topic Re: Blocking Telemarketing Calls in Electronics

Blocking Telemarketing Calls

Lilysmom — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 19:32:04 GMT

One my iphone 6+, once I receive a telemarketing call, I block the number. What has been happening lately is a new one on me.

My phone doesn't ring and I get a voicemail. When I call up the voicemail, it is usually the call about lowering the interest rate on your credit card.

What's up with this? Anyone have this happen? Is there a fix? TIA. LM

Re: Blocking Telemarketing Calls

Group 5 minus 1 — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 19:34:29 GMT

Part of the problem is if the call is blocked than the caller goes to another number. We just keep blocking these numbers.

Re: Blocking Telemarketing Calls

Krimpette — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 19:43:46 GMT

I'm in the metro DC area. I used to have an iPhone 4s. For quite some time, I kept getting calls from area code 301, with an exchange of 275. A city would show up on the screen, but didn't match the city of the area code plus exchange. I kept blocking the numbers, but as someone else said, they would just keep changing the phone number.

I recently upgraded to an iPhone 7. The calls I began getting were area code 301, with an exchange of 307. Once again, the city showing on the screen does not match the city of the exchange. And the number would change after I blocked the previous number. Finally, in frustration I recently answered the call. It went something like. "Hi, how are you? Can you hear me OK?" I shouted "NO, and you have been reported to the FCC". He quickly hung up. Haven't had those calls since. And yes, I did contact the FCC.

I absolutely DETEST these scammers! (As does every one else, I know.)

Re: Blocking Telemarketing Calls

Lilysmom — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 19:49:14 GMT

@Group 5 minus 1 @Krimpette, I get that they keep changing numbers. What is different is that the phone doesn't even ring and then I get the voicemail. I was wondering if I was missing the call but I'm not. Weird huh? LM

Re: Blocking Telemarketing Calls

Krimpette — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 19:52:00 GMT

@Lilysmom That is really very weird!!!

Re: Blocking Telemarketing Calls

Caffeina — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 19:59:08 GMT

Same with me @Lilysmom.I found that if I blocked numbers on my cell phone, their calls would just go directly to voice mail. Now I just hit decline or don't answer.

Re: Blocking Telemarketing Calls

Lilysmom — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 20:03:39 GMT

@Caffeina, I don't have that option to decline on Iphone 6+. If anyone knows how to do that, let me know. It never comes up when I get a call.

Anyway, I can't hit decline because the phone doesn't ring. I suppose I could unblock the call but that wouldn't help either since I can't decline. LM

Re: Blocking Telemarketing Calls

2blonde — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 20:16:36 GMT

@Lilysmom That's odd. I've never heard of a phone where you couldn't decline a call. That option comes up when I get a call on my new Android LG smartphone, but I even had it on my old, old "dumb" phone that I bought back in 2010.

Re: Blocking Telemarketing Calls

phoenixbrd — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 20:18:51 GMT

@Lilysmom I also have 6 plus. When I block a call it doesn't ring and automatically goes to voicemail. Because I never answer these calls the number the scammers use frequently changes . Often they keep the area code and the first three numbers of the number called (or they use my phone number with this configuration). When I see this combination of numbers, I automatically block. I was told during an Apple class that the only way to block these calls not going to voicemail is to set up a list of numbers that you allow to go through and everything else gets blocked You can see the problems that this could make. Yet, I've considered it because 97% of my calls are scams. On the landline, since I set up Nomorerobo (can only be used on a landline), the blocked calls ring once and that is end of it. They do not go to voicemail like the IPhone, I just never answer my phones anymore and check it when convenient in case there is a rare valid call that is critical. I just accept this as security maintenance and it is a minor inconvenience as I never pick up and interact with the robos/scammers. Any answered call only increases their attempts to reach you. With these practices, my scam calls have decreased, but there isn't a day where there isn't a scammer calling.

Re: Blocking Telemarketing Calls

Lilysmom — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 20:53:39 GMT

@phoenixbrd, thanks for your reply. I note that you have iphone 6+. Do you have the option to decline a call? It doesn't come up on my iphone 6+. I did a search of the settings but mine was already at the recommended setting and I don't get the option.

If anyone knows how to do this on 6+, I would love to know. LM

Re: Blocking Telemarketing Calls

phoenixbrd — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 20:58:24 GMT

@Lilysmom No, that is why I've resorted to blocking any calls that don't leave a message or that I recognize as scam.

@Lilysmom wrote:
@phoenixbrd, thanks for your reply. I note that you have iphone 6+. Do you have the option to decline a call? It doesn't come up on my iphone 6+. I did a search of the settings but mine was already at the recommended setting and I don't get the option.

