TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read)
The Problem: Spam calls waste your team's time, tie up your phone lines, and could cause you to miss real customers calling about emergency repairs or big jobs.
Quick Action Plan:
Today: Register at www.donotcall.gov (US) or www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca (Canada) - takes 2 minutes
This Week: Train your receptionist to quickly end spam calls (script provided below)
This Month: Ask your phone provider about spam blocking features (most are free)
Good News: These calls usually don't mess up your Google Analytics or marketing tracking
Bottom Line: You can't stop all spam calls, but you can reduce them by 60-80% with the right approach. Most solutions are free or low-cost.
Why This Matters for Your Home Service Business
When you're running a plumbing, HVAC, or electrical business, every phone call could be a $500 service call or a $10,000 system replacement. But when spam calls tie up your lines, you risk missing those real customers, especially during emergencies.
The Real Cost:
Each spam call wastes 30-60 seconds of your receptionist's time
At 20 spam calls per day, that's over 10 hours per month of wasted labor
If your receptionist makes $15/hour, that's $150+ per month in lost productivity
More importantly: missing just one legitimate emergency call during peak season could cost you thousands in lost revenue
The Good News: Most spam calls are from auto-dialers that can be blocked with simple strategies. You don't need to be a tech expert to fix this problem.
Do You Have a Spam Call Problem? Warning Signs
You might have a serious spam call issue if:
Your receptionist complains about spam calls multiple times per day
You see lots of short-duration calls (under 10 seconds) in your phone logs
Your phone rings but no one is there when you answer
You're getting calls about "your Google listing" or "SEO services" constantly
Your team mentions they're hanging up on solicitors 5+ times per day
You've had customers mention they couldn't get through during busy times
If You're Located in the United States
Immediate Actions You Can Take
Register with the National Do Not Call Registry
Visit www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you want to register. While this is primarily designed for personal numbers, registering your business line can help reduce some telemarketing calls. Keep in mind that business-to-business calls are generally exempt from Do Not Call rules.
How Long Until It Works: Your number is active on the registry the next day, but telemarketers have 31 days to update their lists. Expect to see results within 30-45 days.
Important Note: Some states have their own Do Not Call registries with additional protections and stricter requirements. States like California, Florida, Texas, Indiana, Missouri, and others maintain separate state-level lists that may offer more comprehensive coverage or different calling hour restrictions. Check with your state's Attorney General office to see if your state has its own registry and additional protections beyond the federal list.
Ask to Be Removed from Lists
When telemarketers call, politely but firmly ask them to remove your number from their calling list. By law, they must honor this company-specific do-not-call request within a reasonable timeframe and maintain it indefinitely. Keep a record of when you made these requests, including the company name and date.
File Complaints
If you continue receiving calls from the same company after requesting removal, you can file a complaint with:
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.ftc.gov
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at www.fcc.gov/complaints
Your state Attorney General's office if your state has additional telemarketing laws
Does Filing Complaints Actually Work? Yes. The FTC can fine violators up to $53,088 per violation as of 2025. Companies that repeatedly violate the rules face serious penalties, so complaints do matter.
If You're Located in Canada
Immediate Actions You Can Take
Register with the National Do Not Call List (DNCL)
Visit www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca or call 1-866-580-DNCL (1-866-580-3625) to register your number. Similar to the U.S., this registry is primarily for personal numbers, but registering your business line may help reduce some calls. Business-to-business telemarketing calls are exempt from the National DNCL Rules.
How Long Until It Works: Registration is effective immediately, but you may continue to receive some calls for up to 31 days while telemarketers update their lists.
Ask to Be Removed from Lists
When telemarketers call, politely but firmly ask them to remove your number from their calling list. Canadian telemarketers must maintain internal do-not-call lists and honor your request. Keep a record of when you made these requests, including the company name and date.
File Complaints
If you continue receiving calls from the same company after requesting removal, you can file a complaint:
Online at www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca
By calling 1-866-580-DNCL (1-866-580-3625)
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) administers and enforces the National DNCL
Note: All telemarketers operating in Canada must register with the National DNCL, even if they only make exempt calls. Canada also has strict rules under the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) that may provide additional protections. The CRTC can levy penalties of up to $1,500 for an individual and up to $15,000 for a corporation, for each violation. Serious violations have resulted in penalties exceeding $200,000.
