RoboCall Blocking Methods
Here are the various methods to stop RoboCalls in use today or coming soon.
This is a serious problem, and only serious solutions are going to get serious consideration. We are skeptical of all solutions and claims. If any of these solutions actually did what they claimed, then why are we experiencing a "RoboCall epidemic," with more RoboCalls than ever before?
Remember, a phone company's revenue is based on calls completed, not defeated. Asking a carrier to provide a solution is little like asking the fox to guard the hen house.
This is a serious problem, and only serious solutions are going to get serious consideration. We are skeptical of all solutions and claims. If any of these solutions actually did what they claimed, then why are we experiencing a "RoboCall epidemic," with more RoboCalls than ever before?
Remember, a phone company's revenue is based on calls completed, not defeated. Asking a carrier to provide a solution is little like asking the fox to guard the hen house.
Blocking Methods in Use Today
Blacklist
A blacklist is a list of numbers that are blocked. This blacklist can be user-generated or it can be updated by the provider.
This method may allow a call to get through the first time and require the user to add the number to their blacklist so that it is blocked in the future. Unfortunately, RoboCallers often change their caller number - called "spoofing" - to circumvent the blacklisted number. Some devices and applications that employ blacklist technology allow up to 10,000 numbers to be blocked!
CrowdSourcing
CrowdSourcing combines the data from multiple blacklist sources, creating a comprehensive blacklist, and is used by some cloud-based applications and cloud-connected devices. While this is a cooperative way to spot RoboCall numbers, it still requires number identification and on-going management. It can also incorrectly blacklist numbers.
Whitelist
This technology checks inbound callers against a list of accepted phone numbers or, in some cases, against your contact list of known, genuine numbers. Unlisted or non-contact phone numbers are sent directly to voicemail. Unfortunately with this option, no new callers will be able to reach you directly. Typical voicemail is capped at 20 calls, so your mailbox could fill quickly. Make sure you check frequently and delete often.
Call Blocking
Often provided by your telephone company for mobile phones (and sometimes landlines), various services attempt to reduce the frequency of RoboCalls.
All four solutions can also cross-check your contacts to make sure the technology doesn’t block someone you want to get through (often called a “false positive”).
Call Forwarding
This technology sends all calls to a separate, cloud-based server where calls are screened. Once you have registered, this technology can use a combination of blacklists and whitelists. This service handles all calls for you, and acts as an off-carrier voice mail service. Most services will give you extended voice mail capabilities. The downside is that your phone no longer accepts any calls - in essence becoming an out-bound only calling device. Call-forwarding companies have access to all your inbound contact phone numbers and all voice mail recordings.
Caller Authentication
One of the newer technologies in the fight against RoboCalls, this service is an advancement of call-forwarding. After the call is forwarded to an off-carrier server, the service then prompts a live caller to an action that only a live caller could respond to, like pressing a key or sequence of keys, speaking their name or speaking a specific phrase. If correct, the service may record a voice mail message. The service alerts the customer of a live in-bound call and whether or not a voice mail message was recorded. Customer can call back or listen to the message and take appropriate action.
STIR/SHAKEN
This is new technology that is just now rolling out with wireless carriers. It attaches a "digital token" on authentic calls from the sending carrier. The receiving carrier checks to see if the digital token is there and if it is valid. If so, the call is displayed as "verified," otherwise it is marked as "not-verified." Once that system is fully operational, it should eliminate “spoofed” calls.
But STIR/SHAKEN won’t automatically block the many legal RoboCalls, such as those from bill collectors, political campaigns, and some telemarketers. However, it will help label them so that the called party can better identify who's calling and decide whether or not to answer.
STIR/SHAKEN also may not be fully effective with international calls. That's because it can only authenticate calls from a country that has its own STIR/SHAKEN system. About 25 percent of RoboCalls originate overseas. Expect that number to go up.
