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T-Mobile Rolls Out Tools to Help Customers Avoid Scam Phone Calls

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T-Mobile today announced the launch of two new anti-scam features designed to cut down on scam phone calls, Scam ID and Scam Block.

Scam ID, as the name suggests, alerts customers when an incoming call is coming from a phone number known to be associated with a scam. Scam Block goes one step further, automatically blocking any calls identified as scams by Scam ID.

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"Every year, three out of four people in the US get at least one scam call--and fraudsters cheat consumers out of more than half a billion dollars per year! It's insane - so we had to do something to protect our customers!" said Neville Ray, Chief Technology Officer for T-Mobile. "So the T-Mobile team designed a brilliant set of patent-pending technologies -- then built them directly into our network, so there's nothing customers have to do. No hoops to jump through, no app to download. Like most T-Mobile technologies, it just works."
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Scam ID is powered by a global database that contains "tens of thousands" of known scammer numbers. T-Mobile updates the database in near real-time by analyzing every call that comes into its network with "behavioral heuristics" and "intelligent scam pattern detection." Every call is analyzed to identify and block scammers.

Both Scam ID and Scam Block are available on all devices on T-Mobile's network and will be included at no cost. The features are rolling out to customers starting today, and will be available to T-Mobile ONE customers first.

New T-Mobile ONE customers will automatically get Scam ID beginning on April 5, while other T-Mobile postpaid customers can enable the feature on that date by dialing #ONI# (#664#). To turn on Scam Block, customers can dial dial #ONB# (#662#).

T-Mobile warns that enabling Scam Block could potentially cause customers not to receive legitimate calls, so caution should be used before turning it on. Once enabled, it can be turned off by dialing #OFB# (#632#).

Article Link: T-Mobile Rolls Out Tools to Help Customers Avoid Scam Phone Calls
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2017/03/24/t-mobile-blocks-scam-phone-calls/
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Reactions: Sam_S and MareLuce
Would be nice. But most tend to block some actual places people use.

Nowadays the scams just use fake numbers. I don't ever answer a number with same area code and first 3 digits of my number. (I guess only really applies to people in larger cities).
 
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This implementation is blocking just "scam" calls from the list of their scam call database (puny "tens of thousands"). I applaud them for efforts, but what I really want is an option to block (1) "Do Not Originate" (spoofed numbers) and (2) no caller ID.
 
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So I sign up online for some Auto Warranty quotes. My phone number is very old, thus having an area code in another state. I get calls daily now, from my area code from these warranty companies- nice trick they have in their bags.

Anyhow, this again just shows how T-Mo is kicking everyones ass, as usual.
If they had the 700 spectrum where I live- I would be so onboard with them, like yesterday....
 
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while this is great, I feel like these types of services are always one step behind. Scammers are always using different and fake numbers. I'm not sure if it's crowd sourced (allow others to flag numbers as scam/junk) and maybe it updates like that? Still a great implementation that all cell companies need to be doing.
 
Good for T-Mobile taking some precautions regardless. Scam calls/robo-calls are happening more frequently and are intrusive. I think it's to the point where carriers need to devise a plan to battle this fraudulent behavior and put up some resistance.

I understand there will always be some form of manipulation through scammers to fraud someone of their information and will ultimately never be defeated, but continually implementing a plan of defense would at least embattle the issue with the assistance of carriers.
 
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True Caller I highly Recommend,was profiled on CBS news a couple months back! Works like a charm absolutely free for the features most people need!
 
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T-mobile makes noise on everything and everywhere. At&t has the service for 3 months already and it works perfect.
I wish T-mobile all the best, but I predict that T-mobile call block will work like billing system with extra charges or Digits with personal info leak at launch (I don't want to hear everything about T-mobile great service, this is my personal experience with them).
 
Carmenia83 said:
At least one call a year? I get about 10 a day lol. Nomorobo has cut that down quite a bit though since I downloaded it.
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I get 5+ a day, EASY. I just automatically reject any and every call from numbers not in my contact list. If they are real, they will leave a message and I'll call them back.

Anyways, I wouldn't lose a minute of sleep if every one of these idiots perpetuating these scam calls found themselves 6 feet under tomorrow. Actually, I would sleep better!
 
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konqerror said:
How so? AT&T got a similar service 3 months ago.

In fact, this service has a flaw. AT&T's version lets you see the blocked calls in an app, with optional notifications, so you can unblock false positives. Is there something similar here?
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What service is that?
I have ATT and have no knowledge of one. Please share- thanks!
 
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Yeah.....NO thanks. My Samsung GS7 has spam call blocking/reporting built right into it. It identifies spam calls as they ring and i just hit the block/report button. Nice little feature from Samsung.
 
konqerror said:
How so? AT&T got a similar service 3 months ago.

In fact, this service has a flaw. AT&T's version lets you see the blocked calls in an app, with optional notifications, so you can unblock false positives. Is there something similar here?
Click to expand...

Really? What's the app/service called?

I've been using Callblock, bought it before it went to a monthly subscription. It works for most, but not all. Still get a few spam calls here and there.
 
Until last week, the FCC prohibited phone companies from mass-blocking calls. They were mandated to make all calls go through. The only workaround was for the user to register with a third party provider like Nomorobo to intercept the calls.

With the new rulings, expect to see changes with every provider.

The method of comparing the caller ID number to a database cannot be foolproof against spoofing. But from my experience with Nomorobo, it does a pretty good job. It would require an overhaul of the entire telephone infrastructure to get a reliable system of authentication.
 
I would like to have a white list that would let the phone ring. All others not categorized would go to voice mail with perhaps a display notification briefly pop up to let you know a call is coming in should you want to answer it. It would be nice to also block by area codes and those that come in with no number. Current iPhones will not let you block those.
 
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