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Let’s Destroy Robocalls

nytimes.com

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Re: Let’s Destroy Robocalls

#261

Post by SAI_Peregrinus »

shakenAndStir wrote: post #245
kabdib wrote: post #191

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Verizon has my cell phone in some kind of trial for a new service that's supposed to filter out robocalls. They'll want to charge me for it soon, I'm sure. I'm betting that as soon as the trial is up (one that I never asked for, btw) that the number of bogus calls will skyrocket, and I'll be forced to whitelist. My response will be letters to the FCC [nothing will happen] and the FTC [nothing will happen]. Companies…

Sounds like you've been opted-in to a trial of SHAKEN/STIR[0], which is a new government mandated technology that phone companies have to install to block robocalls this year. I believe it will be free to all because it will be required by the gov. [0] https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/02/ajit-pai-orders-...

"I believe it will be free to all because it will be required by the gov."

This is an industry that already sticks in "regulatory compliance" fees. Why would you think they'd make it free when they can charge you for it with no way to opt out of the fee?

Re: Let’s Destroy Robocalls

#263

Post by ElCapitanMarkla »

cletus wrote: post #62

So robocalls are the result of: - Cost of phone calls decreasing to basically zero - Cost of automation going to basically zero - Phone calls that can come from the Internet so there are no national boundaries anymore - Caller ID operating on essentially the honor system - Bad actors (telephone companies) benefitting from this traffic by charging for it - Larger players having no incentive to punish bad actors There'…

I was getting 10+ spam calls a day a couple of months back. They all originated from overseas numbers and I was pissed off that there isn’t a way with iOS at least to block certain countries. Like no one from Malta is ever going to call me so why can’t I just block Malta.

I resorted to using Do not Disturb mode allowing my contact list to ring. It’s worked out great, I have missed a couple of blocked caller numbers that I would have liked to have taken but they always leave messages. And the spam calls have more or less dried up now.

Re: Let’s Destroy Robocalls

#264

Post by abawany »

escherplex wrote: post #87
cletus wrote: post #62

So robocalls are the result of: - Cost of phone calls decreasing to basically zero - Cost of automation going to basically zero - Phone calls that can come from the Internet so there are no national boundaries anymore - Caller ID operating on essentially the honor system - Bad actors (telephone companies) benefitting from this traffic by charging for it - Larger players having no incentive to punish bad actors There'…

A smart phone app which behaves as a firewall requiring callers to enter, say, a three character PIN code before phone rings may be useful. Incorporate two message files, one for leaving messages from those who know the PIN code and one those who don't, would allow for any contingencies. A front end answering machine box for the home with the same functionalities may be useful as well.

Recent Panasonic cordless phones, which can handle cell calls if configured, have this feature. It lets the user define the 4-digit code that a non-whitelisted caller must enter before their call is allowed through.

Re: Let’s Destroy Robocalls

#265

Post by abawany »

jliptzin wrote: post #92
petters wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Why I can't get this is beyond me. The first setting in my default Android phone app is to block unknown callers. What specifically do you want?

Is that just blocking calls with unknown caller ID or calls that are not in your contacts list?

In my phone with LineageOS, the option was to block anyone who was not in the contacts list.

Re: Let’s Destroy Robocalls

#266

Post by suggestionman »

cletus wrote: post #62

So robocalls are the result of: - Cost of phone calls decreasing to basically zero - Cost of automation going to basically zero - Phone calls that can come from the Internet so there are no national boundaries anymore - Caller ID operating on essentially the honor system - Bad actors (telephone companies) benefitting from this traffic by charging for it - Larger players having no incentive to punish bad actors There'…

block all calls coming from India

problem. solved.

Re: Let’s Destroy Robocalls

#267

Post by dnsbty »

ssimpson wrote: post #257
cfallin wrote: post #84

One solution, not practical for most folks but works well for me: live in a different area code than phone number. (My cell number is in the area code I grew up in.) It seems most spam calls either fake a source number that's in my phone's area code, or use a completely random source. Almost any inbound call I actually expect without an address-book entry would come from my (new) local area code, so I can pick up a c…

I have the same issue. I'm in the PNW, but have a 210 number. I'm pretty sure most of the time they are just war dialing the prefixes to figure out who answers. The robocallers are also spoofing all numbers, as i get people calling me saying "why did you call me?!"

A fellow San Antonian?

Re: Let’s Destroy Robocalls

#269

Post by tlavoie »

atombender wrote: post #158
cletus wrote: post #62

So robocalls are the result of: - Cost of phone calls decreasing to basically zero - Cost of automation going to basically zero - Phone calls that can come from the Internet so there are no national boundaries anymore - Caller ID operating on essentially the honor system - Bad actors (telephone companies) benefitting from this traffic by charging for it - Larger players having no incentive to punish bad actors There'…

Whitelisting is problematic because there are so many cases where it's impractical or impossible to add a contact first: Doctor's office calling to confirm your appointment; restaurant confirming a seat reservation; delivery guy is outside and can't find your doorbell; Lyft/Uber/whatever is nearby and is looking for you; pharmacy calling to inform about a prescription being ready; some store calling to inform that yo…

The solution available on my land line is very simple, and works very well.

Any call from an unfamiliar number get an automated prompt to enter a specific digit. The digit changes, and of course relies on the caller being able to follow this simple instruction. All of this happens before my phone rings.

Once a call does get through (or even if it hasn't), you can review it on the telco web site, and either whitelist or block each calling number. Those that are whitelisted now get through directly, without the prompt, and then continue on as normal.

No cost to the consumer either for this feature, but it isn't on by default.

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