If anyone knows how to do this on 6+, I would love to know. LM

Re: Blocking Telemarketing Calls

Lilysmom — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 21:04:39 GMT

@phoenixbrd, That is my only issue with 6+. Otherwise, I love it! LM

Re: Blocking Telemarketing Calls

dooBdoo — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 21:59:44 GMT

Lilysmom wrote:
@phoenixbrd, thanks for your reply. I note that you have iphone 6+. Do you have the option to decline a call? It doesn't come up on my iphone 6+. I did a search of the settings but mine was already at the recommended setting and I don't get the option.

If anyone knows how to do this on 6+, I would love to know. LM

@Lilysmom, @phoenixbrd, It's not specific to the 6 plus. When your iPhone is locked, you won't see the "Decline" option.

The reasoning behind this is that if the phone is locked often that means it's been put away (stowed in a purse, etc.) and it would be easy for the wrong option to be pressed by accident. To decline a call on a locked phone, just tap the "sleep/wake/power" button 2 times rapidly.

Re: Blocking Telemarketing Calls

dooBdoo — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 21:22:30 GMT

Lilysmom wrote:
One my iphone 6+, once I receive a telemarketing call, I block the number. What has been happening lately is a new one on me.

My phone doesn't ring and I get a voicemail. When I call up the voicemail, it is usually the call about lowering the interest rate on your credit card.

What's up with this? Anyone have this happen? Is there a fix? TIA. LM

@Lilysmom, a couple of things come to mind. First is the new technology that allows calls to go directly to voicemail with no ring -- telemarketers and debt collectors are already using this straight-to-voicemail trick (to many people's dismay) and in recent months the powers-that-be in D.C. began looking at whether or not to permit this (search for "telemarketers going straight to voicemail" to read about it -- I'm not sure links would be acceptable on this issue). Also, I believe when we block calls on our device that's not the same as when the carrier blocks the call, so it's possible with some devices and some carriers you still might be able to access the voicemail. With my iPhone 5 (iOS 10.3.3) and AT&T if I block a number I won't see any voicemails from them.

Re: Blocking Telemarketing Calls

Lilysmom — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 21:58:47 GMT

@dooBdoo, thanks for this info. I will google as you suggest to see what the news is. LM

Re: Blocking Telemarketing Calls

Lilysmom — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 22:00:35 GMT

@dooBdoo wrote:
@Lilysmom wrote:
@phoenixbrd, thanks for your reply. I note that you have iphone 6+. Do you have the option to decline a call? It doesn't come up on my iphone 6+. I did a search of the settings but mine was already at the recommended setting and I don't get the option.

If anyone knows how to do this on 6+, I would love to know. LM

@Lilysmom, @phoenixbrd, It's not specific to the 6 plus. When your iPhone is locked, you won't see the "Decline" option.
The reasoning behind this is that if the phone is locked often that means it's been put away (stowed in a purse, etc.) and it would be easy for the wrong option to be pressed by accident. To decline a call on a locked phone, just tap the "sleep/wake/power" button 2 times rapidly.

@dooBdoo, thanks again! Who knew? I think when I am driving I can decline on touchscreen. Thanks so much!!! LM

Re: Blocking Telemarketing Calls

dooBdoo — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 22:36:49 GMT

Lilysmom wrote:
@dooBdoo, thanks for this info. I will google as you suggest to see what the news is. LM

You're welcome, @Lilysmom! Not a good piece of new technology, in my opinion -- it allows telemarketers and criminals more access to people they wish to harm.

Re: Blocking Telemarketing Calls

KentuckyWoman — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 22:40:44 GMT

Yep, the same thing happens to me. I keep getting calls from the "census bureau" in Indiana referencing a case number and asking me to return the call ASAP. I Googled the number and it is a company conducting a survey. I blocked them and it goes to my iPhone mailbox. I just delete it. At least the phone doesn't ring.

Re: Blocking Telemarketing Calls

meem120 — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 22:47:58 GMT

I have a 6+ also. The only time decline or accept comes up for me is if the number/person comes up as unknown. Then i can accept or decline. If it is someone on my contact list I dont get that option. Also, you can block rings, but its a little complicated. You have to make a favorites list and list all the contacts you want to ring, then anyone not on the fvorites list will either get blocked or go to VM. You won't be bothered with those calls. Only problem is if you forget to add to your favorites your out of luck. So now I just add the numbers I want to block under Z in my contacts and then just block them.

Re: Blocking Telemarketing Calls

NickNack — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 00:26:46 GMT

@Lilysmom. I either read about this or saw something about it on the news. There's a new law that says that telemarketers can go straight to voice mail instead of calling. I'm not quite sure how they do that, but that is what it said. Someone didn't tell me this. I actually saw it myself or read it.