Cell Phone Nuisance Calls

[Sparko]

So, I was getting a BUNCH of scam calls (I've had this same number since Moses was a boy scout) and even though they get identified as spam, they still show up on my phone.

Just for grins, I decided to try a free month of the $3.99 service (upsell on the free app Call Protect) and it gives you greater control - it can automatically route unknown calls, or suspected spam calls, to voicemail.

Just a little bit ago, I got....

[ATTACH=CONFIG]35764[/ATTACH]

and I never heard a thing. Those ones were auto-blocked - a few others were sent directly to voice mail hail.

Hiya does that for free.

[KingsGambit]

When I recently replaced my phone (with a $25 model, no less), I started noticing that my new phone would warn me that unfamiliar numbers had been previously reported as spammers.

I'm a bit creeped out by number recognition technology, though. One time at work, a random customer came up to me and asked me for help finding a random passage. I called him so I could get back to him after I looked for it. When I did, it displayed on his phone as "KingsGambit Post Office". Obviously one of my co-workers must have saved my number as that, and it somehow got saved worldwide as that. Creepy.

I know the standard advice is not to pick up unfamiliar numbers, but when you're actively job searching, the risk of hanging up on an interview trumps that.

[Cow Poke]

When I recently replaced my phone (with a $25 model, no less), I started noticing that my new phone would warn me that unfamiliar numbers had been previously reported as spammers.

I'm a bit creeped out by number recognition technology, though. One time at work, a random customer came up to me and asked me for help finding a random passage. I called him so I could get back to him after I looked for it. When I did, it displayed on his phone as "KingsGambit Post Office". Obviously one of my co-workers must have saved my number as that, and it somehow got saved worldwide as that. Creepy.

Hnmmm... that's weird.

I know the standard advice is not to pick up unfamiliar numbers, but when you're actively job searching, the risk of hanging up on an interview trumps that.

Yeah, that's why I like the ability to automatically send them to voice mail hail, instead of simply blocking all but the well known "bad guys".

[Cow Poke]

Hiya does that for free.

Yes, this is Hiya, or licensed from them. Does the FREE version do that?

[Sparko]

Yes, this is Hiya, or licensed from them. Does the FREE version do that?

just checked. It will block calls on its list. I guess it doesnt do the voice mail thing. I was wrong about that.

[Cow Poke]

just checked. It will block calls on its list. I guess it doesnt do the voice mail thing. I was wrong about that.

OK, so maybe it also has a paid version that adds those features.

[Christianbookworm]

I've gotten calls that claim to be from a job agency but hang up when I press for details...

[Cow Poke]

I've gotten calls that claim to be from a job agency but hang up when I press for details...

They may be "harvesting" your phone number - making sure it's really somebody --- everything I see says NEVER push any of the buttons when you answer a robo-call.

[Christianbookworm]

They may be "harvesting" your phone number - making sure it's really somebody --- everything I see says NEVER push any of the buttons when you answer a robo-call.

It's a real person though. Robocalls will hang up because I don't say anything

[Cow Poke]

It's a real person though. Robocalls will hang up because I don't say anything

OH... I thought you meant a robocall, where they say "press 2 for more info, or press 7 to be placed on our no-call list".

sorry

[Christianbookworm]

Then again, it can be hard to tell these days...

[Sparko]

have you guys heard of the new scam going around called "virtual kidnapping?" Its freaking scary.

https://www.wthr.com/article/im-not-...m-hits-indiana
'I'm not playing around': Virtual kidnapping scam hits IndianaFoiling the scheme

[Christianbookworm]

And another reason to have one's facebook profile on private mode!

[Sparko]

So the FCC just passed some regulations allowing carriers to automatically block robocalls.

And apparently AT&T is running with it.



AT&T will automatically block fraud calls for new customers
Existing subscribers will have to wait.



AT&T is making quick use of FCC rules explicitly allowing carriers to block robocalls by default. The network will start automatically blocking fraud calls (and issuing suspected spam call alerts) for new phone customers as a matter course, at no extra charge. You'll have to opt out if you don't want the company to screen calls this way. Existing customers, meanwhile, will see the feature automatically reach their accounts in the "coming months."

If you like the capabilities, you can turn it on right now either by downloading the AT&T Call Protect app or enabling it through your myAT&T account settings.

https://www.engadget.com/2019/07/09/...s-fraud-calls/

[Sparko]

Verizon has something similar:

https://www.verizon.com/about/news/v...ttle-robocalls