HOW CAN I BLOCK INCOMING CALLS?

BLOCKING INCOMING CALLS

Here is how you can block anonymous calls and what you can do about annoying advertising calls. It is possible to activate blocking for outgoing and incoming calls at the same time.

Anonymous calls

Calls from businesses / advertising calls

Harassment by a private individual

BLOCKING ANONYMOUS CALLS

You can use your telephone to block calls from suppressed numbers.

To activate the call blocker

Lift the handset
Press *77#
Wait for confirmation and hang up

To deactivate blocking

Lift the handset
Press *77#
Wait for confirmation and hang up

CALLS FROM BUSINESSES / ADVERTISING CALLS

It is not possible to block calls from specific individual numbers. Below you will find tips on what to do about unwanted calls.

With annoying incoming calls you need to distinguish between:

Reputable businesses (known company, survey)
Dubious businesses (pushy sales, call centre where it is unclear who is behind it)
Swindle / fraud (supposedly computer support / promise of money)

Reputable business

Reputable businesses communicate clearly who they are and why they are calling.

Examples:

Institute for opinion polls
Company of which the person called is or was a customer
Caller from a call centre that states clearly on whose behalf and for which reason the call is being made

Tips: If you no longer want to receive calls from a reputable business, you can tell that to the caller clearly and pleasantly and ask not to be contacted anymore. Respectable companies should comply with this wish.

If the call comes from a call centre on behalf of a company, it is often necessary to contact the company directly and request not to be contacted anymore.

Dubious businesses

Dubious businesses often use pushy methods and do not tell the person called on whose behalf they are calling.

Examples:

Caller from a call centre that does not clearly name the company and acts pushy
Comparison of health insurance companies
Telephone sales of products (wine, lotteries, subscriptions of all kinds)

Tips: Tell the caller very clearly that you do not want any further calls, and then end the call. If the caller continues to be pushy, you can simply hang up. Do not react to the caller’s arguments or questions, and don’t let yourself be drawn into a discussion.

Swindle / fraud

Fraudulent callers often try to entice you with quick money or threaten negative consequences if you do not comply with their demands.

Examples:

Computer support that is supposedly to solve a problem on the computer of the person called, but instead installs malware
Supposed winnings/inheritance/etc. for which an advance payment must be made before receiving the money

Tips: End the call immediately. Don't be afraid to simply hang up.

General possible measures to prevent unwanted calls

Do not disclose your telephone number unnecessarily (e.g. for prize drawings, online orders)
You can have your number starred (this indicates to advertising companies that calls may not be made to non-customers) in the telephone book (on the website of local.ch or by phone 0800 86 80 86).
Have your number removed from the telephone book (by e-mail to customercare@local.ch or by telephone 0800 86 80 86)
You can request in writing to have your number changed (we need a letter from you with the reason and your signature; send to Sunrise UPC LLC, P.O. Box, 8050 Zürich)

SOLUTIONS TO COMMON ISSUES WITH THE LANDLINE

HARASSMENT BY A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL

If you receive harassing calls and messages and want to find out who they are from, you can use a form to apply for information. This applies to calls from both displayed and suppressed numbers.

You can download the form as a PDF here.

Processing takes about 3 weeks. Please note that there is a processing charge of CHF 50, regardless of whether it is successful. You will receive the bill for it along with the result.

Tip:

Make a note of all incidents. It has to be connections that were actually established, meaning that either you or the answering machine must have answered the call.

Write down:

a) The date and exact time of the harassing call

b) The telephone number of the caller (if visible)

Note: Calls or advertising calls that were not accepted cannot be taken into account as part of this information request.

For offences that are relevant under criminal law (threats, blackmail, etc.) you must first report the incidents to the police.

Here you can find more Support topics for your landline:

HOW CAN I BLOCK INCOMING CALLS?

BLOCKING INCOMING CALLS

BLOCKING ANONYMOUS CALLS

To activate the call blocker

To deactivate blocking

CALLS FROM BUSINESSES / ADVERTISING CALLS

Reputable business

Dubious businesses

Swindle / fraud

HARASSMENT BY A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL

Service information and network issues

Community

Social Media