Stay in Touch
Get sneak previews of special offers & upcoming events delivered to your inbox.
Sign in
12-21-2019 01:24 PM
@Krimpette wrote:@Abrowneyegirl I have call blocking feature on my landline (Panasonic system), so no additional charge for me. I have never paid for call blocking on my iPhone either. Is that something new? I'm puzzled as to why they would charge to call blocking. Maybe I'm misunderstanding.
It has to do with your carrier not your phone.
The whole call blocking 'game' is just that a game. At a security and protection conference, we were at recently was an eye-opener.
It is very hard to explain but, blocking numbers is apparently a joke when a user does this it confirms it is an 'active number' making your number more valuable so the dark web undercurrent just knows to route the next call to yet another number. They know numbers are endless, just pick under number to call you from.
It is the same thing for emails. Phone numbers and emails that are confirmed by the user by blocking or unsubscribing are extremely valuable on the dark web. Their advice was to ignore or use a service or you can just make matters worse.
The call block on your cell phone is meant for blocking an actual person like an ex-boyfriend or someone. NOT unknown callers.
To explain services and apps that are working to get to the root of the problem read here:
RoboKiller
RoboKiller is an app available in the App Store that will allow you to screen and block calls for $1.99 per month. The app will also automatically block a lot of known robocallers.
YouMail
Your phone may be compatible with a free service called YouMail. With YouMail you can block unwanted voicemail messages. “And you can do it with a very formal “This number is no longer in service…” type of message or something more errrr, personal – it’s up to you. The callers you ditch get the designated greeting you choose and are never given the option of leaving a voicemail message. And so the buzzing stops!”
Truecaller
Truecaller is another app for iPhone or Android that can stop unwanted callers. Identify and block spammers, search for unknown numbers, call friends and much more! With a community-based spam list from over 250 million users, Truecaller is the only phone app you’ll ever need.
Carrier Options
AT&T: AT&T offers a few different options for blocking numbers from calling or texting you. The main option is the AT&T Call Protect app that can be downloaded from the App Store (for iPhone) or the Google Play Store (for Android). However, AT&T Call Protect only lets you block numbers for up to 30 days, although it does let you block unlimited numbers. If you want to keep blocking those numbers after 30 days, you have to take action in the app to renew the block on those numbers. AT&T Call Protect also blocks spam calls and robocalls automatically.
AT&T also has something called AT&T Smart Limits that lets you block calls and texts for up to 30 numbers, but it can't block unknown numbers or anonymous callers. The service also costs $4.99 per month.
Sprint: Sprint allows you to block numbers by logging into your Sprint account online. Once you log in to your Sprint account, select My Preferences, then Limits and Permissions, then Block Voice, then enter the numbers you want to block. Sprint will not let you block unknown numbers.
T-Mobile: T-Mobile does not have any great way to block numbers, and their website support suggests using methods outlined in this guide, such as blocking the number on your device, or using a third-party app.
Verizon: Verizon only allows you to block up to five numbers on your Verizon account. The block on these numbers also only lasts for 90 days. To do this, log in to your Verizon Wireless account online, then navigate to My Account, then Manage Verizon Family Safeguards & Controls, then Call & Message Blocking Feature, then click Add Now.
"Do Not Call" Registry
If your offender is a telemarketer, stop them in their tracks by registering with the National Do Not Call Registry. It is illegal for telemarketers to call you after you have been added to this list. Allow 31 days for your registration to take effect, and if the calls still don’t stop, file a complaint.
How to block a number on iPhone:
Blocking a number on iPhone will stop the number from sending you text messages, FaceTime calls, and regular calls.
You can also block numbers on iOS by finding the contact in your Contacts app.
You cannot block unknown numbers with iOS.
12-21-2019 02:35 PM
Last evening a new thing happened on my landline caller ID. The call that came in showed (I saw it on my tv) not just a number but the words Suspected Spam. Must be something new my phone company is doing.
12-21-2019 02:52 PM
@Abrowneyegirl wrote:What do you make of this?
Starting yesterday morning I received several calls from the same number, does not leave a message. Then last night the text messages started. Simple messages looking for a response like
"Hi how are you?" "what are you up to?"
I just got another one today.
I would think if it was a wrong number they would have figured it out as my VM message says my name.
It seems like I am being baited to respond.
This is a variation of the baiting scheme I get on Messanger once in awhile. It always leads to a “free money” offer that of course is about getting my personal information.
12-21-2019 05:48 PM
@Abrowneyegirl wrote:I am amazed at how many here block all unknown numbers!
I have a Google phone so spam numbers are ID'ed as such and are eliminated after 1 call. Google tracks all spam numbers as part of a database.
If I blocked all other calls that came through as unknown or do not leave messages I would be blocking 5 numbers a day every day.
After 5-6 blocked numbers the major cell phone carriers charge you unless you pay for blocked call feature monthly.
This is a HUGE moneymaker for cell phone companies as people think 1- it is free and 2- it lasts forever Both 1 & 2 are false.
I block every single call that comes through on my VOIP phone without a recognizable Caller ID, and/or doesn't leave a legitimate message. No more trouble than listening to the phone ring 5-10 times per day, for 5 or 6 rings each.
On my cell phone, I've probably blocked dozens of calls. I have an Apple phone and use T-Mobile. I've never been charged a dime. T-Mobile does tell me if it's a suspected Scam call, but not with every call.
I've got NOMOROBO on my VOIP phone with Xfinity. I also have blocked all calls with "Unknown" in the caller ID, through Xfinity. I'm at the point now that some days I get just 1 or two spam calls, and some days I get none.
12-21-2019 09:08 PM
@BlueFinch wrote:It infuriates me that due to pest calls, we may actually miss a call we'd really like to take.
I get a dozen calls a day from cities and numbers I don't recognize, since my personal information went public as the executor of an estate. I've reached the anger point that if I'm near my phone, I'll just immediately hang the call up, hoping it'll appear they're blocked, until I can actually do so.
The other day I kept getting one of those calls. It was from a little city where I knew no one, OR, so I thought.
I finally picked up the call because it's unusual for the same number to keep repeating. It seemed a sense of urgency. It was my nephew who had moved to a new city and had a new cell number, wanting to update me.
I've learned now to NOT hang the calls up and wait them out to see if there's a legitimate VM before hanging up, or blocking. We shouldn't have to be playing these games.
ITA, I once missed a call from a doctor with test results because I wouldn't answer the call because it came up as private. I learned that this particular specialist called on weekends when he had the time to talk to his patients. He didn't charge for another office visit unless it was serious.
12-22-2019 08:37 AM
I am tired of getting the v calls. I used to block them but now I don't answer but still get them. I quit answering all calls I don't know and no one leaves a message.
Get sneak previews of special offers & upcoming events delivered to your inbox.
*You're signing up to receive QVC promotional email.
Find recent orders, do a return or exchange, create a Wish List & more.
Privacy StatementGeneral Terms of Use
QVC is not responsible for the availability, content, security, policies, or practices of the above referenced third-party linked sites nor liable for statements, claims, opinions, or representations contained therein. QVC's Privacy Statement does not apply to these third-party web sites.
© 1995-2025 QVC, Inc. All rights reserved. | QVC, Q and the Q logo are registered service marks of ER Marks, Inc. 888-345-5788