Blocking Unwanted Calls

You put your numbers on the Do Not Call list, you are not answering calls from unknown area codes, you may even have gone as far as collecting numbers and filling out reports on the Do Not Call webpage and those unwanted calls just keep coming.  Now they are even coming from what looks like local numbers and the number changes, so call blocking does not help. Is there anything we can do to avoid these annoying calls?

If you answer the phone and hear a recorded message instead of a live person, it's a robocall.  Internet-powered phone systems have made it cheap and easy for scammers to make illegal sales robocalls from anywhere in the world.  It also lets them hide from law enforcement by displaying fake caller ID information. Here are a few options for blocking robocalls and other unwanted calls?

Download an App for your Mobile Phone

Call blocking apps let you create blacklists – lists of numbers to block from calling your cell phone. Many of these apps also create their own blacklist databases from numbers that have received significant consumer complaints.  They also let you create whitelists – numbers to allow – that are broader than just your personal contacts.  Some apps offer additional features: reverse call look up, providing data on incoming numbers, blocking unwanted texts, logging the number of calls received from a number, and silent ringers for unknown callers.  Many call-blocking apps are free or only cost a few dollars. However, some apps may upload your contact information, along with information about what numbers you call or call you. The app’s privacy policy should explain how it gets and uses your information.

Features Built Into Your Mobile Phone

Many mobile phones come equipped with features built into the device that can block calls from specific numbers. These features can let consumers block specific contacts, identify unwanted incoming calls for future blocking, and set “do not disturb” hours. You must manage these lists on your own, and the device may limit the number of calls you can block.  Since these features are built into the phone’s operating system or come pre-installed, you may not need to download an app unless you want some more sophisticated features, like tapping into a database of blacklisted numbers.

Cloud-Based Services

Cloud-based services can block unwanted calls for mobile phone lines or phone lines that operate over the internet, like phone service provided by a cable company. Your carrier may give you information about a cloud-based service operated by another company. The service might be a mobile app or a service that requires you to register your phone line. Cloud-based services reside on large, shared computer systems that can collect data from lots of users and use it to build crowd-sourced blacklists.

Call-Blocking Devices

Devices that block unwanted calls can be installed directly on a home phone. Some devices use blacklist databases of known spam numbers and allow you to add additional numbers to be blocked. Other blocking devices rely on you to manually create and update your own blacklist. Some devices divert the call after one ring. Other devices connect the unwanted caller to a recording with options that allow legitimate callers who were mistakenly blacklisted to ring through.  Some devices rely on a whitelist that limits incoming calls to approved numbers.  You’ll need to buy a call-blocking device, and not all devices work on all types of home phones and carriers.

Phone Service Provider

Check with your phone service carrier, they may offer services that can help you block types of calls, such as those that say private caller or anonymous.  Sometimes these services have a fee attached, so be sure to check.

If you receive harassing sales calls from live people write down as much information as you can and report that on the Do Not Call website, this has really helped slow the calls at our house.

Adapted from: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0548-blocking-unwanted-calls