Preventive Measures (U.S. and Canada)
Screen Your Calls
Use caller ID to identify incoming calls before answering. Consider using call screening features or apps that can help filter out known spam numbers. Many phone service providers offer spam blocking features that you can activate.
For Mobile Phones (If You Use Your Cell as Your Business Line):
iPhone: Go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers (but be careful because this blocks ALL unknown numbers, including new customers)
Android: Use the built-in spam protection in the Phone app, or download a call screening app
Better Option: Get a separate business line so you don't risk missing customer calls
Be Careful Where You Share Your Number
Avoid posting your business phone number on public websites or directories where it can be easily harvested by telemarketers. If you need a public-facing number, consider using a separate line specifically for that purpose.
Smart Strategies:
Use a call tracking number on your website instead of your main line
Consider having two numbers: one for customers (advertised everywhere) and one for vendors/suppliers (kept private)
Be selective about which online directories you list on. Stick to major ones like Google Business Profile, Yelp, and industry-specific directories
Use Call Blocking Technology
Many modern phone systems and VoIP services include built-in spam filtering and call blocking features. Talk to your phone service provider about options available for your business line. There are also third-party apps and services designed to block robocalls and spam.
What to Ask Your Phone Provider:
"Do you offer spam call blocking? Is it free or does it cost extra?"
"Can I create a blacklist of numbers to automatically block?"
"Do you support STIR/SHAKEN call authentication?"
"Can I see call analytics to track spam calls?"
Does This Impact My Analytics?
Usually not. Here's why you can breathe easy:
Call Duration Tracking:
Google Analytics and most call tracking systems are set up to track leads based on call duration. If these telemarketing calls are short calls, they will not be counted as legitimate phone call leads. Most tracking systems only count calls over a certain threshold, like 30 seconds or more. Some businesses set this to 60 seconds to ensure only real conversations are tracked.
Click-to-Call Tracking:
Google Business Profile counts click-to-call interactions in the stats data. Website analytics also track click-to-call actions when someone clicks your phone number on your site. However, if telemarketers are dialing your number directly via an auto-dialer, this is not happening on your website and will not impact your Google Analytics stats.
The Bottom Line: Spam calls don't artificially inflate your lead numbers because:
They're too short to count as conversions
They're not coming through your website or ads
They're dialing your number directly, bypassing all tracking
Pro Tip: Check your call tracking dashboard monthly. If you see lots of calls under 30 seconds, those are likely spam calls that aren't being counted anyway.
How Other Home Service Business Owners Handle This
The "Press 1" Method (Use With Caution)
Many business owners use a "press 1 to connect" feature after someone dials their number. This requires the caller to press a button before the call connects to your team, which effectively blocks auto-dialers and robocalls since they can't interact with the prompt.
The Problem: Nobody wants to jump through extra hoops when they have a plumbing emergency at 2 AM or their AC dies on the hottest day of summer. You could lose real customers who get frustrated and call your competitor instead.
When It Might Work:
If you're getting 30+ spam calls per day and it's severely impacting operations
During off-peak season when you can afford to test it
For a secondary business line that's not your main customer contact number
What Successful Contractors Say: "We tried the 'press 1' system and lost 3 customers in the first week who thought we were out of business or too hard to reach. Not worth it."
The Better Approach: Train Your Team
Train your receptionist or front desk staff to handle these calls professionally and efficiently. Teach them to quickly identify telemarketing calls and politely end them without wasting time. This keeps your customer experience smooth for legitimate callers while still managing the spam call problem effectively.
Script for Your Receptionist:
When They Answer and Hear:
Long pause (3+ seconds) = Likely auto-dialer, hang up
Robotic voice = Spam, hang up immediately
"Can I speak to the business owner about your Google listing/SEO/energy bills?" = Spam
What to Say:
"Thank you for calling, but we're not interested in any services at this time. Please remove our number from your list. Goodbye."
