Verizon Launches Free Version of Call Filter Service for Blocking Spam Calls

[MacRumors]

Verizon, one of the four major cellular carriers in the United States, today announced the launch of a new free version of its Call Filter service that will identify, filter, and block incoming spam phone calls.

Verizon has offered its Call Filter service for some time now, but prior to today, all of the filtering technology required a $2.99 per month fee.

As of today, the spam detection, filtering, and number reporting features of the service are free, but there continues to be a $2.99 per month fee for Caller ID, a personal spam list, a personal block list, a risk meter, and spam lookup functionality.

For Verizon customers, the free call filtering option will provide alerts when an incoming call is likely a spam caller, it will report unsolicited numbers, and, if the option is selected, automatically block incoming robocalls.

All of Verizon's postpaid wireless customers with a compatible device are able to enroll, but the service is not available to prepaid customers.

Verizon says that in addition to making Call Filter free for all customers, it has made advancements towards blocking spoofed phone numbers. STIR/SHAKEN technology will verify that the phone number displayed on Caller ID is the phone number that has actually placed the call.

Verizon says this new call authentication standard will be deployed on the Verizon network in conjunction with other major carriers in the coming months.

"Far too frequently, customers tell me they want relief from the bombardment of bothersome robocalls," said Ronan Dunne, president of Verizon's consumer unit. "I'm confident that our new, free version of Call Filter and STIR/SHAKEN will put a big dent in the problem."

Verizon customers that want to sign up for the Call Filter service can do so through the Verizon website. The Call Filter app for iOS will need to be downloaded to unlock the full functionality.

Article Link: Verizon Launches Free Version of Call Filter Service for Blocking Spam Calls

 

[ideal.dreams]

Sure would be nice if we had some kind of regulatory body that could regulate these calls instead of cellular providers profiting form it.

 

[stars_fan]

You can get the same thing for AT&T. They have an app called call protect.

 

[rjohnstone]

You can get the same thing for AT&T. They have an app called call protect.

Yep, and it's free, and it does all the things the Verizon paid version does.

 

[reyalP]

Anyone able to get this working with esim?

 

[Stevez67]

I have a personal spam call filter ... if the number isn't in my contacts list, I ignore the call. If it's important they'll leave a message. If no message, no worry. It's free, doen't use any memory, uses no cloud service, and is 100% effective.

 

[peterh988]

90% of my spam call problem would be solved if Apple allowed me to block 'No Caller ID'.

Or at least handled them the same way my landline phone does.

 

[MauiPa]

How about this?

Every caller is bonded, and subject to jail for a felony for violations, if we get a robocall/spam/fraud we report the call. After a certain number of complaints, the number is investigated. If found to be a bad call, everyone who reports it, or maybe everyone called, gets $100.

Spoofed numbers automatically pay

A market solution. I bet after 1 or 2 months, robocallers would be out of business and or in jail

Yay!

 

[blacktape242]

you have to PAY for this service, should be free to be honest.

 

[Westside guy]

Excuse me - I thought I saw the terms "Verizon" and "free" in the same sentence. Must've been a mistake.

 

[MoreRumors?]

It’s a start but wish it is free for the rest of the filter. Verizon needs to do this for landline as well.

Sure would be nice if we had some kind of regulatory body that could regulate these calls instead of cellular providers profiting form it.

I totally agree and it need to be done but I know this is a low priority.

 

[MauiPa]

90% of my spam call problem would be solved if Apple allowed me to block 'No Caller ID'.

Or at least handled them the same way my landline phone does.

Isn’t that a carrier service. I have att and can’t, but a Verizon groupie told me he could(not verified). Also, I hear there is a way of setting a 000-000-0000 contact and blocking which is supposed to work. All I can say is I never get “no caller Id” calls, but I do get stupid spoophed calls

 

[richard4339]

It wants access to my contacts, but doesn’t state why in the FAQ. I’ve previously added spam numbers to a contact I called “spam” and want to make sure this isn’t going to interfere, but I can’t find the reason for said access.

 

[TMRJIJ]

It would be awesome if this was completely free. Spam Calls are getting worst. I used to get one or two every day.

 

[upnorth85]

How about this?

Every caller is bonded, and subject to jail for a felony for violations, if we get a robocall/spam/fraud we report the call. After a certain number of complaints, the number is investigated. If found to be a bad call, everyone who reports it, or maybe everyone called, gets $100.

Spoofed numbers automatically pay

A market solution. I bet after 1 or 2 months, robocallers would be out of business and or in jail

Yay!

Bulk of these calls are coming from outside the US, where the FCC and FTC have no reach. Of the $2 million fine last year they recovered only $6k in fines!

 

[Spaceboy88]

I have a personal spam call filter ... if the number isn't in my contacts list, I ignore the call. If it's important they'll leave a message. If no message, no worry. It's free, doen't use any memory, uses no cloud service, and is 100% effective.

The difference here is that those millions of known spam phone numbers will be blocked before they even ring your phone. I was using the paid service and it was amazing how much it cut down the robocalls. I switched to the free one yesterday and so far it's been working just as good.

 

[upnorth85]

I personally never pick up a call if not in my contact list. If no voice mail left or the voice mail is junk, I block the number. But since these are spoof calls, the numbers are fake.

 

[TMRJIJ]

It wants access to my contacts, but doesn’t state why in the FAQ. I’ve previously added spam numbers to a contact I called “spam” and want to make sure this isn’t going to interfere, but I can’t find the reason for said access.

They'll either register those numbers as 'safe' or create their own spam contact and add to it (like TrueCaller)

 

[oneMadRssn]

It wants access to my contacts, but doesn’t state why in the FAQ. I’ve previously added spam numbers to a contact I called “spam” and want to make sure this isn’t going to interfere, but I can’t find the reason for said access.

Usually it's to whitelist your contacts, to ensure it the filter doesn't accidentally block your buddies and such.

 

[cmaier]

App doesnt work at all for me. It demands I enter my phone number, and as soon as i do it asks me again. Infinite loop. Uninstalled.

 

[AppleWes]

Checked app store reviews, looks like it's not working for most users. Even when I try to enroll my account online receive error that phone isn't supported (but it is supported on their device list / XR).

90% of my spam call problem would be solved if Apple allowed me to block 'No Caller ID'.

Or at least handled them the same way my landline phone does.

Exactly! I'm not sure why Apple won't enable what seems like a basic feature? Unless somehow paid off by phone companies to allow all calls.

 

[NachoGrande]

Yep, and it's free, and it does all the things the Verizon paid version does.

no you have to pay 3.99 for caller id and custom blocking.

 

[Harthag]

Doesn't work on my unlocked S10e. My Verizon account says I have no devices compatible with this feature. Hopefully it will start working soon, this would be a great feature. I get no fewer than 3 spam calls every day.

 

[zaxcom]

Does not work for me on an iPhone 8. Say unable to register, try later.

 

[kyleh22]

How about this?

Every caller is bonded, and subject to jail for a felony for violations, if we get a robocall/spam/fraud we report the call. After a certain number of complaints, the number is investigated. If found to be a bad call, everyone who reports it, or maybe everyone called, gets $100.

Spoofed numbers automatically pay

A market solution. I bet after 1 or 2 months, robocallers would be out of business and or in jail

Yay!

unfortunately its very hard to tell where calls originate from. Many times is VOIP or the DNIS has been edited to make it appear to Telcoms that the call originated somewhere else.