Some New Options to Block Telemarketing Calls

Crusoe says "Don't give scammers your credit card" 

For some reason Tom gets a lot more telemarketing calls than I do, and it's really irritating!

Fortunately, phone companies and APP makers realized it's a problem and have now offered NEW solutions. Of course the first stop should always be listing your number on the Do Not Call List.

HOW TO GET ON THE DO NOT CALL LIST
You can register your numbers on the national Do Not Call list by phone or on the Internet at no cost.
To register via the Internet, go to www.donotcall.gov 
To register by phone, call 1-888-382-1222 (voice) or 1-866-290-4236 (TTY). You must call from the phone number you wish to register.

PHONE COMPANY HELP
1) T-Mobile has a Scam ID and Scam Block program free for all postpaid customers. A program with enhanced services is available for $4 a month.
Scam ID automatically identifies known nuisance callers when your phone rings; you don’t have to install or sign up for anything. To turn on Scam Block, dial #ONB# (#662#) from your T-Mobile phone.
2) Verizon Wireless’ Caller Name ID program costs $2.99 a month and identifies suspected junk calls and lets you block or report those numbers.
3) AT&T offers its Call Protect and Mobile Security services free on all postpaid lines.
4) Sprint offers a Premium Caller ID service for $2.99 a month that identifies phone numbers not in your contact list. It flags robocalls and spammers and assigns a “threat level” to give you an indication of how suspect the call might be. Sprint doesn’t automatically block any calls; you could say it strongly suggests you might not want to answer the phone sometimes.

ROBOCALL BLOCKS WITH NEW APP - There are third-party apps that can help reduce calls.
1) Nomorobo gets high praise from many users, including Consumer Reports. It’s a cloud-based service that hangs up on or blocks illegal robocalls or telemarketer calls.
2) Robokiller promises a 90 percent reduction in the number of unwanted calls you get within the first 30 days of service and sweetens the pot with this: Revenge against those who make these calls. It uses answer bots with realistic recorded conversational lines to engage the scammer and presumably tie up and waste scammers’ time