Then hang up immediately. Don't wait for a response. Don't be rude, but be firm and quick.
Red Flags to Train Your Team On:
Caller asks for "the owner" or "whoever handles marketing" without knowing your name
Heavy accent combined with background call center noise
They start with "I'm calling about your Google Business listing"
They claim to be from "Google" (Google doesn't cold call businesses)
Long pause after you say hello
Recorded message that starts playing
Time Your Team: A well-trained receptionist should be able to identify and end a spam call in under 15 seconds.
Additional Solutions Other Businesses Are Using
Business-Grade VoIP Systems with Built-In Spam Filtering
Modern VoIP phone systems offer advanced spam call blocking features specifically designed for businesses. These systems use databases of known spam numbers and can automatically block or flag suspicious calls before they reach your team. Many providers offer these features as part of their business phone service packages.
What These Systems Do:
Automatically identify known spam numbers and block them
Flag suspicious calls so your team knows to be cautious
Provide call analytics showing you how many spam calls were blocked
Allow you to easily add numbers to a blacklist
Some use AI to learn patterns and get better over time
Typical Cost: $10-40 per user per month, but often includes other features like voicemail-to-email, call forwarding, and mobile apps.
What Other Home Service Owners Say: "We switched to a VoIP system with spam filtering and cut our spam calls by about 70%. Best $40/month we spend."
STIR/SHAKEN Call Authentication
Ask your phone service provider if they support STIR/SHAKEN technology. This is a framework that authenticates caller IDs and helps identify spoofed or fraudulent calls. Most major carriers now implement this technology, which significantly reduces the number of robocalls that get through. This technology digitally validates phone calls as they pass through networks, making it harder for scammers to fake caller IDs.
In Plain English: STIR/SHAKEN verifies that the phone number showing on your caller ID is actually the real number calling you, not a fake one. This stops scammers who pretend to be calling from a local number.
Do You Need to Do Anything? Usually no. Most major carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Bell, Rogers, Telus) have already implemented this. It works automatically in the background.
How to Check: Call your phone provider and ask: "Do you support STIR/SHAKEN call authentication?" If they say yes, you're already protected.
Third-Party Call Screening Services
Various call screening services use artificial intelligence and crowd-sourced data to identify and block spam calls in real-time. These services can be added to your existing phone system and learn from patterns to get better over time. Look for services that specialize in business call protection and offer features like spam detection, call analytics, and automated blocking.
How They Work:
Millions of users report spam numbers
AI analyzes calling patterns to identify new spam numbers
When a known spam number calls you, it's automatically blocked or labeled
You can see which calls were blocked and manually allow numbers if needed
Popular Options to Research:
Call screening apps for mobile phones
Business call protection services that integrate with your phone system
Virtual receptionist services that screen calls for you
Typical Cost: Free to $10/month for basic apps, $50-200/month for business-grade services
Separate Business Lines for Different Purposes
Many successful home service businesses maintain multiple phone numbers: one for customer-facing marketing (website, Google Business Profile, ads) and another for vendor communications and business-to-business contacts. This way, if one number gets overwhelmed with spam, your main customer line remains clean.
Smart Setup:
Line 1 (Main Customer Line): Used on your website, Google Business Profile, truck decals, business cards. Protected with spam filtering. This is your money line. Keep it clean.
Line 2 (Vendor/Supplier Line): Used when ordering parts, talking to distributors, registering for industry accounts. If this gets spam calls, it doesn't affect customers.
Line 3 (Optional - Owner's Direct Line): For VIP customers, emergency contacts, and key relationships only.
Cost: With modern VoIP systems, additional lines cost $10-25/month each.
What Successful Contractors Say: "Having separate numbers was a game-changer. My customer line stays clean, and if my vendor line gets spam, who cares? Customers never use it."
Whitelist/Blacklist Management
Most modern phone systems allow you to create whitelists (numbers that always get through) and blacklists (numbers that are always blocked). Take a few minutes each week to add repeat offenders to your blacklist. You can also whitelist your regular customers, suppliers, and important contacts to ensure their calls are never accidentally blocked.