Versions of STIR/SHAKEN are currently being rolled out by Tier 1 carriers, but it may be a while before the technology works cross-carrier. Smaller carriers - Tier 2 and Tier 3 - still have to make expensive digital upgrades to run the technology, which could be a few years away. As long as these gaps in coverage remain, no one will be fully protected.
If all major providers participate in call verification, it still may not significantly reduce the number of RoboCalls. The six largest carriers only account for 13 percent of scam RoboCalls. Officials warn that scammers will still find their way around the authentication by purchasing numbers or using providers that employ the technology. Experts are seriously concerned about scam calls showing up on your phone as "verified."
Wireless Carrier-Provided Options
Wireless Applications
Home Land Line Options (VoIP and others)
Hardware
Software
Blacklist
A blacklist is a list of numbers that are blocked. This blacklist can be user-generated or it can be updated by the provider.
This method may allow a call to get through the first time and require the user to add the number to their blacklist so that it is blocked in the future. Unfortunately, RoboCallers often change their caller number - called "spoofing" - to circumvent the blacklisted number. Some devices and applications that employ blacklist technology allow up to 10,000 numbers to be blocked!
CrowdSourcing
CrowdSourcing combines the data from multiple blacklist sources, creating a comprehensive blacklist, and is used by some cloud-based applications and cloud-connected devices. While this is a cooperative way to spot RoboCall numbers, it still requires number identification and on-going management. It can also incorrectly blacklist numbers.
Whitelist
This technology checks inbound callers against a list of accepted phone numbers or, in some cases, against your contact list of known, genuine numbers. Unlisted or non-contact phone numbers are sent directly to voicemail. Unfortunately with this option, no new callers will be able to reach you directly. Typical voicemail is capped at 20 calls, so your mailbox could fill quickly. Make sure you check frequently and delete often.
Call Blocking
Often provided by your telephone company for mobile phones (and sometimes landlines), various services attempt to reduce the frequency of RoboCalls.
- Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint each offers opt-in solutions: Verizon Call Filter (for iPhone and Android) labels suspected robocalls before you answer. The service is free, and for $3 per month you can get caller ID, too.
- AT&T Call Protect is free to block suspected fraudsters, and there’s an optional second tier to the service that lets you block legitimate telemarketers and political calls (for $4 per month).
- T-Mobile’s Scam ID and Scam Block services can be enabled, and it doesn’t require an app like the Sprint and AT&T solutions. For $4 per month, you’ll have additional options, as well as caller ID.
- Similarly, Sprint offers Premium Caller ID ($3 per month), which displays the caller’s name if he or she is not already in your contacts, and blocks suspected robocallers, fraudulent calls and potential spammers.
All four solutions can also cross-check your contacts to make sure the technology doesn’t block someone you want to get through (often called a “false positive”).
Call Forwarding
This technology sends all calls to a separate, cloud-based server where calls are screened. Once you have registered, this technology can use a combination of blacklists and whitelists. This service handles all calls for you, and acts as an off-carrier voice mail service. Most services will give you extended voice mail capabilities. The downside is that your phone no longer accepts any calls - in essence becoming an out-bound only calling device. Call-forwarding companies have access to all your inbound contact phone numbers and all voice mail recordings.
Caller Authentication
One of the newer technologies in the fight against RoboCalls, this service is an advancement of call-forwarding. After the call is forwarded to an off-carrier server, the service then prompts a live caller to an action that only a live caller could respond to, like pressing a key or sequence of keys, speaking their name or speaking a specific phrase. If correct, the service may record a voice mail message. The service alerts the customer of a live in-bound call and whether or not a voice mail message was recorded. Customer can call back or listen to the message and take appropriate action.
STIR/SHAKEN
This is new technology that is just now rolling out with wireless carriers. It attaches a "digital token" on authentic calls from the sending carrier. The receiving carrier checks to see if the digital token is there and if it is valid. If so, the call is displayed as "verified," otherwise it is marked as "not-verified." Once that system is fully operational, it should eliminate “spoofed” calls.
