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A feature we REALLY need: block telemarketers

Verizon and the other cell providers spend billions every year to add fancy new geegaws, whizbangs, and jimcracks to everyone's phones. But why oh why do they not add a feature that we would all dearly love to have: block all telemarketers!

Here's how I think it should work:

If you get a telemarketer call OR text, you report it to Verizon.
When they get a certain amount of reports on a certain phone number, they investigate and, if truly a telemarketer, they mark it as blackballed.
Any calls/texts from blackballed numbers are rejected completely and you never get a call or text from them.

There would have to be a way for owners of blackballed numbers to appeal.

Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Verizon, are you listening?

Comments

lewisr13

have you tried donotcall.gov?

cherab

Yes, I am registered, but I still get them. Just a few days ago, I got a text from 7082099041: "Short on cash? Get$1200today..." Very annoying.

budone

I never get any calls or texts from telemarketers. Bit alot of the issue is the rather quick turn-around of numbers. The prior owner may have had these calls and texts and did not mind.

It is important when you get a 'new' number, whether by changing your number or adding a new line of service to add it to the do not call list and also adjust your privacy from VZW.

Do do this, log into your online account. Under the PROFILE list, the last option is, 'Manage Privacy Settings'. I would opt out (Don't Share) of any you are currently subscribed to.

williamross

I'm with you on that. cherab! Is there, like, a petition we can sign so we can raise our concern to the higher management? It's really annoying that these people can just call us whenever they want and waste our time.

It's just about time that telephone companies take action against these trespasses? They're the service providers in the first place. It's just right that they do something. What do you think?

williamross

If they needed more subscribers who share the same complaints, verizon's free to check on consumer complaint sites such as http://www.callercenter.com and they'd be surprised at how dissatisfied their customers are when it comes to handling telemarketing calls.

Or is it, maybe, their hands are tied because like us, these telemarketers use their service too and pay them big time?

AZSALUKI

it's not that their hands are tied. it's that it is not their job. there is a national "do not call list." if you are on that list and you get a call, then simply ask the caller for a manager because you need to explain to his manager that they are breaking the law by calling you and you will be reporting them. they WILL take you off their list and won't call you again. telemarketers that ignore the do not call list are breaking the law.....but it's not verizon's job to enforce laws. you also have to be VERY careful when you "agree" to any terms (on websites, apps, etc) because you are often agreeing to let them contact you by phone or text, which (i believe) will supercede that fact that you are on the do not call list.

budone

To add to AZSALUKI's comment, log into your VZW account. There, you can opt out of (I forget the name, look under MORE ACTIONS for MANAGE PRIVACY) and this will take you off add'l lists.

In all my years of having a cell phone 1988, I have never once received a telemarketer call.

Message was edited by: budone

rcschnoor

cherab wrote:
Yes, I am registered, but I still get them. Just a few days ago, I got a text from 7082099041: "Short on cash? Get$1200today..." Very annoying.

When you fill out forms such as credit applications, website enrollments(facebook, linkedin, etc...), online billing, online investing, magazine subscriptions, online account access, etc..., you may have given these companies and/or their partners approval to do this UNLESS you checked a box to NOT allow them to do so. Even if you are on the national do not call list, a company can ignore this if they have something such as this giving them permission to contact you. You should ALWAYS make sure when you fill out these forms that you do not give this type of permission, especially if you are supplying your cellphone # as a method of contact. This is made increasingly hard the more people give up landlines in favor of only having a cellphone as a point of contact.

lewisr13

rcschnoor wrote:
cherab wrote:
Yes, I am registered, but I still get them. Just a few days ago, I got a text from 7082099041: "Short on cash? Get$1200today..." Very annoying.
When you fill out forms such as credit applications, website enrollments(facebook, linkedin, etc...), online billing, online investing, magazine subscriptions, online account access, etc..., you may have given these companies and/or their partners approval to do this UNLESS you checked a box to NOT allow them to do so. Even if you are on the national do not call list, a company can ignore this if they have something such as this giving them permission to contact you. You should ALWAYS make sure when you fill out these forms that you do not give this type of permission, especially if you are supplying your cellphone # as a method of contact. This is made increasingly hard the more people give up landlines in favor of only having a cellphone as a point of contact.

and when they do call, tell them to put you on their do not call list.

