Robocalls Why doesn't Verizon do a better job of blocking
JES41010
Enthusiast - Level 2

Consumer Reports recently reported that Verizon does not block robocalls as well as some other companies.

A particularly relentless robocaller uses the first 6 digits of my cell phone number, with changing digits for the last 4 numbers (thus preventing blocking), to call several times daily.  They seem to be selling some kind of back brace.

I have CERTAINLY filed complaints with the Do Not Call Registry for each and every call.

I also find it strange that Verizon wants to charge for allowing blocks for more than 5 numbers.  If they really wanted to help, why would they do that?

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1 Solution
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

Hi, JES41010, I definitely understand not wanting to be hassled by callers that you don't wish to speak to. I myself have had trouble with spam calls as well. I'm very glad to hear that you've already been working with the Do Not Call Registry, as that is an excellent path to addressing the overarching problem of spam callers in general.

We do offer the ability to block more than 5 numbers, as well as the ability to block all restricted, private, or unknown numbers as part of our Family Base feature. I appreciate the feedback that you would like having access to this capability without having to pay for Family Base.

One of the difficulties with managing these calls as the spammers get smarter is that they are often using Caller ID spoofing, which makes their caller ID show as if it was a normal caller, which prevents many standard blocking capabilities from distinguishing whether it is a telemarketer or someone you actually would want to speak to. We are always trying to improve our customer experience, so we thank you for raising your concerns.

In the meantime, depending on your phone model, there are many applications in the various App stores that offer free call blocking and call screening services. While we cannot recommend or support any specific third party application, you are always able to try those out and see if one works well for you.

KarolineD_VZW

Follow us on TWITTER @VZWSupport

If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

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33 Replies
naansalad
Specialist - Level 3

this is issue with any carrier .any one call you but its up t you if you want to answer call or not. yes most of time  those caller don't leave you voice mail either .

I so wish there was a way to stop and ignore those callers

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vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

Hi, JES41010, I definitely understand not wanting to be hassled by callers that you don't wish to speak to. I myself have had trouble with spam calls as well. I'm very glad to hear that you've already been working with the Do Not Call Registry, as that is an excellent path to addressing the overarching problem of spam callers in general.

We do offer the ability to block more than 5 numbers, as well as the ability to block all restricted, private, or unknown numbers as part of our Family Base feature. I appreciate the feedback that you would like having access to this capability without having to pay for Family Base.

One of the difficulties with managing these calls as the spammers get smarter is that they are often using Caller ID spoofing, which makes their caller ID show as if it was a normal caller, which prevents many standard blocking capabilities from distinguishing whether it is a telemarketer or someone you actually would want to speak to. We are always trying to improve our customer experience, so we thank you for raising your concerns.

In the meantime, depending on your phone model, there are many applications in the various App stores that offer free call blocking and call screening services. While we cannot recommend or support any specific third party application, you are always able to try those out and see if one works well for you.

KarolineD_VZW

Follow us on TWITTER @VZWSupport

If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

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mikefurnish
Enthusiast - Level 2

Caller ID spoofing, which makes their caller ID show as if it was a normal caller, which prevents many standard blocking capabilities from distinguishing whether it is a telemarketer or someone you actually would want to speak to

I don't understand how reporting a fake number to the DoNotCallRegistry is helping.  Why does Verizon allow people to call their customers with fake numbers?  If you call the number back, it is a non-working number.  Usually those calls have the same first 6 numbers in the 10 digit phone number.

Then there are the known scammers like the ones that call about your auto warrenty is about to expire (I don't even have a car).  Why don't Verizon give their customers the option to not allow those numbers to call?  You know it is a total scam because if you accept the phone call they want to know the information about the car.  Well you called me saying it was about to expire so why don't you tell me what vechicle it is?

Verizon deoesn't care about their cutomers or they would provide the real phone numbers of these fake calls so they could be reported.  I called 611 today and got absolutely no help today.  I could have got the same amount of help from my dog.

Merzdots
Newbie

As stated in the original post, other companies are doing a better job than Verison.   To me, it feels like Verison doesn't want to invest any money/time to stop it or they are making money allowing it.  I've registered with do-not-call, I pay Verison their silly $2.99 a month to block (which does not seem to help at all).  5 out of 6 calls I get are spam. 

Verison, it is time you do something about it - and please, do not say you understand blah-blah-blah.

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sprmankalel
Champion - Level 3

You are not the first person to post about this topic. Please read any of the numerous posts that have come previously.

You must take your issue to the government and have them change the laws.

Verizon is NOT in the business of blocking calls. They are in the business of connecting them. Sometimes I get calls with access codes to log into banking and other websites. I CERTAINLY don't want Verizon to block those calls because they are automated and dialed by a computer.

As for the spam calls I get (which are very few), I answer it and either select the option to be removed or I mess with the operator until they get so frustrated that they hang up and remove me. Saying "Hello is anyone there? I can't hear you" in a voice that sounds like you are 100 years old works well. Next one I get I'm going to pretend to be a cop at crime scene answering the random ringing phone.

Lighten up.

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mikefurnish
Enthusiast - Level 2

Verizon should be in the business of blocking calls especialy known spammers.  Verizon should at least give their customers a choice.

The major problem I have with Verizon is them letting people call you with fake ID numbers.  Their customers should have a choice if they want people calling them with fake phone numbers.  I surely don't!

sprmankalel
Champion - Level 3

Nobody does want these calls. However, I disagree with you. I don't want Verizon to block calls to my phone either. That is not what I pay for. How about answering them and using the opt out option? It seems to work for me. Also, remove your number from social media like Facebook. I wholeheartedly believe that having your number on Facebook puts you at risk. I also don't just put my number on random websites unless it is required for something that I have ordered. I keep my number guarded and don't freely give it out.

