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article Vérifié le 30 March 2026

Block Unwanted Calls on a Senior's Phone (iPhone & Android)

Tired of scam calls bothering your elderly parent? How to block numbers on iPhone, Android and Doro phones, plus how to report them.

Par l'équipe éditoriale Lumio
Block Unwanted Calls on a Senior's Phone (iPhone & Android)

In 2024, French people received an average of 4.4 telemarketing calls per week according to the ARCEP barometer published in July 2024. People over 65 are the most targeted, with nearly 6 unwanted calls per week. This guide explains, step by step, how to reduce these nuisances on your phone.

Whether it is a supposed energy advisor, an unsolicited insurance offer, or a fake tech support scam, unwanted calls are a source of daily stress. The good news is that there are concrete, free and accessible solutions, even if you are not comfortable with technology.

Why seniors receive so many unwanted calls

Phone numbers widely circulated

Your landline number often appears in the phone directory. Telemarketing companies buy files containing thousands of numbers, particularly targeting landlines, which are more commonly used by people over 60.

According to a study by the DGCCRF (France’s consumer protection authority) published in November 2024, 78% of complaints about abusive telemarketing concern landline calls. Seniors are overrepresented in these reports.

The law of 24 July 2020, aimed at regulating telephone solicitation and combating fraudulent calls, strengthened penalties. Since 1 March 2023, telemarketing is prohibited on weekends, public holidays, and outside the hours of 10am-1pm and 2pm-8pm on weekdays. The same company cannot call you more than 4 times per month (decree of 13 October 2022).

Despite this progress, ARCEP noted in its 2024 annual report that 62% of French people continue to receive unwanted calls at least once a week. Scammers, of course, do not follow any of these rules.

Phone scams on the rise

The 2024 annual report from Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr reports a 38% increase in phone scam reports compared to 2023. The most common techniques include:

  • Fake bank advisor scam: a caller impersonates your bank and asks for your codes
  • CPF scam: you are offered to use your Personal Training Account before a supposed deadline
  • Ping call: a call that hangs up after one ring to entice you to call back a premium-rate number
  • Fake tech support scam: you are warned about a supposed virus on your computer

Testimonial: Robert, 74, retired in Lyon, January 2026: “I was getting 5 to 6 calls a day. Solar panels, insulation, health insurance. I had stopped answering altogether, even when it was the doctor.” (source: 60 Millions de consommateurs forum)

Registering on Bloctel: the essential first step

What is Bloctel?

Bloctel is the official French opt-out service for telephone solicitation, managed by Opposetel on behalf of the French government. Since its launch in June 2016, over 6.3 million numbers have been registered (source: Bloctel 2024 activity report).

Registration is completely free and protects you for 3 renewable years. Telemarketing companies are legally required to check the Bloctel list before calling you. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to 375,000 euros for a company (article L223-2 of the Consumer Code).

How to register, step by step

What you need: your phone number (landline or mobile), an email address and 5 minutes.

  1. Open your web browser (Safari, Chrome or Firefox) and type in the address bar: bloctel.gouv.fr
  2. Click the “S’inscrire” (Register) button at the top right of the page
  3. Fill in the form: enter your email address, choose a password, provide your surname and first name
  4. Add your phone numbers: you can register up to 8 numbers (landline and mobile) per account
  5. Confirm your registration by clicking the link received by email
  6. Wait: registration takes effect within a maximum of 30 days. Companies have this period to update their call files.

Bloctel’s limitations

Bloctel only blocks legal commercial telemarketing. The following calls remain permitted even after registration:

  • Opinion surveys and polls
  • Calls from your bank, health insurer or insurance company if you are already a customer
  • Charitable organisations
  • Newspapers you are subscribed to

And most importantly, scammers do not check Bloctel. This is why you need to complement this registration with direct blocking on your phone.

Testimonial: Monique, 71, retired in Nantes, February 2026: “Since I registered on Bloctel, commercial calls have decreased by at least half. But I still receive two or three a week, from numbers that change each time.” (source: comment on the UFC-Que Choisir website)

Blocking a number on iPhone

If you have an iPhone, here is how to prevent an unwanted number from calling you again.

Blocking from call history

  1. Open the Phone app (the green icon with a white handset)
  2. Tap “Recents” at the bottom of the screen
  3. Find the unwanted number in the list
  4. Tap the small “i” in a circle to the right of the number
  5. Scroll down to the bottom of the card that appears
  6. Tap “Block this Caller”
  7. Confirm by tapping “Block Contact” again

The number is now blocked. Its calls will be automatically rejected and its messages will no longer reach you.

