Nomorobo robocall blocking

 

There is a free service available that blocks robocalls to your landline telephone in the US - https://www.nomorobo.com/

Annoying calls are increasing every day. The Federal Do Not Call Registry is useless. Telemarketers are calling over and over even though they have been told we are not interested. Scammers are using robocall technology. Worse, these people are using Caller ID Spoofing so you can't block their numbers.

Nomorobo works with VOIP landlines, not with POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service), not with a copper wire connection. If you get phone service from your TV or internet provider, Nomorobo will work.

Nomorobo works by using the calling feature "simultaneous ring." Nomorobo's server has a list of known robocallers. When they call you, the Nomorobo server is also receiving the call and comparing the call with the list. If it is a positive match, after one ring, Nomorobo answers and hangs up. So if your phone rings once, Nomorobo has done its job once again!

I have used Nomorobo on my landline for about a year and it has been invaluable. I have been waiting for the same thing for my cell phone. This has not happened because "simultaneous ring" has not been offered by the mobile carriers. The basic reason is because Congress has not passed a law requiring them to offer it!

Nomorobo has just announced that they have found a way around this problem. This new service will cost $5- per month and it is only for cell phones. There is now a waiting list for this service and I just signed up.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2015/07/robocall...

https://consumerist.com/2016/06/20/nomorobo-announces-5month...

dobs108 smile

Mary started this!

This is what Mary said in another thread about a phone scammer:

mgarledge wrote:

...I tried don't have a computer and the man said yes "Mary" you do.....
I did not tell him my name, they have all the information.
I tell them I work at office and ask them what office they work in, I say I sold my Windows PC and bought an Apple. I have tried everything. They keep calling with different phone numbers. The last two times when I hear the voice of the man that calls the most I say "O, hello, I recognice your voice, you are the man who helped me with my computer." He then hangs up without a word.

I block each number they call from but they just change it.

I am finding that more and more (even real calls) are calling people on the Do Not Call List. Apparently the Do Not Call List means nothing anymore as people can make their number look like anything they want. I am fighting a loosing battle...

My experience with nomorobo

Nomorobo is very good. Not only does it block sales and scam calls, it also blocks political calls. We used to get 5-7 calls a DAY before we went to Nomorobo. After going to Nomorobo, the calls went down to one or two a day.

We have Time Warner Cable cable and phone service, and if an unwanted phone number slips through Nomorobo I block that particular number through TWC. Now, maybe one call a week still slips through which we'll block through TWC. Problem solved.

Phil

--
"No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won't make it worse."

I tried to set this up,

I tried to set this up, followed the email link they sent, then tried to follow along but the tree didn't look like what they expected it to look like (follow along screenshots), different names and one I couldn't find at all. I gave up.

--
. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Zumo 550, Zumo 450, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .

set up

The key is to set up "simultaneous ring" with your telephone service provider. For Verizon Fios, this is done on their website.

Nomorobo provides you with their own special telephone number, for their server, for calls to ring at, at the same time they ring at your house. I entered this telephone number on the Verizon site when I activated the Verizon calling feature "simultaneous ring."

dobs108 smile

So, I get blamed for everything

dobs108 wrote:

This is what Mary said in another thread about a phone scammer:

mgarledge wrote:

...I tried don't have a computer and the man said yes "Mary" you do.....
I did not tell him my name, they have all the information.
I tell them I work at office and ask them what office they work in, I say I sold my Windows PC and bought an Apple. I have tried everything. They keep calling with different phone numbers. The last two times when I hear the voice of the man that calls the most I say "O, hello, I recognice your voice, you are the man who helped me with my computer." He then hangs up without a word.

I block each number they call from but they just change it.

I am finding that more and more (even real calls) are calling people on the Do Not Call List. Apparently the Do Not Call List means nothing anymore as people can make their number look like anything they want. I am fighting a loosing battle...

OK, maybe I should get blamed for everything. smile

--
Mary, Nuvi 2450, Garmin Viago, Honda Navigation, Nuvi 750 (gave to son)

that's right!

