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

[whsbuss]

Apple's is definitely the nuclear option, and has flaws

It really depends on how many legitimate calls you’ll be receiving from unknown numbers — like a business might

That being said I haven’t used Verizon’s, but just keep in mind that the two go about handling spam very differently

Thanks I’m aware of that. But reading thru comments on the VZW app many say it still allows potential spam through. Even those who chose the paid version. Apple does have one feature I do like - if you call back a call denied because of not being in contacts, it then unblocks it.

 

[NufSaid]

Sorry late to the game..... for those using it since some months have passed by, how is it working for you? iOS13 is providing a blocking setting for any call received not in the contacts list..... which would you use?

It has worked really well for me....the number of calls has plummeted and even when i get a junk call on my Vonage app - it flags it as potential spam.

 

[smcgrath12]

Those in the US should just use Google Voice as their phone number to be spread around, and then you can easily treat your calls like your email.
It will save your real number from being exposed, and it makes things much simpler if you need to change your main number since everybody only knows your Google Voice number.

Interesting. I am going the opposite way. Move my main number to GV. Use the SIM free iPhone. That gives me the ability to move my cell service anytime with no number porting as deals come and go.

Any experience with GV’s spam filtering feature?

 

[pika2000]

Interesting. I am going the opposite way. Move my main number to GV. Use the SIM free iPhone. That gives me the ability to move my cell service anytime with no number porting as deals come and go.

Any experience with GV’s spam filtering feature?

Your scenario is another advantage of Google Voice.
I myself have used Google Voice before it was Google Voice (it was called Grandcentral before Google bought it). So far, the filtering is quite good imo. Whatever that goes through, you can flag them, just like email.

The downside is that some institutions like banks won’t accept virtual numbers like Google Voice.

 

[CarlJ]

Sorry late to the game..... for those using it since some months have passed by, how is it working for you? iOS13 is providing a blocking setting for any call received not in the contacts list..... which would you use?

I've been using the Verzion call blocker app for several months, and I do like it. Calls will ring with a name of "Potential Spam", if the number matches one on their list. Makes it pretty easy to ignore. They have 3 levels of matching (all numbers on their potentially-spam list, or medium-and-high likelihood only, or high likelihood only - I assume it's one list with a spam score attached to each number on the list) - I have it set to entirely block high-spam-likelihood calls, and let the rest ring through. But, if I see "potential spam", I'm pretty likely not going to answer.

I was waiting for a few legit calls from numbers I couldn't predict ahead of time, so I signed up for Verizon's $2.99/mo premium service, that sends caller ID info with the calls (if it's in your contacts, the name from your contacts will take precedence, otherwise the caller id name will show). This has turned out to be quite helpful as well. With those bits in place, I don't feel any need to block international entirely (it's possible, though unlikely, that I could get calls from overseas friends, would rather not chance nuking those). I also wouldn't want the "block any call not in your contacts" bit, for the same reason - calls that _might_ come in from unknown numbers that it turns out you very much want to take.

I'm annoyed that I have to pay Verizon to get caller ID (brings up memories of having to pay to get touch tone service, ages ago), but I'll put up with it for the convenience. When the phone rings, if it's not in my contacts, I get as much info as possible _right then_ about who it might be (usually, it's spam, and I can instantly ignore it, without worrying that I might miss a legit call). I used to find myself occasionally googling the numbers from missed calls to see if it was legit or spam. Now I know in realtime - I really like that.

The service itself works quite well, though I have found (the hard way) that when the app gets updated, the shiny new version is disabled in iOS's Settings app for call blocking (I can understand why Apple does this, they want you to approve each new version of this thing that is potentially interfering with your calls) - and I have to go switch it back on. If you start the app, it'll tell you it isn't currently enabled (it'd be nice if either iOS told you when it gets disabled, or if the app sent a push notification when a new version was installed). Other than that, it works well.