The best way to eliminate these unwanted robo calls is to write to your congressman and ask for them to start tightening up the laws about these types of calls. Verizon (nor any other carrier) is apt to start blocking calls. I can't say it enough that this is not what they do. If they start blocking calls and the system gets a glitch and you miss an important call that should not have been blocked, you'd threaten lawsuits and the such. Stop asking for them to do something that is not for the good of the rest of us. I don't have this problem and I don't want Verizon to block calls. I want my service EXACTLY the way it is.

You have the choice already. Family Base is $5 per month and you can block up to 20 number from calling you.

mikefurnish
Enthusiast - Level 2

Why do I want to answer some scammer?

I'm not on social media or facebook.

No, I don't want government to solve the problem.  The scammers will find ways around it.  I want the Verizon to give their customers choices.  If someone is calling me with a fake number, I want the option to not have it ring my phone.

I think that is a very simple request.

sprmankalel
Champion - Level 3

You already have that option. It is called Family Base. Pay for it.

The carriers are not going to start blocking calls. It won't happen. If you don't want the phone to ring disconnect the line and don't have a phone.

I have given you the option to get those calls to stop. Answer it and select opt out. They all have a this option. Try it. You'll find relief. Don't try it and keep getting the calls. Doesn't bother me any. However, stop asking for Verizon to start blocking calls. Landline services don't do that. Why should cell services?

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mikefurnish
Enthusiast - Level 2

I use my phone for business.  I can't disconnect it if I want to earn an income.

I'm not sure why Verizon can't offer their customers an option to block fake numbers and/or calls from known scammers.  It must be because they don't really care about the problem.

Another issue, I have is when a number is blocked (I have over 50 numbers from scammers blocked on my phone, I still get a 3 second voice message from the scammer.  Why can't they add an option to prevent the scammer (if blocked) from leaving a message.

sprmankalel
Champion - Level 3

There isn't a way to tell if a caller ID is fake.

If you block a number through your device the caller is sent to voicemail. That is the device.

Again, you are asking for something that is in direct contradiction of what Verizon is in business to do which is connect calls. Verizon starts blocking these calls, something gets coded in the system incorrectly during an update, you stop receiving legitimate calls, you lose business, you're back here complaining about how terrible the blocking service is and finally we tell you that you shouldn't have asked for it to begin with but you insisted and now you're not getting what you want. This is only one possible scenario.

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JES41010
Enthusiast - Level 2

But that still doesn’t explain why blocking any number more than five

numbers has a related cost to the customer. It really doesn’t.

If it is not possible for Verizon to decipher which are robocalls and any

computer can constantly dial through the Verizon system, (although I have

read other providers do a better job), again, explain why there is a charge

for more than 5 numbers being blocked?

JES41010
Enthusiast - Level 2

And not everyone is in business.

Let’s make up a different scenario. I am NOT using my Verizon phone for

business. I am a sitting duck. I am a 95 year old in ill health trying to

get some rest and peace, ill equipped to deal with constant computerized

robocalls and sales pitches (many of which involve criminal pitch activity).

But I leave my phone on by my bed or sofa because I might need it in an

emergency. And don’t want to miss a family call. Exactly the kind of

victim the robocall companies are looking for.

JES41010
Enthusiast - Level 2

And one more thing:

When I block the number on my device, the computerized robo caller just

keeps changing the last four digits the call is allegedly coming from, so

the call goes through.

Please don’t respond to these emails. I really found your response

completely lacking. Again, you failed to address the charge for more than 5

blocks. That kind of response just insults customers.

If you work for Verizon, they should not have you responding to these

emails.

sprmankalel
Champion - Level 3

The charge is for exactly what you're asking for, the option to decide who gets through and who doesn't.

I don't work for Verizon. Never attempted to represent myself as an employee. You have posted on a community forum where everyone is allowed to respond to a post. That is what forums are for.

It isn't until our government starts cracking down on auto dialed calls that this will truly be solved. Making it so that these people have to manually dial the numbers they're trying to reach will slow down their productivity. So, my suggestion is to write to your congressman and express your concerns. Until then, Verizon is completely doing the right thing and what we pay them for, connecting the calls made to our telephone numbers.

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mikefurnish
Enthusiast - Level 2

You find every excuse for the spammers and scammers to contact us.  You must be in that type of business!

You "If you block a number through your device the caller is sent to voicemail. That is the device."

You mean the phone I got from Verizon that is loaded with Verizon software can't prevent a block number from leaving a message?  It seems to me that if the customer wants to prevent block numbers from leaving messages it would be very simple but Verizon would rather support the scammers and spammers than their paying customers. 

Don't tell me that Verizon cant determine a fake number.

JES41010
Enthusiast - Level 2

I agree

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pherson
Champion - Level 1

I have lines on more than one network, and I get calls like this on both lines, it's not something the carriers can stop. If I don't recognize a number I don't answer. It's not hard to do and problem solved.

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mckinley8455
Newbie

No, not paying for it when other companies have a number to dial to block spam calls, Verizon is being ridiculous.

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vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

We are dedicated to combating these calls every day! We do offer our free Call Filter app as well found at http://www.vzw.com/callfilter. Also our Call and Message Block at https://m.vzw.com/m/callmessblock.

-Yale

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