Rusty43

It may not be VZW's job, but it is a SERVICE we are begging for!!! The do not call list is a joke, and complaints to the FCC are worthless! I'm on all do not call lists. However, I still get unsolicited calls about twice a week. There is NOTHING I can do. The second I step off script, i.e ask for information, click, they hang up on me. I've gotten through several times and requested to be removed, but still they call. I've filed complaints with the FCC, but still they call.

The bottom line is, that no one can catch them(telemarketers) and no one can enforce FCC regulations, except VZW and other phone companies. Why won't they help?

Rusty43

Sorry, but unfortunately I don't believe it works that easily. I do file a complaint on each number and each time I get a call. However, I still get numerous calls from the same numbers, and no feedback from the FCC or any indcation that anything is ever done. I need a better method to stop these annoying calls, no less theft of my minutes!!! These people are stealing from me and violating the law & unfortunately there isn't much recourse. Any better suggestions?

Tidbits

Maybe the people who are calling are affiliates of something you have signed up or paid for...

Tidbits

It does work. The it happens the larger the case the bigger the fines+ jailtime. Though I have never had a telemarketer call me. I always hand out my GV number.

acraftylady2

My cell is my home phone number and I have been on the do not call list since it started and the only calls I get are ones that are exempt from the do not call list like charities. Only about once a year do I get one about lower your interest rates or some such and I promptly report it to do not call. I go in every 6 months and re-register my number just to make sure. I have a simple rule though if a number that comes up is not in my address book I do not answer it and they can leave a message if it's an emergency. Mary

Tidbits

So have I and so do I. I am very selective of where I put my numbers down. If I am unsure and they want my number... I give them my Voice number and I record every thing on that line. To this day not one telemarketer has called my cell phone.

MaryLynn

I recive calls from credit card servies all the time..I spoke to the company they said because we used my cell as a contact for our (2) credit cards they can call us...I checked with our credit card companies and my cell phone number is not listed with them...I asked the caller how to stop them from calling their responds was "get rid of your cards or sign up with them..My cell phone is resitered with donotcall.gov and I did a compalint thru them..I hope they fine them big time...

Rusty43

You will likely continue to get calls. I've been down this route. I file complaints every week. Nothing happens to them. I still get calls from "credit card services" none of my cell numbers are on file with any of my credit cards. My cell phone number is not on file with any business relationships I do have. I simply don't give that number out. All my numbers on do not call list.

I still get calls. Yet once your number gets into their system, it doesn't come out. They keep calling.

I don't know what can be done, it just would be nice if VZW could come up with something to help out here.

MaryLynn

how do I start a disscussion?

Wildman

I use Call Blocker Elite (Gold Now) by CloudApps from the market and I love it because it will simply hangup on any number not listed under my phone book on my device and also I still can use it to forward to VM if it is a person I want to hear from but not then , it may be worth a look because it has worked well for me..

MaryLynn

that sounds like a great application..except I am self employed and an unknown caller maybe a client and would hate to miss their calls...

rcschnoor

There is the problem. How are you to stop calls you do not want if even YOU are unable to distinguish which calls you want until you answer the call?

Wildman

I understand I have clients that calls me from corp numbers that sometimes reads a number that I dont know but what I do is set unknown callers to go to voicemail, blocked caller id to be auto hungup and then add any problem numbers are added as they call and are identified.. Its a bit of a pain I know but after time I isolated most of the problem calls.

Another option is a app like Privacy Star that identify any callers number even if they block the number but it charges a monthly charge.....

I really think that it makes no since why the new law was ever passed to allow access to users cellphones because calls and text like these could cost a user just for receiving the call or text... With the wrong plan a person can have issues.

acraftylady2

On the left when you are reading the boards click start discussion. Mary

budone

MaryLynn wrote:
I recive calls from credit card servies all the time..I spoke to the company they said because we used my cell as a contact for our (2) credit cards they can call us...I checked with our credit card companies and my cell phone number is not listed with them...I asked the caller how to stop them from calling their responds was "get rid of your cards or sign up with them..My cell phone is resitered with donotcall.gov and I did a compalint thru them..I hope they fine them big time..

Your cell number may not be the contact number is their system, however if you initiated a call to the Card company, even if it was just to check your balance, they can now call you on that number.

acraftylady2

That is why I block my number sometimes when calling out so they can't see it. Mary

rcschnoor

That's very crafty of you!

ydw

The FTC is investigating. See for for information http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/roycox.shtm.