 

[DCIFRTHS]

I've been using the Verzion call blocker app for several months, and I do like it. Calls will ring with a name of "Potential Spam", if the number matches one on their list. Makes it pretty easy to ignore. They have 3 levels of matching (all numbers on their potentially-spam list, or medium-and-high likelihood only, or high likelihood only - I assume it's one list with a spam score attached to each number on the list) - I have it set to entirely block high-spam-likelihood calls, and let the rest ring through. But, if I see "potential spam", I'm pretty likely not going to answer.

I was waiting for a few legit calls from numbers I couldn't predict ahead of time, so I signed up for Verizon's $2.99/mo premium service, that sends caller ID info with the calls (if it's in your contacts, the name from your contacts will take precedence, otherwise the caller id name will show). This has turned out to be quite helpful as well. With those bits in place, I don't feel any need to block international entirely (it's possible, though unlikely, that I could get calls from overseas friends, would rather not chance nuking those). I also wouldn't want the "block any call not in your contacts" bit, for the same reason - calls that _might_ come in from unknown numbers that it turns out you very much want to take.

I'm annoyed that I have to pay Verizon to get caller ID (brings up memories of having to pay to get touch tone service, ages ago), but I'll put up with it for the convenience. When the phone rings, if it's not in my contacts, I get as much info as possible _right then_ about who it might be (usually, it's spam, and I can instantly ignore it, without worrying that I might miss a legit call). I used to find myself occasionally googling the numbers from missed calls to see if it was legit or spam. Now I know in realtime - I really like that.

The service itself works quite well, though I have found (the hard way) that when the app gets updated, the shiny new version is disabled in iOS's Settings app for call blocking (I can understand why Apple does this, they want you to approve each new version of this thing that is potentially interfering with your calls) - and I have to go switch it back on. If you start the app, it'll tell you it isn't currently enabled (it'd be nice if either iOS told you when it gets disabled, or if the app sent a push notification when a new version was installed). Other than that, it works well.

I have Verizon too. It's despicable that they don't send full caller ID information, and charge extra for it.

 

[jagooch]

I’ve tried this service several times. Each time it blocks both callers in my contacts and numbers that are important, like the police department.

My home alarm went off by accident a few days ago, the police called to check on me, but Call Filter blocked it. The call went straight to voice mail.

Imagine if it was life threatening, and I missed the call!

 

[subjonas]

Does anyone know if this works for spam texts too? Or only calls?

 

[splifingate]

Does anyone know if this works for spam texts too? Or only calls?

I have never received a notification about an unsolicited text . . . unknown senders, or the (relatively-few) unsolicited phishes.

Regards, splifingate

 

[Momof2.1107]

You can download an app called "Youmail" it blocks no caller id and gives them a recording that they CAN'T leave a message without unblocking their number (This is service is free). Been using it for close to 6 years. It also has other features including custom voicemail's for individual callers that you can assign. It' also has a feature called "Ditch Call," where once a number has been designated to be blocked they get the legit AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile etc (which ever you select) "This number is no longer in service recording" and it won't allow them to leave a message. This is also handy with people you no longer want to talk to, be that old girlfriends etc

I love YouMail and have been using it for a few years now. I love the different greetings and how it handles spam calls. I highly recommend this over the carriers spam apps.

 

[C DM]

I have never received a notification about an unsolicited text . . . unknown senders, or the (relatively-few) unsolicited phishes.

Regards, splifingate

As in you would still get them but somehow because of the call filter app you wouldn't get notifications for them?

 

[splifingate]

As in you would still get them but somehow because of the call filter app you wouldn't get notifications for them?

AFAIK, I have never, consciously, noted a Notification of the receipt from an unknown sender (pre-/post-call-filter) . . . I do get some unsolicited texts, from time-to-time (most-notably, those who track my data specifically with regards to my home purchase (asking if I'd be interested in selling (to no-avail, I must add))) . . .

. . . all that being said, I am unable to minute-by-minute monitor my comm device, so quite a few connects do slip past my attention

[ed: when I am in specific stitu with desired call-backs, I sometimes re-call the #'s filtered; to ensure that I am not missing one of import . . invariably, I am met with a "You call can not be completed", somewhat-appropriately verifying that the call was of specious origin]

Regards, splifingate