STOP SCAM CALLS and TEXTS: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has provided the below list of call block and labeling services currently available to consumers.
DR. ALEXIS PRO TIP: Labeling services display categories for potentially unwanted or illegal calls such as ‘spam’ or ‘scam likely’ on the Caller ID display.
Wireless/Mobile
o AT&T: Mobile security and call protection services.
o Google Project Fi: Call blocking options for Project Fi wireless service.
o Sprint: Call blocking options using My Sprint.
o T-Mobile: Call-protection options to identify or block potential scammers.
o U.S. Cellular: Automatic network call identification, labeling, and blocking app options.
o Verizon: Call Filter FAQS for screening and blocking unwanted calls.
Landline/Wireline/VoIP
o AT&T: Information on Digital Phone Call Protect service, call blocking, and other features.
o CenturyLink: Customer tips and tools to block unwanted calls.
o Comcast: Call blocking options for XFINITY Voice subscribers.
o Frontier Communications: Consumer options for call blocking tools and services.
o Spectrum: Guide for using Nomorobo service to block robocallers.
o Verizon: Options for stopping unwanted calls to residential lines.
Third-Party Analytics Resources
o First Orion: Tools and services for mobile customers and businesses.
o Hiya: Tools and services for mobile phones; Hiya Connect for businesses.
o Nomorobo: Tools and services for VoIP landlines and mobile phones.
o TNS Call Guardian: Call analytics solutions for businesses.
o YouMail: Tools and services for individuals and businesses.
Wireless Device Solutions
o Apple iPhones have an opt-in ‘Silence Unknown Callers’ call-screening and blocking feature.
o Google Pixel phones have a ‘Call Screen’ call-screening and blocking feature; Google offers several free, opt-in, call-blocking tool apps for Android phones; and Google Voice users can use a call management tool to block unwanted calls.
o Samsung partners with Hiya to offer a call-blocking solution called Smart Call to label potentially unwanted calls.
Trade Association Consumer Resources and Information
o CTIA: Consumer resources for stopping robocalls.
o US Telecom: Consumer information on illegal robocalls.
These resources were current as of the posting of this blog; however, if you want the most up to date call block and labeling resources, go to the websites listed below.
- CTIA: You can find a comprehensive list of call-blocking apps for mobile phones at org, a website for the U.S. wireless communications industry. The site lists apps specific to Android, BlackBerry, iOS(Apple), or Windows devices.
- FCC: For links to company-specific information about blocking calls, go to the FCC’s Call Blocking Resources – https://www.fcc.gov/call-blocking.