Thank you, Mary!

dobs108 smile

Must be an American thing !

My "Landline" has been VOIP (MagicJack) for at least 6 years now and I do not get any robo calls on it. My number is on the "Do not call list". My cell phone is on the list too, no robo calls.

--
Nuvi 2797LMT, DriveSmart 50 LMT-HD, Using Windows 10. DashCam A108C with GPS.

We are being targeted

In certain areas of the US we are being targeted with robocalls, because, like Willy Sutton said, "That's where the money is." This is in the perception of people in other countries who are targeting entire postal codes. They believe that everybody there is rich.

dobs108 rolleyes

Absoloutly!

mgarledge wrote:

OK, maybe I should get blamed for everything. smile

And besides, the dog did it or wuz it Winderz 10?

--
Never argue with a pig. It makes you look foolish and it anoys the hell out of the pig!

Here's the Time Warner site

dobs108 wrote:

The key is to set up "simultaneous ring" with your telephone service provider. For Verizon Fios, this is done on their website...

dobs108 smile

I don't know how widespread TWC service is, but this is their site to both choose to use Nomorobo and also to enter any other numbers you want blocked. It goes without saying that you need TWC telephone service.

https://login.timewarnercable.com/passwordhelp/signin.aspx?T...

On the next screen, select "settings."

On the next screen, click "edit" under the "Peace and Quiet" section.

Phil

--
"No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won't make it worse."

Thanks Phil!

Thanks for the TWC site.

dobs108 smile

Spoofed numbers.

I am curious how this system would be able to prevent calls from spoofed numbers any better than any other call blocking technology. Don't they still have to block based on the published caller ID? If so it seems they would have the same problem as other call blocking systems with spoofed numbers and scammers constantly changing the caller ID to a different number.

The March of Dimes scammers are some of the worst I have found... calling several times a day with constantly changing numbers. When you look these numbers up on the "800 Notes" web site you find that most of these calls do not originate from the real MOD organization.

--
Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon

this is not explained

Robocallers are certainly capable of caller ID spoofing. In fact, they depend on it. But Nomorobo has some method of determining the real identity of the caller to compare with their list of known robocallers. The method they use is not explained. They must have to keep this secret or the robocallers would overcome it.

The Federal Trade Commission held a competition to develop robocall-blocking technology. Nomorobo won that competition!

On my landline, there are no robocalls. I have not had any calls from the March of Dimes although I have contributed to other charities. From US Postal Service I receive several pounds of solicitations from charities every day.

dobs108 smile

Cardholder services

The one most prolific robocaller in my experience is "Cardholder Services." Prior to signing up with Nomorobo, we received many calls on my landline. It made no difference if we said we were not interested.

One day I threw all caution to the winds and had a conversation with Cardholder Services. I found out the rep was calling from India, I forget what city. I shouted for them to stop calling me and used an Indian insult. Use my contact page and I will tell you which one! He said my wife is very beautiful and he wants to ____ her.

They still called several times a day. We blocked their calls using the Verizon website until we realized they were spoofing the caller ID, so blocking through Verizon was useless. Nomorobo was a godsend! Not one more call from Cardholder Services! (on the landline)

On my cell phone Cardholder Services is calling so often I do not answer the phone! That is why the new cell service from Nomorobo is so important!

dobs108 mad

Do not call list

Based on the comments .Do you feel this is better then National Do Not Call Registry that allows you to make a complaint ? https://www.donotcall.gov/ ,Have used it for years and have all phonesregistered including cell phones. Some calls do get through.

--
Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.

Nomorobo is better

charlesd45 wrote:

Based on the comments .Do you feel this is better then National Do Not Call Registry that allows you to make a complaint ? https://www.donotcall.gov/

I think that for the most part, the national Do Not Call Registry has been pretty much discredited. The bad guy's technology has outpaced the ability of the registry to be at all effective. The way competing technologies leapfrog each other, at least for the moment Nomoromo seems to be considerably ahead of the other side.

Phil

--
"No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won't make it worse."

Security implications

And, 'Nomorobo' or whomever they are, now knows exactly who calls you, and the frequency of those calls.