But STIR/SHAKEN won’t automatically block the many legal RoboCalls, such as those from bill collectors, political campaigns, and some telemarketers. However, it will help label them so that the called party can better identify who's calling and decide whether or not to answer.
STIR/SHAKEN also may not be fully effective with international calls. That's because it can only authenticate calls from a country that has its own STIR/SHAKEN system. About 25 percent of RoboCalls originate overseas. Expect that number to go up.
Versions of STIR/SHAKEN are currently being rolled out by Tier 1 carriers, but it may be a while before the technology works cross-carrier. Smaller carriers - Tier 2 and Tier 3 - still have to make expensive digital upgrades to run the technology, which could be a few years away. As long as these gaps in coverage remain, no one will be fully protected.
If all major providers participate in call verification, it still may not significantly reduce the number of RoboCalls. The six largest carriers only account for 13 percent of scam RoboCalls. Officials warn that scammers will still find their way around the authentication by purchasing numbers or using providers that employ the technology. Experts are seriously concerned about scam calls showing up on your phone as "verified."
Wireless Carrier-Provided Options
- Call Protect (AT&T) - Blacklist | Free basic service or $4.00/mo Premium
- Call Filter (Verizon) - Blacklist and Caller ID | Free basic service or $3.00/mo Premium
- Scam ID (T-Mobile) - Blacklist and Caller ID | Free basic service or $4.00/mo Premium
- Premium Caller ID (Sprint) - Blacklist and Caller ID | 2.99/mo Premium Service
Wireless Applications
- Hiya (and Mr. Number) - Blacklist and Whitelist | $2.99/mo or $14.99/yr
- TrueCaller - Blacklist and Whitelist | $0.99/mo (Premium available for Android only)
- YouMail - Blacklist and Whitelist with Call-Forwarding | $2.99/mo or $29.99/yr or more
- RoboKiller - Call-Forwarding | $19.99/yr
- Nomorobo - Blacklist | $1.99/mo or $19.99/yr
- Jolly Roger - Caller Authentication | $11.88/yr
Home Land Line Options (VoIP and others)
Hardware
- AT&T DECT with Answering System - Phone with built-in Blacklist | $66.11
- AT&T Cordless Phone with Smart Call Block - Phone with built-in Blacklist | $109.99
- CPR Guard / CPR Shield / CPR V10000 - Blacklist | $59.00 / $69.00 / $99.00
- CPR CS900 Flip Phone - Built-In Blacklist (AT&T and T-Mobile only) | $79.99
- Dasym CT-CID803 Plus - Blacklist | $39.98
- Digitone ProSeries Blocker - Blacklist with annual renewals | $69.95
- HQteleCOM Ultimate Call Blocker - Blacklist and Whitelist | $159.99
- HQteleCOM iPrivacy Call Blocker - Blacklist and Whitelist w/Do Not Call message | $69.95
- HQteleCOM Universal Pro and T-Lock - Blacklist | $24.99 / $59.99
- LeeKer LKP06B and LK-P024W - Blacklist and Whitelist | $39.99
- M Cheeta 801 Call Blocker - Blacklist | $49.99
- Panasonic with Voice Assist - Phone with Built-In Blacklist | $69.99
- Panasonic Call Blocker - Blacklist | $99.95
- The RoboCall Blocker 10000 - Blacklist | $119.99
- Sentry / Sentry 2.2 / Sentry 3.1 - Blacklist and Whitelist with Live Caller Authentication | $39.00 / $59.00 / $79.00
- TeleZapper (The Original) - Plays "Bad Number" Tones | Available online and at Walmart
NOTE: The Original TeleZapper is no longer effective with today's robocall technology and is not recommended
Software
- Nomorobo - Blacklist | Free basic service
Prevent telemarketers from connecting to your phone. Protect yourself and your family from telephone scams. Take back control of your phone.
Feel free to share any information on this site with friends and family who may also need help protecting their privacy and safety from tele-criminals.
Feel free to share any information on this site with friends and family who may also need help protecting their privacy and safety from tele-criminals.
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