How to Stop Unwanted Mobile Calls
Phone calls you didn't agree to receive and text messages that you don't want to accept are daily hassles. In most cases, cell phone users hope that the harassment discontinues, but many fear that changing their number is the only way to ensure that it does. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), you don't have to change your number, and you have the right to protect yourself from nuisance calls by registering on the national Do Not Call list.
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Instructions
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Preparation
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Listen to the voice messages left by the unwanted caller. This allows you to accurately identify the person or company that is calling you. If various messages are left, verify the messages with the numbers on your caller ID so that you are careful to block only the numbers associated with the unwanted party.
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Save any messages that are particularly harassing. Report anyone who is threatening you or your personal property to the police. Recorded messages and texts will serve as your evidence of harassment.
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Harassing phone calls can be upsetting. State clearly your desire to no longer receive calls the next time the unwanted person calls. Hanging up on someone or answering the phone without speaking are not considered direct requests. It is only after you have told the caller plainly that they are not to call you anymore that future calls are considered as harassment.
Blocking Calls Using the Internet
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Go to the Do Not Call website to register your number on the Do Not Call list. Click on "Register Now," input the necessary information and click "Submit." The establishments have up to 31 days after your number is registered to remove your number from their call logs.
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Log into your wireless carrier's website to block specific numbers.
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Select the "safeguards" option. If after logging in you do not see a category called safeguards, your carrier may not offer this call blocking capability.
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Highlight "spam controls" and then select "call and message blocking."
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Enter up to five telephone numbers that you no longer want to receive calls or text messages from.
Blocking Calls Using Your Phone
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You can block unwanted calls right from your phone. Dial 888-382-1222 to register for the Do Not Call registry by phone. This will affect general calls made to you by non-profit organizations or telemarketers. Be sure to call this number from the phone that you no longer want to receive the calls on.
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Go to the main menu on your phone and select your call records to block calls from unwanted callers that may not be affected by the Do Not Call registry. Scroll to all calls and select. Then hit the options button.
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Highlight "add to block list" and confirm your request.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid signing up to win grand prize sweepstakes that ask you to provide your telephone number. Entering these contests excludes the company and any of its affiliates from the Do Not Call list.
In the case of harassing calls from a past business relationship, it's important to note that under the Established Business Relationship clause of the FCC, these companies may contact you for up to 18 months after your last business transaction. This includes a situation where you may have filed an application for a service or product.
Not all wireless carriers or cellular devices offer the blocking option. If this is the case, you can select a family allowance program which can allow only certain numbers to call. This may be an inconvenience and cost an additional fee, but after you feel the appropriate time has passed, you can remove the filter from your line.
References
- Photo Credit woman with cell phone image by Kathy Burns from Fotolia.com Business woman expresses her anger while on her cell phone. image by Andy Dean from Fotolia.com cell phone image by Alexey Klementiev from Fotolia.com
