Automatically Block 9253612736 Spam Calls With Python

Tired of mysterious numbers like 9253612736 constantly disrupting your day? Manually blocking each new spam number is a futile game of whack-a-mole, but you can fight back with code. This guide will show you how to build an automated Python call blocker that identifies and stops these nuisances, giving you a permanent, programmable solution to reclaim your phone.

Why Manually Blocking Spam Numbers is a Losing Battle

If you’ve ever received a call from 9253612736 or similar numbers, you know the drill: a missed call, a silent line, or a robocall recording. The problem with manually blocking each number is that scammers use number spoofing. The 9253612736 you see today could be a different, legitimate number tomorrow. This makes blacklisting individual digits ineffective. Relying solely on carrier-based call blocking apps also has limitations, as they often work with a delayed, crowd-sourced database.

How a Python Call Blocker Outsmarts Basic Apps

A custom Python script flips the script. Instead of just reacting, you build a proactive call filtering system. This approach allows you to:

  • Create your own rules (e.g., block all calls not in your contacts).
  • Integrate with real-time spam call databases.
  • Automate the entire process, so you never have to see the call at all.

This method gives you granular control that standard call screening apps can’t match.

What You Need to Build Your Spam Filter

Before we write any code, let’s get your environment ready. You don’t need to be a senior developer, but basic familiarity with the command line and Python is helpful.

  • Python 3.6+: The programming language we’ll use.
  • A Twilio Account: This provides a virtual phone number and the API to handle calls.
  • The phonenumbers and flask libraries: For parsing numbers and building our web server.
  • A Ngrok Account (Optional but Recommended): To expose your local server to the internet during development.

Setting Up Your Python Environment and Libraries

Open your terminal and run the following commands to install the necessary packages. Using a virtual environment is a best practice.

pip install twilio flask phonenumbers

Getting a Twilio Account and Phone Number

  1. Sign up for a free Twilio trial. You’ll get a small credit to purchase a phone number.
  2. Once logged in, go to the console and buy a new phone number. This will be the number you give out, and it will forward calls to your logic. Make a note of your Account SID and Auth Token.

Build Your Call Blocker: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now for the core of our automated call management system. We’ll create a Python script that acts as a decision engine for incoming calls.

Writing the Code to Validate and Analyze Incoming Calls

First, let’s handle the incoming call data. We use the phonenumbers library to parse and standardize the format of the caller ID, whether it’s 9253612736 or an international number.

from flask import Flask, request

from twilio.twiml.voice_response import VoiceResponse

import phonenumbers

app = Flask(__name__)

# A simple in-memory list for demonstration. Use a database in production.

SPAM_LIST = [“+19253612736”, “+18005558600”]

@app.route(“/incoming-call”, methods=[‘POST’])

def handle_incoming_call():

    from_number = request.form[‘From’]

    # Parse the incoming number

    parsed_number = phonenumbers.parse(from_number, None)

    formatted_number = phonenumbers.format_number(parsed_number, phonenumbers.PhoneNumberFormat.E164)

    print(f”Incoming call from: {formatted_number}”)

Creating Your Custom Spam List and Block Logic

Next, we add the logic to check the caller against our spam list. If there’s a match, we block the call.

   # Check if the number is in our spam list

    if formatted_number in SPAM_LIST:

        # This is where we block the call

        response = VoiceResponse()

        response.reject()

        return str(response)

    else:

        # If it’s not spam, let the call go through to your actual phone.

        response = VoiceResponse()

        response.dial(“YOUR_REAL_PHONE_NUMBER”)  # Replace with your number

        return str(response)

if __name__ == “__main__”:

    app.run(port=5000)

Connecting Your Python Script to Twilio

This is the crucial integration step.

  1. Run your script: python your_script_name.py
  2. Use ngrok to create a public URL that tunnels to your local localhost:5000 server. Run: ngrok http 5000
  3. Copy the forwarding URL provided by ngrok (e.g., https://abc123.ngrok.io).
  4. In your Twilio console, find your phone number and configure it. In the “A CALL COMES IN” field, set the webhook to your ngrok URL plus the endpoint: https://abc123.ngrok.io/incoming-call.

Now, when 9253612736 calls your Twilio number, it will trigger your Python script, which will immediately reject the call.

Advanced Tactics to Stop Robocalls for Good

Once the basics are working, you can make your call filtering system incredibly powerful.

Implementing Time-Based Call Screening Rules

Block all calls outside of business hours unless they’re from a VIP contact.

from datetime import datetime

def is_business_hours():

    now = datetime.now().time()

    return now >= datetime.strptime(’09:00′, ‘%H:%M’).time() and now <= datetime.strptime(’17:00′, ‘%H:%M’).time()

# In your handle_incoming_call function:

if not is_business_hours() and formatted_number not in VIP_LIST:

    response = VoiceResponse()

    response.reject()

    return str(response)

Integrating with External Spam Databases

Instead of a static list, query a live API. Here’s a conceptual example using a community-based spam database.

import requests

def check_spam_database(phone_number):

    # Example using a hypothetical spam API

    api_url = f”https://api.spamlookup.com/check/{phone_number}”

    response = requests.get(api_url)

    data = response.json()

    return data.get(‘spam_score’, 0) > 0.8  # Block if score is high

# Use it in your main function:

if check_spam_database(formatted_number):

    response = VoiceResponse()

    response.reject()

    return str(response)

How to Maintain and Improve Your Call Filter

Your blocker is a living project. To keep it effective:

  • Log All Blocked Calls: Save blocked numbers and timestamps to a file. Review them periodically to fine-tune your rules.
  • Expand Your Spam List: Manually add new numbers that slip through.
  • Explore Other APIs: Services like Nomorobo or built-in carrier call protection APIs can be integrated for even more robust screening.

Conclusion

You no longer have to be a victim of numbers like 9253612736. By building your own Python call blocker, you’ve moved from passive frustration to active control. This programmable approach to call screening is more flexible and powerful than any standard app. You now have the foundation to build a truly personalized defense against telemarketing calls and robocalls.

FAQ’s

1. Is this method legal?

Yes, using a service like Twilio to screen calls on a number you own is perfectly legal. You are essentially building your own private call center.

2. Will this block all spam calls perfectly?

No solution is 100% perfect due to number spoofing, but this will significantly reduce spam and gives you the tools to adapt as scammers change tactics.

3. Do I need to leave my computer running 24/7?

For a permanent solution, you would need to deploy this script to a cloud server (like Heroku, AWS, or DigitalOcean). Running it on your local machine is for testing and development.

4. Can I use this to block SMS spam as well?

Absolutely. Twilio has an SMS API, and you can apply nearly identical logic to filter and block spam text messages.

5. What’s the cost?

Twilio’s pay-as-you-go pricing is very low for personal use. Receiving a call costs about 1 cent per minute. The phone number itself is around $1/month.

Continue your learning journey. Explore more helpful tech guides and productivity tips on my site Techynators.com.

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