BT (British Telecom)

Complete guide to BT's call protection services and customer support

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Customer Service

Phone: 0800 800 150

Hours: Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm, Sat-Sun: 8am-8pm

From Abroad: +44 1793 596931

BT Call Protect

Free for all BT customers with a BT calling plan

BT Call Protect is BT's free service that helps protect you from nuisance and scam calls. It uses a combination of technology and a large database of known nuisance numbers to automatically divert unwanted calls.

Key Features:

  • Automatic blocking: Diverts known nuisance calls to your junk voicemail
  • Personal blacklist: Block up to 1,000 specific numbers
  • Category blocking: Block entire categories like international numbers or withheld numbers
  • Junk voicemail: Review blocked calls if needed
  • VIP list: Ensure important callers always get through

How to Activate BT Call Protect

1

Online Activation

Log into your BT account at bt.com and navigate to "Your Products" > "Manage" > "BT Call Protect"

2

Phone Activation

Call 0800 800 150 and ask to activate BT Call Protect on your line

3

Through the App

Download the BT app and activate Call Protect through your account settings

Managing BT Call Protect

Adding Numbers to Blacklist

  1. Dial 1572
  2. Press 1 to manage your blacklist
  3. Press 3 to add a number
  4. Enter the number and press #

Reviewing Blocked Calls

  1. Dial 1572
  2. Press 2 to access junk voicemail
  3. Listen to messages from blocked calls
  4. Option to add numbers to VIP list if needed

Advanced Settings

Block Number Types:

  • International calls
  • Withheld numbers
  • Unavailable numbers
  • Payphone calls

VIP List Features:

  • Always allow calls from VIP numbers
  • Override all blocking rules
  • Ideal for family, doctors, schools
  • Add up to 10 VIP numbers

Additional BT Call Blocking Services

BT Privacy at Home

Free service for vulnerable customers that provides extra protection:

  • Blocks all numbers not on your approved list
  • Ideal for elderly or vulnerable individuals
  • Requires manual approval of all callers
  • Contact BT to set up - priority for vulnerable customers

BT Call Barring

Choose which types of calls you want to restrict:

  • Bar all incoming calls
  • Bar all outgoing calls
  • Bar international calls
  • Bar premium rate numbers

Setup: Call 150 or visit My BT online

Anonymous Call Reject

Automatically reject calls from withheld numbers:

  • Callers hear a message asking them to reveal their number
  • Protects against many scam calls
  • Can be overridden for specific numbers

To activate: Dial *227#

To deactivate: Dial #227#

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Still receiving nuisance calls?

  • Ensure BT Call Protect is properly activated
  • Check if the number type is set to be blocked
  • Add specific numbers to your personal blacklist
  • Report new nuisance numbers to BT for database updates

Important calls being blocked?

  • Add the number to your VIP list
  • Check your junk voicemail regularly
  • Review your blocking settings
  • Consider adjusting category blocks

BT Call Protect not working?

  • Confirm you have a BT calling plan
  • Check service status at bt.com/servicestatus
  • Try deactivating and reactivating the service
  • Contact BT support on 0800 800 150

Reporting Nuisance Calls to BT

BT actively encourages customers to report nuisance calls to help improve their blocking database:

Online Reporting

  1. Log into My BT
  2. Go to "Help & Support"
  3. Select "Report a nuisance call"
  4. Fill in the details
  5. Submit the report

Phone Reporting

  1. Call 0800 661 441
  2. Select nuisance calls option
  3. Provide call details
  4. Follow advisor instructions
  5. Confirm report submission

What Information to Provide

  • Date and time of the call
  • Caller's number (if displayed)
  • Nature of the call (silent, scam, marketing)
  • Any threats or abuse
  • Company name if mentioned

BT Quick Stats

Call Protection: Free
Max Blocked Numbers: 1,000
VIP List Capacity: 10
Junk Voicemail:
Category Blocking:
Mobile App:

Compare BT with Other Providers

Feature BT Sky TalkTalk Virgin Media
Free Call Protection
Personal Blacklist Size 1,000 Unlimited 100 10
Category Blocking Limited
Junk Voicemail
Mobile App Management

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BT Call Protect really free?

Yes, BT Call Protect is completely free for all BT customers with a calling plan. There are no hidden charges or premium features that require payment.

Can I use BT Call Protect if I'm not a BT broadband customer?

Yes, you can use BT Call Protect as long as you have a BT calling plan. You don't need BT broadband to access this service.

How effective is BT Call Protect?

BT reports that Call Protect diverts over 25 million nuisance calls every month. While it can't block all unwanted calls, it significantly reduces the number of nuisance calls you receive.

Will BT Call Protect work on my mobile phone?

BT Call Protect is designed for landline phones. For mobile protection, BT Mobile customers can use network-level spam filtering, but it's a different service.

Can I access blocked calls if I need to?

Yes, blocked calls are diverted to your junk voicemail. You can access this by dialing 1572 and pressing 2, allowing you to review blocked calls and add numbers to your VIP list if needed.