Sage Datko  |  July 7, 2020

Category: Legal News

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You can stop robocalls with this robocall blocking app

As advancing technology makes it easier and easier to call thousands of numbers at once, consumers are being hit with an increasing number of robocalls. There are a few strategies that consumers can employ to prevent some of these calls, or at least reduce the number that get through.

Blocking numbers and registering on the Do Not Call List may be the first line of attack against robocalls. To take your strategy up a notch, however, you may want to try a robocall blocking app.

What Does A Robocall Blocking App Do?

A robocall blocking app can help weed out spam calls from wanted ones. 

Some carriers have their own robocall blocking apps that you can download. These apps work by cross-referencing an incoming call with your contact list to determine if the number is one you want to be called by. 

AT&T’s app is called AT&T Call Protect. This app lets you block calls that are a fraud risk for free, but charges you $4 per month if you want to block spam and robocalls.

Verizon’s version is Verizon Call Filter, whose basic version is free, and lets you identify and block spam calls. For an upgrade $3 per month, you will receive caller ID. 

T-Mobile does not require its customers to download an app to block spam calls. However, you can decide to pay $4 per month for caller ID and the feature that sends some calls directly to voicemail as opposed to letting them ring.

If you want to try a robocall blocking app beyond those that your carrier provides, you have a number of options. Mashable advises that installing a third-party robocall blocker may be one of the best ways to stop robocalls.

Additionally, third-party blockers may be able to block some political callers, though these calls are not subject to the same restrictions as telemarketing calls according to the FCC, per the restrictions of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Calls from political parties, non-profits, local governments, and other robocalls that are purely informational and are not meant to solicit business may also be allowed under the TCPA.

A robocall blocking app can help you avoid telemarketers. What Is The Best Robocall Blocker?

There are some factors that may help you decide which robocall blocker app is best for you. Some third party robocalls may come with privacy concerns.

Mashable says that recent research indicates that some of the most popular robocall blocking apps will upload consumer information to other companies, and share phone numbers with analytics firms without a customer’s consent. Mashable advises users to take a close look at the app’s privacy agreement to ensure that they won’t be subjected to unwanted information sharing. 

The Washington Post’s review of robocall blocker apps explains that it is important for an app to be able to block a robocall quickly — before a telemarketer has a chance to register your number as a live number. According to the Washington Post, YouMail is a great choice if you’re prioritizing speed. The app not only blocks calls quickly, but plays the sound of a dead line, in an effort to trick spammers into thinking your line is dead, and not one that they should call again. 

Reportedly, the app also can transcribe your messages, which can be a convenience, but can require you to give the app access to your voicemail information. The Washington Post says that the app used to make money off of a data service that verified identity, but has since sworn off this business, and reportedly will not sell user data.

Unfortunately, although installing a robocall blocking app may reduce the number of robocalls you receive, these apps are not perfect. They may accidentally block calls that are not robocalls, resulting in you missing important calls from friends, family, or employers. They may also be unable to block every robocall, resulting in scam callers still being able to contact you. Even the apps that send robocalls directly to voicemail may not be foolproof. These apps may simply result in your voicemail being clogged up with unwanted scam messages, making it more difficult to locate messages you may actually need to listen to.

How Else Can I Stop Robocalls?

Unfortunately, there is no perfect solution for stopping robocalls. Consumers may find that they continue to receive calls even with a robocall blocker app installed. Spam text and spam calls are becoming more common and callers more crafty as time goes by, as many discover new ways to work around robocall blockers.

In addition to enlisting the service of robocall blockers, either through your service provider or through a third party, you also have the option to report the calls to the authorities.

All robocalls can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission’s complaint portal. Spam texts and fraudulent emails can also be reported to the FTC through this same system.

You may also be able to report the robocalls to the national Do Not Call List, should you have previously registered yourself. The Do-Not-Call List is a national registry that prohibits telemarketers from contacting numbers registered on it. It is simple and free to sign up for the list, and registration does not expire unless you change your phone number.

According to the registry’s website, you can report robocalls after your number has been on the registry for 31 days. This is the length of time that businesses have to adhere to requests via the national Do Not Call Registry.

You may also be able to block individual robocaller phone numbers if you receive multiple calls from the same number. However, many robocallers will simply begin to call from a different number if they believe they have been blocked.

However, even after using robocall blocking services and reporting calls to the authorities, you may still struggle with these unwanted communications. If you find yourself continually bombarded with robocalls, you may be eligible to take action under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

TCPA prohibits businesses from sending telemarketing calls or texts to consumers without getting prior express written consent. Should businesses violate TCPA regulations, consumers may be able to collect up to $1,500 in compensation per violation. Saving a record of all unwanted spam calls, texts, and voicemails may be helpful in the event that you decide to pursue action under the TCPA. Speaking with an experienced TCPA attorney may be the first step towards stopping these intrusive phone calls and receiving compensation.

Join a Free TCPA Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you were contacted on your cell phone by a company via an unsolicited text message (text spam) or prerecorded voice message (robocall), you may be eligible for compensation under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.

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32 thoughts onStop Annoying Calls With These Robocall Blocking Apps

  1. Teresa Simmons says:

    I get them all the time. Have received some in the last couple of days. Beyond annoying! Add me please

  2. Debra Flores says:

    these are so annoying
    I was blocking them even after adding and calling and doing whatever i could to stop them

    They do not stop not even for one day

    I now just click to stop it from ringing and that has helped a little. I used to get like 20-30 calls a day and now maybe 5

    Please add ME

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