# Blocked numbers and scrub services

Keep Mav from texting numbers you block, or numbers a do-not-call scrub service flags.

## What they do

Before an agent sends its first text to a new contact, Mav checks the number against your **Blocked Numbers** and any scrub service you turned on. If the number is on a list, Mav doesn't text or call it. The contact is still saved, and its timeline shows **Filtered**.

Both live under **Settings › Filters**, on the **Scrub Services** and **Blocked Numbers** tabs. Only Managers see Filters.

## Scrub services

Mav checks numbers against two do-not-call services: [Blacklist Alliance](https://www.blacklistalliance.com) and [DNC.com](https://www.dnc.com). You need your own account and API key with each.

1. Open **Settings › Filters › Scrub Services**.
2. Switch the service on and paste its **API key**.
3. Click **Save changes**.

A number a service flags is added to your **Blocked Numbers**, so you can see it there and unblock it if it was a mistake.

## Blocked numbers

To block a number, open **Settings › Filters › Blocked Numbers**, enter it under **Phone** and click **Block number**. To unblock one, click **Unblock** on its row. The list shows each number and when it was blocked, newest first.

If your own phone is on the list, **Send a test** on an agent won't reach you until you unblock it.

## When the checks run

Mav checks a number once, before the first text of a new conversation. The checks don't apply:

- When the contact texts or calls your Mav number first.
- To a conversation already under way. Blocking a number mid-conversation doesn't stop it.

Unblocking a number doesn't restart a contact who was Filtered. The contact needs to come in again, from your vendor or a file import.

## What you see

A filtered contact shows **Filtered** on its timeline, and your exports show its status as **Blocked**. The reason, like a blocked number or a DNC.com match, goes out with the Filtered event to your outbound webhooks. A contact Mav can't text for other reasons, like an invalid number, shows **Undeliverable** instead. See [A contact isn't getting texts](/knowledge/troubleshooting/a-contact-is-not-getting-texts).

## Blocking a whole source

Mav has no screen for blocking a marketing source. To stop a vendor's leads, clear the agents on that source or remove it; see [Marketing sources](/knowledge/features/marketing-sources). To have Mav filter every lead from a source, contact Mav support.