How to Set This Up:
Whitelist Your VIPs: Add your top 20-50 customers, your key suppliers, your parts distributors, and any other must-answer numbers
Blacklist Repeat Offenders: Every time you get a spam call, add that number to your blacklist
Weekly Maintenance: Spend 5 minutes each Monday reviewing your call log and updating your lists
Pro Tip: Some phone systems let you block entire area codes or number patterns. If you're getting lots of spam from one area code (like 800 numbers or international calls), you can block the whole range.
Call Analytics and Reporting
Use your phone system's analytics to identify patterns in spam calls. Many systems can show you peak spam calling times, frequently blocked numbers, and call duration patterns. This data helps you make informed decisions about which blocking strategies work best for your business.
What to Track:
Number of calls under 30 seconds (likely spam)
Calls from the same number multiple times
Peak spam call times (so you know when to be extra vigilant)
Blocked call statistics (to see if your strategies are working)
Monthly Review: Set a calendar reminder to review your call analytics once a month. Look for trends and adjust your strategy accordingly.
For Mobile Phone Users: Special Considerations
Many home service business owners use their personal cell phones as their business line, especially when starting out. Here's what you need to know:
Built-In Phone Features
iPhone:
Go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers
Warning: This silences ALL calls from numbers not in your contacts. You'll miss new customer calls.
Better Option: Use Settings > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification and add specific numbers to block
Android:
Open the Phone app > tap the three dots > Settings > Blocked numbers
Enable "Block unknown callers" but use with caution (same risk as iPhone)
Better Option: Many Android phones have built-in spam detection that labels calls as "Spam Likely" without blocking them
The Risk of Using Your Personal Cell Phone
When you use your personal cell phone as your business line, you face some unique challenges:
You can't easily separate personal and business calls
If you block unknown numbers, you miss new customers
Your personal number gets spread across the internet
You can't hand off call management to staff easily
No call analytics or tracking
When to Get a Dedicated Business Line:
When you're getting more than 5-10 business calls per day
When you want to track which marketing brings in calls
When you hire staff who need to answer calls
When you want professional features like voicemail-to-email or call forwarding
When spam calls start interfering with your personal life
Cost: A basic business line through a VoIP provider costs $10-25/month and gives you professional features your cell phone can't match.
Troubleshooting Common Concerns
"What if I accidentally block a real customer?"
This is a valid concern. Here's how to minimize the risk:
Prevention:
Don't use "block all unknown callers" features
Only blacklist numbers that have called you multiple times with spam
Review your blocked call list monthly
Use spam labeling instead of auto-blocking when possible
If It Happens:
Most phone systems keep a log of blocked calls
Check your blocked call list weekly for numbers you recognize
If you realize you blocked a customer, call them back and apologize
Add their number to your whitelist immediately
Reality Check: In practice, this rarely happens. Real customers usually leave voicemails or try calling back. Spammers don't.
"Will this affect calls from my supplier or parts distributor?"
No, if you set it up correctly:
Best Practice:
Add all your regular suppliers, distributors, and vendors to your whitelist
Use a separate phone line for vendor communications
Only block specific spam numbers, not entire categories
What You Should Never Block:
Local area codes (your customers use these)
Toll-free numbers (many legitimate businesses use 800/888/877 numbers)
Numbers from your suppliers or distributors
"What if my tracking number is the one getting spam calls?"
This is actually common. Here's what to do:
Short-Term Fix:
Contact your call tracking provider and ask if they offer spam filtering
Many tracking services can filter spam before forwarding calls to you
Some providers will replace your tracking number if it's been compromised
Long-Term Solution:
Use a tracking provider that includes spam protection
Consider using multiple tracking numbers for different marketing channels
Keep your main business number separate from your tracking numbers
Important: The spam calls hitting your tracking number still don't affect your analytics because they're too short to count as conversions.
