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Unwanted Phone calls

If you receive an upsetting call, hang up, then immediately pick up the receiver. After you hear the dial tone, press *57 (Call Trace). A recorded voice message will confirm that the call has been traced.

Hang up and note the time and date of the call and contact your local police department if you want to take legal action against the caller. The traced information will be released only to law enforcement officials.

Note: *57 (Call Trace) will only trace the last number that calls your line, so be sure to use Call Trace immediately after you receive the harassing call.

If you are receiving obscene or harassing calls:

  1. Don't talk

    The caller wants an audience; don't provide one.

  2. Hang up and note the time and date of the call

    Do this when the caller doesn't talk, says an obscene word, or doesn't identify themselves.

  3. Activate Call Trace (*57)

    After receiving an obscene or harassing call, hang up, then immediately pick up the receiver. After you hear the dial tone, press *57. A recorded voice will confirm that the call has been traced. Please note that *57 (Call Trace) will only trace the last number that calls your line, so be sure to use Call Trace immediately after you receive the harassing call.

  4. Call the police

    Do this when you receive calls of a threatening nature. The police will contact Bell Aliant to help identify the caller, and will need the time and date of the call for any further investigation. The Criminal Code of Canada provides penalties for making obscene, harassing or threatening telephone calls.

Call Trace should only be used when you are ready to contact the police and willing to take legal action against the caller. Aliant will release the traced number only on presentation of proper legal authorization and Only to the police.

  1. Lift your phone receiver.
  2. Dial *69 (Call Return).

    Note: There may be a charge for Call Return if it is not included in your bundle. Call Return is unable to identify non-published-cellular and call-blocked numbers.

  3. When you hear the number:
    • Contact the sending party, or
    • Contact us for assistance. We can contact the sender to inform them to stop sending faxes to your line.

      Note: You can also reduce unwanted telemarketing calls by registering your phone number with the National Do Not Call List that is operated by the Canadian government.

When talking to a telemarketer, request to have your name removed from their calling list.

You can also complete a form that removes your name and telephone number from the calling lists of members of the Canadian Direct Marketing Association.