Enabling unknown caller filtering (iOS 13 and later)

This feature sends all calls from numbers not in your contacts directly to voicemail. This is particularly useful if you receive many calls from unknown numbers.

  1. Open Settings (the gear-shaped icon)
  2. Scroll down and tap “Phone”
  3. Tap “Silence Unknown Callers”
  4. Toggle the switch on (it turns green)

Note: this option also blocks legitimate calls from unregistered numbers (doctor, delivery person, repairman). Blocked calls appear in your Recents, so you can call back if needed.

Managing your blocked numbers list

To view or modify the numbers you have blocked:

  1. Open Settings
  2. Tap “Phone”
  3. Tap “Blocked Contacts”
  4. You will see the complete list. To unblock a number, swipe left and tap “Delete”.

Blocking a number on Android and Samsung

The procedure varies slightly depending on the brand, but the principle is the same.

On a Samsung phone (the most common brand in France)

  1. Open the Phone app (the green icon with a handset)
  2. Tap “Recents” to view the call history
  3. Long-press the number to block (hold your finger for about 2 seconds)
  4. In the menu that appears, tap “Block number”
  5. You can check “Report as spam” to help other users
  6. Tap “Block” to confirm

On a standard Android phone (Google Pixel, Xiaomi, etc.)

  1. Open the Phone app
  2. Tap the call history
  3. Tap the unwanted number
  4. Tap the three dots at the top right of the screen
  5. Select “Block number” or “Add to reject list”
  6. Confirm

Enabling caller identification on Samsung

Samsung offers a caller identification feature that warns you when a number has been reported as spam by other users:

  1. Open the Phone app
  2. Tap the three dots at the top right
  3. Tap “Settings”
  4. Tap “Caller ID and spam protection”
  5. Enable both toggles: identification and spam filtering

This feature has been available on Samsung Galaxy phones since One UI 3.0 (2021) and displays a red warning when a suspicious number calls you.

Managing blocked numbers on Android

  1. Open the Phone app
  2. Tap the three dots at the top right
  3. Tap “Settings”
  4. Tap “Blocked numbers”
  5. You can view the list and unblock numbers if needed

Blocking a number on a Doro phone

Doro phones are designed for seniors, with simplified menus. Here is how to block unwanted calls on the most common models.

On a Doro 8200 or Doro 8210 (smartphone)

  1. Open the Phone app
  2. Go to the call history
  3. Tap the number to block
  4. Tap “More options” (three dots or “Menu”)
  5. Select “Block number”
  6. Confirm

On a Doro 6820 or Doro 6880 (flip phone)

Doro flip phones allow you to create a blocked number list:

  1. Press the Menu button
  2. Select “Settings”
  3. Select “Calls”
  4. Select “Blacklist”
  5. Press “Add” and enter the number to block
  6. Confirm

On some Doro flip models, you can also enable the option “Accept calls from contacts only” in the Settings > Calls menu. This option is drastic but effective: only people saved in your address book will be able to reach you.

Tip: if you cannot find exactly these menus on your Doro model, consult the user manual that came with the phone or call Doro customer service at 01 72 70 32 12 (non-premium number).

Useful anti-spam apps

In addition to manual blocking, some free apps can automatically filter unwanted calls.

Orange Telephone (free, all carriers)

Available on iPhone and Android, the Orange Telephone app works even if you are not an Orange customer. It identifies incoming calls using a database of numbers reported as spam.

  • What it does: displays the name of the company calling, flags suspicious numbers in red, allows one-tap blocking
  • What it does not do: it does not automatically block calls; it warns you and you decide
  • Where to download: on the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android), search for “Orange Telephone”
  • User rating: 4.1/5 on the Play Store (over 10 million downloads, March 2026)

Free Mobile anti-spam (Free customers only)

If you are a Free Mobile customer, a spam filter is built directly into your line:

  1. Log in to your customer area at mobile.free.fr
  2. Go to “Mes services” (My services)
  3. Enable the “Filtre anti-spam appels” (Call anti-spam filter)

This filter automatically blocks numbers identified as spam by Free. According to Free, it blocks approximately 80% of unsolicited commercial calls (source: Free Mobile help page, updated January 2026).

Other reliable apps

  • Truecaller (free with paid option): global database, very effective but requires sharing your number with their database. Rating: 4.4/5 on the Play Store.
  • Should I Answer (free): European app that is more privacy-friendly, based on community reports. Rating: 4.2/5 on the Play Store.

Word of caution: avoid unknown or poorly rated anti-spam apps. Some collect your personal data or your phone contacts. Stick to apps with over one million downloads and verified reviews.