Not hard to cross reference who called you, and build an association list. Add to that emails, and other data.

Technology is wonderful, except when it's not. I'll pass on that type of service.

--
nüvi 3790T | Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, will make violent revolution inevitable ~ JFK

T-Lock

I use the T-Lock call blocker ($39). It works pretty well. I have had it for about 18 months and have well over 250 numbers blocked, but still have to add 2 or 3 new numbers every week. I never answer a call from an unknown number. I figure they can leave a message on my voice mail if they really want to talk to me. If they don't leave a message, they get blocked. It is quite easy to scroll through the recent call log on the T-Lock and block the numbers that I don't recognize. Once a number is blocked, if they call again, it rings once then hangs up. I probably get 10 blocked calls per day on average. So it is working pretty well for me. It is a landline only device, won't work with cell phones. I have Mediacom cable phone service (through my cable modem) which is VOIP based, and the T-Lock works great with it.

https://www.amazon.com/T-lock-Call-Blocker-Version-5-0/dp/B0...

--
Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon

do not call list

charlesd45 wrote:

Based on the comments .Do you feel this is better then National Do Not Call Registry that allows you to make a complaint ? https://www.donotcall.gov/ ,Have used it for years and have all phonesregistered including cell phones. Some calls do get through.

I have been on the do not call list since it started, with the landline and the cell. It didn't stop any of the callers. To make a complaint to the government, the phone number, name, and address of the company making the calls are needed. Due to caller ID spoofing, that is not possible. Callers do not cooperate by giving out the company contact info.

For the most part, these callers are not telemarketers trying to sell a product. They are criminals running a scam - stealing from us. Mary was contacted by Microsoft. They knew her name and that she had a virus on the PC. For a small fee, the virus would be removed. Afterward, they have her credit card number. The same with me and Cardholder Services - it is a criminal enterprise run in another country. They don't have any worries about the do not call list.

dobs108 smile

FTC shut down cardholder services?

The FTC (US Federal Trade Commission) operates the Do Not Call Registry. This press release says that in 2012 they prosecuted the companies behind Cardholder Services who were located in the US and put them out of business.

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2012/11/ftc-l...

Today Cardholder Services is apparently still in business and calling me from India. Whether the principals are actually in the US is unknown. The FTC has no jurisdiction in other countries.

If the FTC could possibly succeed in shutting down today's Cardholder Services, there are 100 others like it ready to take over.

Living on Long Island, I keep my recycle bin topped off too.

dobs108 wrote:

...From US Postal Service I receive several pounds of solicitations from charities every day.

dobs108 smile

--
Striving to make the NYC Metro area project the best.

I like nomorobo

I have been using it for well over a year now and think that it works pretty well, only a few calls slip by. My carrier is VOIPO.

Sometimes, it is fun time

dobs108 wrote:

One day I threw all caution to the winds and had a conversation with Cardholder Services. I found out the rep was calling from India, I forget what city. I shouted for them to stop calling me and used an Indian insult. Use my contact page and I will tell you which one! He said my wife is very beautiful and he wants to ____ her.

Sometimes I'm bored and will have a talk with these people. As with the computer scammers, I do have the ability to make them mad enough through stringing them along long enough through conversation leading them to think they are getting my personal information and will ultimately access to my bank account. Read that sentence and see what I mean. Kind of wordy and doesn't mean a thing.

Then they want to do to my wife what wanted to do yours. I really make them mad and probably upset their applecart and religion when I say my wife is a man (not true, I'm married to a fine lady). This really bothers them for some reason. Or I'll tell them I'm a goat herder and that's where I get my love life. Or cattle or wherever I think will upset them the most.

They want to bother me, I will reciprocate. This is how I have my fun with some of these callers. Maybe there is something wrong with me.

--
Curiosity is the acquisition of knowledge. And the death of cats.

Thanks very much for this

Thanks very much for this information. I will sign up now!