"I'm worried about missing emergency calls during off-hours"
This is a legitimate concern for home service businesses. Here are some solutions:
After-Hours Strategy:
Use a professional answering service that screens calls 24/7
Set up an after-hours voicemail with clear instructions
Use call forwarding to send after-hours calls to your cell phone
Consider an on-call rotation if you have multiple technicians
Emergency Call Protection:
Never use "press 1" systems for your main customer line
Don't block unknown numbers
Make sure your voicemail clearly states you handle emergencies
Return missed calls quickly (within 15-30 minutes if possible)
What Works: Many successful contractors use an answering service after 5 PM that screens calls and only forwards true emergencies. Cost is typically $100-300/month.
When to Escalate and Get Professional Help
Sometimes the spam call problem is too big to handle on your own. Here's when to consider professional solutions:
You Need Help If:
Volume Issues:
You're receiving 20+ spam calls per day
Your receptionist spends more than 1 hour per day dealing with spam
Spam calls are causing you to miss customer calls regularly
Your staff is complaining about call volume daily
Business Impact:
You've lost business because customers couldn't get through
Your phone rings constantly but most calls are spam
Your team is getting burned out from dealing with spam
You're considering not answering the phone anymore
Technical Complexity:
You've tried basic solutions and they're not working
You need advanced call routing and filtering
You want detailed analytics and reporting
You need integration with your CRM or business software
Professional Solutions to Consider:
Virtual Receptionist Services:
A real person answers all your calls and screens them
They take messages, schedule appointments, and forward urgent calls
Cost: $200-800/month depending on call volume
Best for: Businesses getting 50+ calls per day
Advanced Call Management Systems:
Professional-grade phone systems with AI-powered spam detection
Automatic call routing based on caller behavior
Detailed analytics and reporting
Cost: $50-150/month per user
Best for: Growing businesses with multiple staff members
Call Center Services:
Full-service call handling, not just screening
Can handle overflow during busy times
Often includes appointment scheduling and customer service
Cost: $500-2,000/month depending on services
Best for: Larger operations or businesses in growth mode
Prevention Tips for New Businesses
If you're just starting your home service business, here's how to avoid spam call problems from the beginning:
Where NOT to List Your Number
Avoid These:
Random online business directories (stick to major ones only)
Social media comments or posts where it can be scraped
Public forums or review sites where you're responding to customers
Any website that asks for your number but doesn't explain why
Free listing services that seem too good to be true
Safe Places to List:
Google Business Profile (essential)
Yelp
Angi (formerly Angie's List)
HomeAdvisor (if you use their service)
Better Business Bureau
Industry-specific directories (ACCA for HVAC, PHCC for plumbers, etc.)
Best Practices When Starting Out
From Day One:
Get a dedicated business phone number (not your personal cell)
Use a VoIP service with built-in spam protection
Set up call tracking for your marketing
Register with the Do Not Call Registry immediately
Keep a separate number for vendor/supplier communications
Set Up Your Google Business Profile Correctly:
Use your main business number
Enable message notifications so customers can text
Respond to reviews (but don't post your number in responses)
Keep your hours updated to reduce confusion calls
When Advertising Online:
Use call tracking numbers in ads instead of your main number
This lets you track which ads work AND keeps your main number cleaner
If a tracking number gets compromised, you can replace it without changing your main number
Success Metrics: How to Know If It's Working
You need to track whether your spam call reduction efforts are actually working. Here's what to measure:
Track These Numbers Weekly:
Before You Start:
Count total incoming calls per day
Count how many are spam (under 30 seconds or obvious solicitors)
Calculate spam percentage (spam calls divided by total calls)
Note how much time staff spends on spam calls
After Implementing Solutions:
Track the same numbers weekly
Look for trends over 4-6 weeks (it takes time to see results)
Calculate time saved
Calculate money saved (time saved times hourly wage)
What Success Looks Like:
Realistic Goals:
60-70% reduction in spam calls within 60 days
Less than 5% of total calls being spam
Staff spending less than 15 minutes per day on spam calls
Zero missed customer calls due to spam volume
Red Flags That You Need to Do More:
Spam calls increasing instead of decreasing
Still getting 10+ spam calls per day after 60 days
Staff still complaining about spam volume
Missing customer calls because lines are busy