Reporting an unwanted number to 33700

How it works

33700 is the official platform for reporting spam calls and texts, set up by French telecom operators (Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom, Free) in partnership with the French government.

Since its launch, over 25 million reports have been made (source: 33700.fr, 2024 report). These reports allow operators to block fraudulent numbers for all their subscribers.

To report an unwanted call (voice spam)

  1. Send an SMS to 33700
  2. Type the message: spamvocal followed by the number that called you (example: spamvocal 0978123456)
  3. Send
  4. You will receive a confirmation SMS

To report an unwanted text message

  1. Forward the suspicious SMS directly to 33700
  2. A confirmation SMS will ask you for the sender’s number
  3. Reply with the number that sent you the spam

Reporting to 33700 is free (excluding the cost of an SMS if your plan does not include them). Every report counts: the more a number is reported, the faster it will be blocked by operators.

What to do if you have been the victim of a phone scam

Immediate steps

If you think you have been the victim of a phone scam, here are the steps to follow in order:

  1. Contact your bank immediately if you shared bank details, a card number or a code. Ask for your card to be blocked if necessary. Most banks have an emergency number available 24/7.

  2. Write down all the information you have: the number that called you, the date and time, what was said, the information you shared.

  3. File a report at your local police station or gendarmerie. You can also file a pre-complaint online at pre-plainte-en-ligne.gouv.fr to save time.

  4. Report the scam on the official platform internet-signalement.gouv.fr (Pharos), even if the scam was carried out by phone.

Useful numbers to know

  • 0 805 805 817: Info Escroqueries, a free service from the French Ministry of the Interior. Available Monday to Friday, 9am to 6:30pm. Advisors guide you through the process.
  • 3018: national number for digital abuse (harassment, online scams). Free, anonymous, available 7 days a week.
  • 17: police/gendarmerie, in case of emergency or threat.
  • Your bank: the number on the back of your bank card to block your card.

The deadline to act

In case of bank fraud, you have 13 months to dispute an unauthorised transaction with your bank (article L133-24 of the Monetary and Financial Code). But the faster you act, the higher the chances of recovering your money. According to the Banque de France (2024 report), the reimbursement rate for fraud reported within 48 hours is 93%, compared to 54% after 30 days.

Testimonial: Genevieve, 69, retired in Bordeaux, December 2025: “A man called me pretending to be from my bank. He knew my name and my branch. He asked me to confirm a code received by SMS. My son had warned me about this scam, so I hung up and called my bank directly. They confirmed it was indeed a fraud attempt.” (source: testimonial collected by the France Victimes association)

How to reduce calls: a summary

Here are the most effective actions, ranked by priority:

  1. Register on Bloctel (bloctel.gouv.fr): it is free and significantly reduces legal commercial calls.

  2. Block recurring numbers directly on your phone by following the instructions above for your model.

  3. Report to 33700 every suspicious call or text. It takes 30 seconds and helps everyone.

  4. Install an anti-spam app like Orange Telephone if you have a smartphone.

  5. Never call back an unknown number that did not leave a voicemail. If it is important, the person will call back or leave a message.

  6. Never share personal information (bank details, codes, passwords) by phone, even if the caller claims to be your bank or an official organisation. Hang up and call the official number yourself.

  7. Be wary of numbers starting with 09: although some are legitimate (VoIP lines), they are widely used by telemarketing call centres because they are inexpensive.

No solution eliminates 100% of unwanted calls. But by combining these measures, most people report a 70 to 80% reduction in nuisances according to feedback published on the UFC-Que Choisir forum (discussion thread updated in January 2026).

Editorial note

Sources consulted:

  • ARCEP, 2024 digital barometer (published July 2024)
  • Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr, 2024 annual activity report (published March 2025)
  • DGCCRF, report on telemarketing complaints (November 2024)
  • Bloctel.gouv.fr, 2024 activity report
  • 33700.fr, 2024 reporting summary
  • Banque de France, 2024 annual fraud report
  • UFC-Que Choisir, telemarketing dossier (updated February 2026)
  • 60 Millions de consommateurs, unwanted calls investigation (October 2024)
  • Code de la consommation, articles L223-1 to L223-7
  • Code monetaire et financier, article L133-24

Limitations of this guide: the menus and options described may vary depending on the operating system version of your phone and the exact brand of your device. The statistics cited are the most recent available at the time of publication. The blocking rate of the solutions presented depends on many factors and cannot be guaranteed. This guide does not constitute legal advice.

Verification date: 30 March 2026

Conflicts of interest: none. This article does not contain affiliate links. The apps mentioned are listed for informational purposes, with no compensation.

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