Many of us can't even think of living without a cell phone, but what to do with unwanted calls? Even if you are doing your best to keep your number private, annoying phone calls from telemarketers and those who get the wrong number are a difficult reality to stem. These can be really annoying, especially if you're worried that your number has been put on a list you haven't signed up for. Depending on the type of mobile phone you have, there are several ways to block or prevent these calls from reaching you.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Block Calls on an Android Phone or iPhone
Step 1. Download a call blocking application from the Play Store
Those using an Android device have a number of tools at their disposal to get rid of unwanted calls through apps, including:
- Call Filter, a very popular call blocking system which, among other things, is free.
- DroidBlock, this is also a free Android application that gets rid of unwanted phone calls.
- Remember that the effectiveness of these call blocking systems is quite variable and is not always 100%.
Step 2. Have spam calls go directly to voicemail
Some Android phones have this feature that allows you to check your voicemail and identify unwanted and spam calls you want to block. To block a harassing number directly:
- Add the unwanted number to your contacts directory.
- Press the Menu key and select Options.
- Activate the “Incoming calls / Route calls to voicemail” function.
- Add any other spammer numbers to the contact you created in your address book and they will automatically be sent to voicemail. After many ignored calls, hopefully those who call will stop harassing you.
- If you want to block calls from a certain number without adding it to your contacts directory, you can install a third-party application such as Mr. Number. This is a free application for Android that you can download from the Play Store.
Step 3. Proceed to jailbreak your iPhone to enable a call blocking tool
This is a pretty simple procedure to do and you know it doesn't violate any laws; however, you will lose the Apple warranty.
Once the mobile has been unlocked, you can download and install iBlacklist. This application allows you to select the numbers you want to block or add them manually to the "black list"
Method 2 of 3: Block Calls on All Phones
Step 1. Use Google Voice
Blocking calls with this tool is pretty straightforward, as the program allows you to send spam calls directly to voicemail, treat them all as unwanted, or block them completely. To block unwanted calls with Google Voice:
- Log into your Google Voice account.
- Find the call you want to block or the voicemail message that originated from the spam phone call.
- Select the checkbox next to the call or voicemail message.
- Click the "More" button located below the call.
- Choose "Block Caller".
- If you don't have a Google Voice account, you can easily create one.
- You don't need to change your number to set up a Google Voice account that blocks calls, as you can make it active only as a voicemail.
Step 2. Purchase TrapCall
This is a reasonably priced service that blacklists any harassing callers, clears the number of blocked calls so you always know who's calling you, and is compatible with all mobile phones.
- TrapCall also records and deletes unwanted SMS and calls.
- With $ 5 (about € 4) per month you can get the basic TrapCall service which guarantees that unwanted and spam calls do not reach your number.
Method 3 of 3: Contact Your Manager and Make a Complaint
Step 1. Tell your carrier that you are getting a lot of advertising and harassing calls
He should make every effort to ensure the security of your phone number so that you are not disturbed by these types of calls.
- Your carrier should be able to offer you call blocking tools for free, and depending on the carrier, this service may be part of a Parental Controls package.
- Tim provides a package called TIM Protect with an average cost of € 3 per month which also guarantees internet data protection.
- Vodafone provides a secure line package; visit the manager's website for more information.
- Wind also makes protection software available to its customers.
- Check your manager's website for more details.
Step 2. Make a complaint to the Privacy Guarantor
If the calls are really aggressive or harassing, consider filing a complaint with this body to have your privacy rights protected. In extreme cases, you can also contact the police. Remember that:
- Anyone who makes a commercial call to you must provide you with their name, the name of the person or company on whose behalf they are calling, a number and an address to contact that person or company.
- Phone calls before 8 am and after 9 pm are considered harassing.
- The telemarketers, during the conversation with you, must immediately comply with your request not to be called.
- In some countries, such as the United States, there is a national service to prevent these spam calls from reaching your phone number.
Step 3. Ask the telemarketing company to have your sensitive data and therefore also your telephone number deleted from their records
You can do this by sending a registered letter or an email to the company's privacy officer.
- The company is obliged to provide you with the address and name you can contact. Some companies allow you to do this by simply logging into their website, where you can communicate your willingness to be struck off their lists.
- You can do an online search to find more details about the company that is calling you and be able to contact them in this way.
- If the company ignores your request, write a complaint to the Privacy Guarantor or make a complaint to the Postal Police.
- You will need to prove that the company received your request but ignored it, that its calls are harassing and ongoing, before 8 am or after 9 pm, that you have never authorized the company to call or send you messages of text. The company that does not respect your right to privacy is subject to heavy penalties.
- Remember to take note of the calling number, the time at which you receive the call and all the useful details to proceed with the report or the complaint.
Advice
- Try to keep your mobile number private as much as possible.
- Never reply to a call or SMS from an anonymous number. This way you confirm that your number is active, that you are using it and the one who calls you will probably continue to annoy you.
