Sky Talk Shield

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

Customer Service

Phone: 0333 759 1018

Hours: Mon-Sun: 8am-11pm

From Abroad: +44 1628 486000

Sky Talk Shield

Free for all Sky Talk customers

Sky Talk Shield is Sky's free call screening service that helps protect you from nuisance and scam calls. It screens calls from unrecognised numbers and uses your personalised lists to manage who can reach you.

Key Features:

  • Call screening: Screens calls from numbers not in your contacts
  • Star list: Create a list of approved callers who always get through
  • Block list: Block specific numbers permanently
  • International blocking: Block all international calls
  • Withheld number blocking: Block calls from numbers that don't display
  • 24/7 blocking: Choose specific times when blocking is active

How to Activate Sky Talk Shield

1

Online via My Sky

Log into your My Sky account, go to "Products & Services", select "Talk", then "Sky Talk Shield" and click "Set up"

2

By Phone

Call Sky customer service on 0333 759 1018 and ask to activate Sky Talk Shield

3

Through Sky TV

Press Services on your Sky remote, select "Settings", then "Sky Talk Shield"

Managing Sky Talk Shield

Adding to Star List

  1. Dial *800#
  2. Select option 1 for Star List
  3. Enter the number you want to add
  4. Press # to confirm

Blocking a Number

  1. Dial *800#
  2. Select option 2 for Block List
  3. Enter the number to block
  4. Press # to confirm

Sky Talk Shield Settings

Screening Options:

  • Screen all unrecognised numbers
  • Screen international calls only
  • Screen withheld numbers only
  • Set specific screening times

Caller Options:

  • Leave their name for screening
  • Go straight to voicemail
  • Hear "number not available" message
  • Choose to reveal their number

Sky Talk Shield Protection Levels

Level 1: Basic Protection

Screens calls from numbers not in your Star List:

  • Callers hear a screening message
  • They can leave their name to be announced
  • You decide whether to accept or reject
  • Blocked numbers go straight to voicemail

Level 2: Enhanced Protection

Additional blocking for specific caller types:

  • Block all international calls
  • Block withheld/private numbers
  • Block unavailable numbers
  • Block specific area codes

Level 3: Maximum Protection

Only Star List contacts can reach you:

  • All other calls are blocked
  • No screening - straight to voicemail
  • Ideal for vulnerable customers
  • Emergency services always get through

Additional Sky Call Features

Sky Voicemail Plus

Enhanced voicemail service with:

  • Personalised greetings
  • Email notifications for new messages
  • Remote access from any phone
  • Save messages for up to 30 days

Cost: £2 per month or free with Sky Talk Unlimited

Sky Caller Display

See who's calling before you answer:

  • Display caller's number on your phone
  • Required for Sky Talk Shield features
  • Works with compatible handsets
  • Helps identify potential scam calls

Cost: Free with Sky Talk packages

Last Number Redial

Call back the last number that called you:

  • Dial 1471 to hear the last caller's number
  • Press 3 to return the call
  • Useful for missed calls
  • Works even without Caller Display

Cost: Free for all Sky Talk customers

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sky Talk Shield not working?

  • Check if Caller Display is active on your line
  • Ensure Talk Shield is enabled in My Sky account
  • Verify your phone is compatible with Caller Display
  • Try turning Talk Shield off and on again
  • Contact Sky on 0333 759 1018 for support

Important calls being blocked?

  • Add the number to your Star List immediately
  • Review your blocking settings
  • Check if international blocking is enabled
  • Consider lowering your protection level temporarily

Scam calls still getting through?

  • Increase your Talk Shield protection level
  • Block the specific number immediately
  • Enable withheld number blocking
  • Report the number to Sky for database update

Reporting Nuisance Calls to Sky

Sky encourages customers to report nuisance calls to help improve their blocking service:

Online Reporting

  1. Log into My Sky account
  2. Go to "Help & Support"
  3. Select "Report nuisance calls"
  4. Provide call details
  5. Submit report

Report via Phone

  1. Call Sky on 0333 759 1018
  2. Choose "Report nuisance call"
  3. Provide date and time
  4. Give caller's number
  5. Describe the call nature

What Information to Provide

  • Date and time of the call
  • Caller's phone number (if displayed)
  • Type of call (silent, scam, marketing)
  • Any company name mentioned
  • Recording reference if threats were made

Sky Talk Shield Stats

Talk Shield Cost: Free
Star List Size: Unlimited
Block List Size: Unlimited
Call Screening:
International Blocking:
Withheld Blocking:

Compare Sky with Other Providers

Feature Sky BT TalkTalk Virgin Media
Free Call Protection
Call Screening
Personal Blacklist Size Unlimited 1,000 100 10
International Blocking
Withheld Number Blocking

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sky Talk Shield really free?

Yes, Sky Talk Shield is completely free for all Sky Talk customers. There are no hidden charges or premium features that require additional payment.

Can I use Sky Talk Shield without Sky broadband?

You need to be a Sky Talk customer to use Talk Shield, but you don't necessarily need Sky broadband. Sky Talk is available as a standalone service or bundled with TV/broadband packages.

What happens to calls that are screened?

When a call is screened, the caller hears a message asking them to state their name. You then hear who's calling and can choose to accept the call, send it to voicemail, or block the number permanently.

Will emergency services get through?

Yes, emergency services (999, 112) always bypass Sky Talk Shield and all blocking features. Essential services like your doctor's surgery can also be added to your Star List to ensure they always get through.

Can I manage Sky Talk Shield from my mobile?

Yes, you can manage Sky Talk Shield through the My Sky mobile app. You can add numbers to your Star List or Block List, change settings, and activate or deactivate the service from your smartphone.

How long does it take for Sky Talk Shield to activate?

Sky Talk Shield usually activates within 24 hours of setting it up. Some features may be available immediately, while others might take up to 24 hours to become fully functional.

Tips for Using Sky Talk Shield Effectively

Setting Up Your Lists

  • Add family members and close friends to your Star List first
  • Include your doctor, children's schools, and other essential services
  • Add persistent nuisance callers to your Block List immediately
  • Review your lists monthly and update as needed
  • Consider adding your workplace to the Star List

Choosing Protection Levels

  • Start with Level 1 and increase if needed
  • Use Level 2 if you receive many international scam calls
  • Level 3 is best for vulnerable individuals or during high-scam periods
  • Adjust levels based on your daily routine (higher at night)
  • Remember you can change levels at any time

Pro Tip

If you're expecting important calls from unknown numbers (like deliveries or appointments), temporarily lower your protection level or turn off screening for that day.

Need Help with Sky Talk Shield?

If you're experiencing issues with nuisance calls or need assistance setting up Sky Talk Shield, Sky's customer service team is available to help.

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