Find solution
How do I block a contact?

How to "block" unwanted contact

  • I've had a stalker for about 4 years. I'm not physically afraid of this person, but this is a nuisance in terms of intrusive, unwanted phone calls, texts, emails, social media. I am just so done with this person not respecting my right to peace in my own home. How do I "block" landline/cell phone when Verizon tells me "no can do?" Details after the fold. Backstory: I have requested that someone not contact me again. That request has not been honored. There was no relationship here, I helped an acquaintance re-connect with the system for needed medical/mental health benefits. No good deed and all that jazz ... Since the constant calling/texting/emailing started, I have changed my phone number (landline and cell). The calls, texts and emails persisted (this person is very tech savvy and found my new info). The messages left are not threatening, but the person persisted after being told several times not to contact me, and then still after I went no contact. I constantly have to check Caller ID before I answer the phone. However, this person keeps changing their phone number, which makes Caller ID useless. I frequently see advice on AskMeFi telling people to "block (someone)" but … my question is, how is this done? Verizon in NY no longer offers the paid service that used to allow a person to block a specific number. When I called Verizon, at the suggestion of the local precinct, I was told that the service was not "profitable" so it was abandoned. Verizon suggested I change my numbers again or pay to be completely unlisted. I'm already listed under a slight name change with no address. This person does know my address but has not shown up recently; and, I don't want to antagonize this person with an OofP which was the NYPDs second suggestion. I don't want this to escalate. I have strict privacy measures on FB and little info on LinkedIn -- though I am regretting responding to a recent invitation to join there because … sure enough, I was contacted immediately. Of course I did not respond. I do not want to be forced to change phone numbers and email addys again, this is just not fair. So what information am I missing? When you all say to "block" someone, exactly what are you suggesting? Is there a way to block a number on a landline or cell phone of which I am unaware? Should I just go on as I am, hoping that one day it will stop? Any clarification on "blocking" or other suggestions appreciated. And please don't kick me in the @ss for helping this person. I do own a highlighted copy of The Gift of Fear and read it annually. I just didn't see this coming. ;) Many thanks for any thoughts.

  • Answer:

    In the contacts list of my Android phone, I have an "add to reject list" option which makes incoming calls from that number not cause the phone to ring. I believe most cellphones have a similar feature.

alwayson_slightlyoff at Ask.Metafilter.Com Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

Since the constant calling/texting/emailing started, I have changed my phone number (landline and cell). The calls, texts and emails persisted (this person is very tech savvy and found my new info). No amount of tech savvy can get your cell phone number from the phone company without some kind of fraud. Think about how you're acquainted to this person and who they know that you know. Landlines are one thing, but if they got your cell phone number, either you've got it listed publicly somewhere... or some mutual acquaintance is responding to them when they say something like, "Hey, do you have Alwayson's new number?" Ditto your email. Do the other people you know know that you don't want to hear from this person? My first suspicion is that there's somebody well-meaning here who wants to be helpful to your nuisance, thinks you're still willing/able to help them, and is encouraging this in some fashion. Given the mental health thing and evident instability, I'm willing to give some benefit of the doubt that their new numbers may be the result of using prepaid phones and not having stable enough income to keep the same number indefinitely. But even if they were deliberately changing it, I doubt this person is some super-hacker who can get into the phone company to get them to divulge info like that. I think you have a human problem more than a technology problem, and that you may need to find more blunt ways to say "go away" and ensure that your mutual contacts aren't trying to push off the nuisance onto you that they don't want for themselves.

Sequence

I agree that it is likely that this person is getting your information from mutual contacts. I feel like you should re-think an OofP - if this person is still contacting you at every chance they get 4 years later, you are not the one escalating the situation. In addition to legal protections, it could help whoever is leaking your information understand the seriousness of their actions, and also alert any caretakers your stalker may have to your stalker's inappropriate behaviors.

fermezporte

Or if they keep changing their numbers, set it up to not audibly ring or go to voicemail for unknown numbers. You don't really need to to be at the beck and call of people calling from unknown numbers regardless.

Jacqueline

I have a device http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00856RURM/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ on my landline phone to block unknown/withheld numbers. It does the job perfectly. The device I linked has a whitelist feature that would let you allow only specific numbers to contact you.

Solomon

If they keep calling from different numbers then the blocking that cellphones do will be as useless as caller ID. I guess what I don't understand is how they're getting all of your contact info so fast. Is it some kind of service they're paying for? I'm asking because if you're also fuzzy on this, figuring out how they're getting info might be a place to start? If you know but you left it out of the question... I think when people say to "block" someone they're not imagining this extreme kind of persistence.

bleep

Can you move your phone bills into another person's name? Like your mom or your sibling for example. If they are getting your info from published phone number owner records, that might be one way to get around it. But I agree that this is likely a human error issue on the part of some middle acquaintance. As you transition from one number to the next, clamp down hard on who has what info. As you slowly disseminate your new number, have a no-nonsense conversation with each recipient that under no circumstances is nuisance stalker to be made aware of your new contact info. If it happens again, you should be able to determine from the time frame who your leak is.

vignettist

Google Voice?

salvia

Stalkers fall into various 'sub groups' - look it up/know your stalker. Getting aggressive could give the twat a kick. The problem with blocking him is you lose evidence. Not sure why you haven't called the police? (Or maybe you have..?). This is harassment. A harassment warning from police will stop some stalkers. If it doesn't you have a more disturbed stalker.

tanktop

Oops, missed the "keeps changing their phone number" bit. Even with service-provider-level blocking services, I am fairly sure that they can only block numbers as that's the only identifying info they have.

NMcCoy

Load more

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.