privacy, Rogers has Call Display and Online Manager, and Telus has a new Call Control feature that will curb the number of unwanted calls.

The good news is that for these carriers, these services are already built into your plan. You might have to activate them, but you will not have to pay extra to use these.

Here’s how to use your carrier’s anti-spam service:

For Bell’s Call Privacy:

1. Press *11 on your Bell Home phone to enter the menu.
2. Press 1 and then 2 to turn on Call Privacy
3. To add a number to your list, press *11.
4. Press 3, then 1.
5. Enter the 10 digit phone number you want to add.

Note: Turning on Call Privacy will screen incoming calls and compare them to numbers found on your list. 

Calls not on your list will automatically be redirected to voicemail.

For Telus’ Call Control Feature:

1. Log in to your My Telus account.
2. Go to Call Control, then Plans & Devices.
3. Add numbers to your Accepted list and Blocked list.
4. Review your last 10 calls by going to the Call log.

Note: If you are using a wearable device with a SIM card, you can extend the Call Control feature from your main number.

For Rogers’ Online Manager Anti-Spam Feature:

1. Sign in to your MyRogers account.
2. Go to Usage & Services, and click on the phone number you want to manage.
3. Open Online Manager and choose the Privacy tab.
4. Click on Configure opposite Block Unwanted Callers.
5. Choose Yes on the selections, then Confirm.

Note: You can add up to 30 numbers to your block list. This feature also blocks callers that use Call Display Block.

Solution #2: Block Potential Spam Numbers Using Your Smartphone

After you set your carrier’s anti-spam, you can also double up by using your smartphone’s blocking feature.

This gives you an added layer of security and privacy, so if any calls go through, you can stop them right away so they won’t continue to bother you.

Here’s how to block numbers using your smartphone:

Blocking a number on iPhone:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Go and select the Recents tab.
3. Click on the Info “i” button opposite the number you want to block.
4. Select Block this caller.

Blocking a number on Android:

1. Open your Phone app.
2. Select the Recents tab found at the bottom.
3. Tap and hold on the number you want to block.
4. Select Block/Report Spam on the pop-up menu that appears.
5. Check the box opposite Report Call as Spam, then tap Block.

Note: This is not an active anti-spam feature similar to that of your carrier, but it’s a helpful method to ensure that the number will not be able to call you again.

Solution #3: Use Anti-Spam Mobile Apps

There are also third-party apps that you can use to stop telemarketing and robocalls.

These take call blocking to the next level, using smart technology that automatically detects spam calls.

The great news is that most of these apps are available for free, with a paid upgrade available for premium features.

Here are some of the apps that you should consider:

1. YouMail
2. UnknownPhone
3. Hiya
4. Truecaller
5. Nomorobo

Note: These apps are all available for iOS and Android. 

Whatever it is you use, these will help you stop unwanted calls together with the other methods you have put in place.

Solution #4: Ask Telemarketers to Remove You From Their Lists

In extreme cases, for calls that do go through, and you happen to answer them, There is one thing you can do. Simply ask them to remove your number from their lists.

It might not be the most elegant of solutions, but if a telemarketer is legitimate, they will honour it.

Of course, this will work only for that company, but at least they will not be bothering you anymore.

Here’s how to ask telemarketers to remove you from their lists nicely if you happen to answer one of their calls:

1. Ask them to remove you from their call lists.
2. Ask for the name of a representative you can call back.
3. Ask for a toll-free number you can call back.
4. Ask for an address to confirm their business.

Tip: Use this information to verify you have been taken off their call list. Asking them for these details will let them know that you intend to verify.

If you confirmed and are still on their list by any chance, you can report them to the National DNCL.

Solution #5: Use Canada’s Do Not Call List

Your final resort will be to register your number to Canada’s National Do Not Call List or DNCL.

It’s a registry of numbers that will significantly limit the number of unsolicited phone calls you receive.

The great thing about the DNCL is that you will be able to register your mobile, home, and fax numbers, so spammers will have no way to contact you.

On top of that, getting listed is free, and it stays on the registry for at least 3 years.

Here’s how to register your number to the National DNCL:

1. Go to LNNTE-DNCL.gc.ca.
2. Click on Register.
3. Add your number, then click on Next.
4. Confirm your number and listing, and click Done.
5. You can also check your registration on the website.

Pro Tip: If you do not like to deal with going to the website and typing in your number, you can also register by calling 1 866 580-DNCL (3625).

Read Next: Why Does Bell Keep Calling Me? How to Stop?

Thus, you can stop unwanted phone calls in Canada, and it’s easy. Make sure to register your number with the National DNCL. Getting your number on the list will limit telemarketers from calling you. It’s one of the most effective solutions for eliminating spam calls.

Bottom Line

Now that you have a pretty good idea of how to stop unwanted phone calls in Canada, you can start enjoying your peace. It’s impossible to eliminate all unsolicited calls, but you will limit them to a more manageable number by following these steps.

If calls do go through these measures, you can file a complaint with the DNCL. You can also report suspected fraud schemes by calling the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center at 1 888 495-8501.