Many of us can't imagine what it's like to live without a cell phone, but what about all those calls we really don't want to pick up? Even if you try your best to keep your number private, unwanted calls from spammers or misdialed numbers keep coming. These calls can be very annoying, especially if you're worried that your number is on a phone list without you ever registering it. However, depending on the type of phone you have, there are ways to stop or prevent these calls from reaching your number.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Stopping Calls on Apple Android Phones and iPhones
Step 1. Download a call blocking app from Play Store
Android users have a lot of tools in the form of apps, which they can access to prevent unwanted calls, including:
- Call Filter, a very popular call barring app, is also free.
- DroidBlock, another Android app that can prevent unwanted calls, is also free.
- Be aware that the success rate of call barring apps varies, and all of these apps are not always 100% effective.
Step 2. Set spam calls to always be routed directly to voicemail
Some Android phones have this option. You can then check your voicemail and identify spammers or unwanted calls that you want to prevent. To prevent spammer numbers directly:
- Add the spammer's phone number to your address book.
- Press the Menu key and select Options.
- Enable the “Incoming calls/Send calls directly to voicemail” option.
- Add all the other spam numbers to your phonebook list, and they'll all be routed to voicemail immediately. After a few rejected calls, usually spammers will understand and stop calling.
- If you want to prevent calls based on a number and skip the step of adding a spam number to your phone as a contact, you can install a third-party app like Mr. Numbers. Mr. Number is a free app for Android, which you can download from the Play Store.
Step 3. Jailbreak your Apple iPhone to activate the call barring tool
Jailbreak, or hacking your iPhone is fairly easy to do and doesn't violate any laws, but will void your Apple warranty.
After you jailbreak your phone, you can download and install iBlacklist. With this application, you can select the numbers you want to prevent or add the numbers that have been prevented to the blacklist manually
Method 2 of 3: Prevent Calls on All Phones
Step 1. Use Google Voice
Preventing calls with Google Voice is pretty easy, as the program gives you the option to redirect spam calls directly to voicemail, treat them all as spam, or prevent them entirely. The ways to prevent calls on Google Voice are as follows:
- Log in to your Google Voice account.
- Look for the call you want to block, or the voicemail that came from the related spam call.
- Select the checkbox next to the call or voicemail.
- Select the “more” link below the call.
- Select "Block Caller".
- If you don't have a Google Voice account and you live in the US, you can register via this link:
- You don't need to change your number to activate a Google Voice account that prevents calls, because you can set it to work as your voicemail.
Step 2. Purchase TrapCall
TrapCall is a low-cost service that blacklists all bad calls, and uncovers the identity of rejected calls. With this app, you will always know who is calling you. This application is also compatible with all mobile phones.
- TrapCall also records and bans all unwanted text messages and calls.
- For around IDR 65,000.00 a month, you can get a basic service from TrapCall, which will ensure that unwanted/spam numbers cannot reach your number.
Method 3 of 3: Contacting the Service Provider and the FCC (Communications Council)
Step 1. Notify your service provider that you are receiving unwanted or spam calls
Your mobile phone service provider should be committed to keeping your phone safe from unwanted calls.
- Your service provider may be able to offer various ways to prevent calls, for a fee. Depending on your service provider, this precaution may be in the Parental Controls menu.
- AT&T has a feature called Smart Controls and charges $5 per month to activate the service.
- Verizon has a free call barring service, which can bar up to five callers. They also offer an option for $5 per month, called Usage Controls, which includes more features.
- T-Mobile doesn't have an official call barring feature, but you can call 611 and ask their customer service to prevent calls from a specific number.
- Sprint offers its users a barred call management option, from their My Sprint account settings.
Step 2. Raise the issue with the Federal Communications Commission Advisory Board (FCC - if you live in the US)
If the spam calls are aggressive or offensive, consider contacting the FCC so you can complain about the number. Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the FCC has established rules regarding unsolicited marketing calls. These rules include:
- Any person making an unsolicited phone call to your home must state their name, the name of the person or business entity they represent, and the telephone number or address where the person or business entity can be contacted.
- Unsolicited phone calls are prohibited before 08:00 or after 21:00.
- Telemarketers (telephone marketers) must immediately grant a no-call request when they call you.
- In 2003, the FCC teamed up with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to create a national "Do-Not-Call" service.
Step 3. Register for this "Do-Not-Call" service
This free service is provided by the Federal Trade Commission. You can register landlines, mobile phones, and handsets.
- You can register for this service over the phone or online. You will need a valid email address for confirmation when registering online.
- Find out about registering your name with the national Do Not Call service to learn more.
- If you've already signed up, and a company violates its "Do Not Call" rules by texting or calling, you can file a complaint.
- You have to prove that the company has never had a relationship with you before, and that you get calls with recordings, paid SMS, or calls after 9 PM. All cases filed will be seriously investigated by the FTC, and companies calling without authorization will be held responsible for their actions.
- Make sure you record the spammer's phone number and phone number to register your complaint.
Tips
- Try your best to keep your mobile number private.
- Never pick up a number you don't know or reply to an SMS from an unknown number. After you confirm the existence of your phone and its current use with the caller, you may continue to be disturbed by the caller.