Unfortunately at this time, these scammers ignore the Do Not Call regulations, and they hang up immediately when the recipient of the call challenges them or asks to be removed from the calling list, so filing a complaint with the FTC isn't going to provide immediate relief. Furthermore the numbers displayed on the caller ID are fake numbers. However, we should still try to file the complaints if possible, as it may help the FTC gather data as the FTC continues to track down these scammers and build a prosecutable case against them.

Cellabit

I hope Verizon takes up the challenge. It needs to be handled at that level. The federal government's handeling of this is a joke.

All those "cardmember services" calls you get do not even fall under the power of the FCC and the do not call list because it is a scam. Now if you fall for the scam and lose some money then someone MIGHT care.

I dropped my texting plan because of the spam. I tried everything verizon suggested and it didn't help. Verizon could easily handle this but they choose not to. I don't know what they get out of it.

acraftylady1

I must be lucky, I never get any spam texts. My number is our home number of 20yrs but I hardly ever give it out either. Mary

Wildman

I haven't experience a big issue with spam.. I had this issue only once.

There has to be something users are doing that is causing these messages.

lewisr13

Cellabit wrote:
I hope Verizon takes up the challenge. It needs to be handled at that level. The federal government's handeling of this is a joke.
All those "cardmember services" calls you get do not even fall under the power of the FCC and the do not call list because it is a scam. Now if you fall for the scam and lose some money then someone MIGHT care.
I dropped my texting plan because of the spam. I tried everything verizon suggested and it didn't help. Verizon could easily handle this but they choose not to. I don't know what they get out of it.

So you've blocked texting on your phone? If you had aplan you must of had some use for texting. What about just changing your number?

harryevan

After reading all 39 replies, how about a shortcut that will allow you to block a number while you're on the line?

In the time it takes a telemarketer's agent to pickup the answered phone call (the ten seconds of dead air when you answer the call), the shortcut could be dialed and that number could be added to a blocked number list and you could hang up before "Peggy" asks "can I speak to..."

At least that way, you could block the call once you realize an auto-dialer called you and never get a call from them again.

Are you listening Verizon?

acraftylady1

Why don't you call and suggest that to them and all other cell companies, good idea. I screen my calls so not an issue for me. If you are not in my address book then I don't answer and you can leave a message if it's an emergency and I will get right back, works for me. Mary

Wildman

I have been using Call Blocker Elite ( Now called Call Blocker Gold) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=blacknWhite.CallBlocker.Gold&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImJsYWNrbldoaXRlLkNhbGxCbG9ja2VyLkdvbGQiXQ..and it works flawless for just this reason, all unknown or callers not in phonebook is hungup on or sent to VM and I dont have to deal with them..

Sorry missed you are on a basic device not a smartphone.... This wont work for you..

harryevan

Thanks Mary. My problem is that my contact list is not full - someone

I do know calls from a number that I don't recognize or, more recently,

Peggy and Hadji call via robodialer and I'm at work so I answer it just

to shut the phone up. After answering "This is Harry" and waiting they

get on and say, "Can I speak to Harry?" which just pisses me off more.

If I hang up they just repeat the call later.

So far Verizon says "Go to our website and block the call there."

Screw that , I just want to hit the blocking shortcut when I realize

what's going on. After a while, they are all listed and blocked.

harryevan

Yeah, Wildman, but my problem is that my contact list is not full -

someone I do know calls from a number that I don't recognize or, more

recently, Peggy and Hadji call via robodialer and I'm at work so I

answer it just to shut the phone up. After answering "This is Harry"

and waiting they get on and say, "Can I speak to Harry?" which just

pisses me off more. If I hang up they just repeat the call later.

So far Verizon says "Go to our website and block the call there."

Screw that , I just want to hit the blocking shortcut when I realize

what's going on. After a while, they are all listed and blocked.

Wildman

The method you outlined would be a helpful option but I see a number of security issues that may need to be addressed to do that.

The network would have to have access to your personal information on your device and then be able to transmit it to another system to authorize the number to be blocked.

This simply sounds like to many ways to have data compromised.

Wildman

So who are going to pay to have the system to handle that heavy load of request....

Investigating the reports have to be handled by someone and this requires man power...

rgarv

I completely support this idea. Is there anything we can do about this?

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