Monthly Review Checklist:
First Monday of Each Month:
Review call logs from previous month
Count spam calls and calculate percentage
Check which numbers called multiple times (add to blacklist)
Review any blocked calls to make sure no customers were blocked
Update your whitelist with new important contacts
Check if any new spam patterns have emerged
Adjust your strategy based on what you learned
Understanding Your Rights
In the United States:
Telemarketers must follow specific rules under the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR):
They Must:
Identify themselves and the company they represent
Provide a phone number or address where you can reach them
Honor your request to be added to their company-specific do-not-call list
Not call before 8 AM or after 9 PM (local time)
Not use pre-recorded messages without your consent
You Have the Right To:
Ask them to stop calling you
Request to be added to their internal do-not-call list
File complaints with the FTC if they violate the rules
Sue for damages if they repeatedly violate your rights
Exemptions (These Calls Are Legal Even If You're on the Registry):
Political organizations and campaigns
Charities (if they're using their own staff, not hired telemarketers)
Surveys and polls (if they're not selling anything)
Companies you have an existing business relationship with (within 18 months)
Companies you've given written permission to call
Important: Even if a call is exempt from the Do Not Call Registry, you still have the right to ask them to stop calling you specifically.
In Canada:
Telemarketers must comply with the CRTC's Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules:
They Must:
Identify themselves and who they represent
Provide a contact number where you can reach them
Maintain an internal do-not-call list
Honor requests to be added to their internal list
Not call before 9 AM or after 9:30 PM (local time)
Not use automatic dialing-announcing devices without consent
You Have the Right To:
Ask them to stop calling you
Request to be added to their internal do-not-call list
File complaints with the CRTC
Expect telemarketers to be registered with the National DNCL
Exemptions (Similar to U.S.):
Registered charities
Political parties and candidates
Newspapers seeking subscriptions
Surveys and research (if not selling anything)
Companies you have an existing business relationship with (within 18 months)
Enforcement: The CRTC takes violations seriously. Companies can be fined up to $15,000 per violation, and repeat offenders have faced penalties exceeding $200,000.
Quick Reference: Your Action Plan
Today (Takes 15 Minutes):
Register your business number with the Do Not Call Registry
US: www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222
Canada: www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca or call 1-866-580-3625
Check if your state/province has its own registry and sign up
Print out the receptionist script and put it by your phone
This Week (Takes 1-2 Hours):
Call your phone provider and ask about spam blocking features
Train your receptionist/staff on identifying and handling spam calls
Start a simple log of spam calls (just mark them in a notebook)
Check your phone system settings for call blocking features
This Month (Takes 2-3 Hours):
Review your call logs and identify repeat spam callers
Set up a blacklist with the worst offenders
Create a whitelist with your important contacts
Research VoIP options if your current system doesn't have spam protection
Review your online listings and remove your number from sketchy directories
Ongoing (Takes 15 Minutes Per Week):
Review call logs every Monday
Add new spam numbers to your blacklist
Check blocked calls to make sure no customers were blocked
Update your whitelist with new important contacts
Track your progress (are spam calls decreasing?)
Every 3 Months (Takes 30 Minutes):
Full review of your spam call reduction strategy
Calculate time and money saved
Decide if you need to upgrade to professional solutions
Update your team training based on new spam patterns
Final Thoughts
Spam calls are frustrating, but they don't have to ruin your business operations. With the right combination of strategies, you can reduce spam calls by 60-80% without spending a fortune or risking missed customer calls.
Remember:
Start with the free solutions (Do Not Call Registry, staff training, basic call blocking)
Track your results so you know what's working
Don't use aggressive blocking that might screen out real customers
Consider professional solutions if the problem is severe
Review and adjust your strategy regularly
Most Important: Don't let spam calls cause you to miss real customer calls. A $5,000 HVAC replacement or emergency plumbing call is worth way more than the annoyance of dealing with a few spam calls.
The goal isn't to eliminate every single spam call (that's impossible). The goal is to reduce them to a manageable level where they're not impacting your business operations or customer service.