How can you block incoming calls from spammers and telemarketers?

It really get me when it uses my primetime minutes!

Under usage controls in my online account at vzw.com one can block up to 20 numbers if the numbers calling are repeats.

Thank you, David. I see that Verizon charges $4.99 a month for this "blocked numbers" service, which they advertise as a means of child protection. I think that's crazy. So call blocking on a cell phone is possible but they charge an arm and a leg for it. It would be nice if they let you block several phone numbers for free before charging you for additional ones.

For Release: April 15, 2005

The Truth about Cell Phones and the National Do Not Call Registry

If you’ve received an e-mail telling you that your cell phone is about to be assaulted by telemarketing calls as a result of a new cell phone number database, rest assured that this is not the case. Telemarketing to cell phone numbers has always been illegal in most cases and will continue to be so. In response to recent e-mail campaigns urging consumers to place their cell phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry, the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission issue this advisory to give consumers the facts.

One e-mail making the rounds says:

“JUST A REMINDER...In a few weeks, cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sale calls. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS... To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888/382-1222. It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years. PASS THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS...”

Another version claims:

“The Federal Trade Commission has set up a "do not call" list. It is called a cell phone registry. To be included on the "do not call" list, you must call from the number you wish to register.”

Here’s what you need to know about the National Do Not Call Registry program:

* FCC regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers. Automated dialers are standard in the industry, so most telemarketers are barred from calling consumers on their cell phones without their consent.

* The federal government does not maintain a national cell phone registry. Personal cell phone users have always been able to add their numbers to the National Do Not Call Registry — the same Registry consumers use to register their land lines — either online at www.donotcall.gov or by calling toll-free 1-888-382-1222 from the telephone number they wish to register. Registrations become effective within 31 days of signing up and are active for five years. There is no cut-off date or deadline for registrations.

* Business-to-business calls are not covered under the Registry.

For More Information

To learn more about the National Do Not Call Registry and the rules that enforce it, visit the FTC at www.ftc.gov or the FCC at www.fcc.gov. For more information about a planned “wireless 411” directory, visit http://www.iq411.com/wireless411/inde....

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish (bilingual counselors are available to take complaints), or to get free information on any of 150 consumer topics, call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357), or use the complaint form at www.ftc.gov. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

Media Contact:

Jen Schwartzman
Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2674
Staff Contact:

Rosemary Kimball
Office of Public Affairs
202-418-0511

@cgladba1 -> Thank you, this is good stuff to know

Whether they are allowed to call you or not, the do.

If you have a land-line phone, in the US, then you can register your number in the do-not-call registry at www.donotcall.gov.

If you have a cell phone, refer to cgladba1's comments above regarding telemarketers and cell phones.

Note that there are exceptions to the rules. Calls from charities, political organizations, and surveyors are exempted from US telemarketing rules, as are companies with whom you have an existing business relationship, and with whom you have agreed to receive phone calls (eg, any company to whom you have provided your phone number).

The blocking service that VZW offers will allow you to block a telemarketing calls like that(from what i remember), however if the number that calls you is done through an auto-dialer using a "spoof" caller id, then only the spoofed number would be blocked. If the same company attempted to call you again with a different spoofed number, that call would not be blocked. If you receive an automated call, and remain on the line until a representative becomes available, let the Rep know that your number is a cell phone, and point out that it is illegal to make automated, pre-recorded calls to cell phones, and the calls should stop from that company. If they dont, you can file a complaint with the FCC, and unless it has changed, you can also contact VZW to report a telemarketing call, and request a credit for the airtime.

Report the offending numbers to the 'Do Not Call' website.

Remember: the "Do Not Call" list does not apply to cell phones.