--
an94

Back in the day, long before

Back in the day, long before the dnc list was started, what I used to do was record the "number no longer in service" sit tones at the beginning of my voice mail.
Most of the automated systems are set pick up these tones and then cancel the call. This also flagged the number as no longer in service which in turn removed it from the auto dialers database. And since these databases are bough, sold, and updated constantly, your number gets removed from everything eventually. Within a week or so, all spam calls were gone. Might still be worth a shot.

I had a little gadget that

I had a little gadget that plugged into the phone line that sent those tones on the first ring. For a while there were a lot of hang-ups after one ring then the number of calls dropped. That device died after about 5 years and I didn't need it. Now it would be nice to have one again.

--
d

Well this counts me out!

This is the message on Nomorobo

" Unfortunately, Nomorobo is not available on traditional analog landlines or wireless phones at this time."

--
Mary, Nuvi 2450, Garmin Viago, Honda Navigation, Nuvi 750 (gave to son)

SIT tone

Check out this website. It has directions on how to use the SIT tone and near the bottom right is a download link.
I use a tiny voice recorder to do that with but if your computer is close enough to the phone you just play back the sound on it.

Link: http://privatecitizen.com/sit.html

I use it and maybe that's why I don't get any SPAM calls on my line !

--
Nuvi 2797LMT, DriveSmart 50 LMT-HD, Using Windows 10. DashCam A108C with GPS.

Annoying calls

I must get 5 or 6 a day.... even get some on my cell phone. I block them but you are right they just change to a different number. Gov't do not call list obviously does not work at all...

--
Bobby....Garmin 2450LM

I remember that - didn't

I remember that - didn't have one, but knew a few who did. All had the same results - no spam calls after about a week.

That's a good idea

Melaqueman wrote:

Check out this website. It has directions on how to use the SIT tone and near the bottom right is a download link.
I use a tiny voice recorder to do that with but if your computer is close enough to the phone you just play back the sound on it.

Link: http://privatecitizen.com/sit.html

I use it and maybe that's why I don't get any SPAM calls on my line !

Very good idea. Thanks

--
Mary, Nuvi 2450, Garmin Viago, Honda Navigation, Nuvi 750 (gave to son)

What Of The Government

farrissr wrote:

I must get 5 or 6 a day.... even get some on my cell phone. I block them but you are right they just change to a different number. Gov't do not call list obviously does not work at all...

Works?

Why should we have ever expected the DNC list to have ever worked?

--
Never argue with a pig. It makes you look foolish and it anoys the hell out of the pig!

.

Google voice works far better than any DNC list ever did.

No personal experience, but

I knew someone who used the "Not in service" tone at the beginning of his answering machine response. He claimed that it worked great, and the number of calls to his phone also dropped dramatically after a couple of weeks.

- Tom -

--
XXL540, GO LIVE 1535, GO 620

Microsoft tech support scam

Mr. Number

In addition to the do not call list (which only blocks law abiding telemarketers), I use an app called Mr. Number on my Android cell phone. Since installing it, I have not received a single robo-call. Last week I opened the app and saw the list of blocked calls and the reason for blocking. It was quite a list!

Mention was made of the IOS

Mention was made of the IOS Blocker WhoApp. I downloaded and installed it. It worked as advertised. What wasn't advertised is that WhoApp replaces your Voice Mail with their own, and after one free message charges a fee for any VM messages it records for you. WhoApp failed to make any mention of the extra charges.

--
Frank DriveSmart55 37.322760, -79.511267

I'm Going to Try Nomorobo

I just set it up on my Comcast Xfinity number. It shouldn't take long to see how well it works, as I get several of these calls each day.

I started using Nomorobo a couple weeks ago

I am somewhat concerned about them having a list of my callers but the robocalls were getting ridiculously annoying. So far, it seems to be working well...the only issue is that some of the calls get through and will ring twice before nmr knocks them out. Now, I just wait and see if there's a third ring...unless I know the number.

--
"You can't get there from here"

of couese

You could always announce "This line is being recorded for quality and training and so I can litigate your a$$ off for anything you say that isn't true!"

--
Never argue with a pig. It makes you look foolish and it anoys the hell out of the pig!