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Stop Unwanted Calls and Messages

mulberry by mulberry
Last updated: 02/12/2012

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How to Stop Unwanted Calls and Text Messages on Your Cell Phone

Cell phones are very handy communications tools and we keep them with us nearly all of the time. This becomes a problem when unwanted calls and messages occur. Such communication can be frustrating as well as expensive since we pay to receive even unsolicited messages and calls.

If you want to stop unwanted calls and messages, you've come to the right place. From irritating spam to frightening harrassment, some calls need to stop. This page will discuss some of the options.

Contents at a Glance

About Unwanted Cell Phone Calls and Text...
Preventing Unwanted Calls and Text Messa...
Learn More (or Laugh) About Spam
Blocking Cell Phone Calls from Unknown N...
Learn More About Google Voice
Get Tips from Other Users about Blocking...

Unwanted calls and text messages can come in the form of either SPAM or harrassment. SPAM is most common and is more easily dealt with but harassing calls are more serious and sometimes require more radical action.

This page will review the precautions you should take to prevent unwanted communications and the actions you can implement to eliminate an existing problem.

Preventing Unwanted Calls and Text Messages

There are steps that you can take to try to stop unwanted calls and messages before they even happen. Some of the unwanted calls and messages from businesses, marketers, or spammers are particularly easy to prevent.

Keep your cell phone number private. Provide it only to those individuals you trust.

Be aware of the privacy policy of any business before you provide your cell phone number. Providing it may not only allow them to contact you with additional offers but in some instances, they will sell your information for others to use. Keep this in mind even in the non-internet world.

Be particularly wary of downloads to your cell phone. Your cell phone number is then available to this company and it's especially critical to use these online services only if they are a trusted site.

Look for check boxes indicating that you are giving permission for further marketing contacts when you sign up for anything online; whether you are making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or requesting membership in something. If such additional messages or calls would be unwanted, uncheck the box, or if preferred, provide an e-mail address only.

Signing up for the "Do Not Call Registry" should be your first step if you want to stop unwanted calls and messages. You can register your number at DoNotCall.gov.

Never open any unwanted text messages or respond to them in any way. Either delete them or forward them to the FTC at spam@uce.gov.

Work to prevent phishing operations from discovering your e-mail address and number. Use an e-mail address that would be hard to guess, use both letters and numbers in it.

Be sure all members of your family are aware of these precautions so that they don't accidently agree to unwanted calls and messages or provide your contact information to unreliable sources.

Learn More (or Laugh) About Spam

Blocking Cell Phone Calls from Unknown Numbers

Many spammers call from "private" numbers and other individuals may block their number as well so that it can't be identified. There are a few options available to help eliminate the frustration of such calls.

Many modern cell phones allow the user to program their phone to block unknown and private calls which will go a long way in reducing unwanted calls and messages. Reading through the owner's manual will reveal how this can be accomplished as well as how to activate any webmail filter.

Check your cell phone company's website. It often allows you to set up filters as well, to help eliminate unknown callers and spam. Some even allow you to block roaming and/or international calls to eliminate such excessive charges.

Another option is to program the cell phone to have all private/unknown calls assigned a silent ringtone so that it goes unanswered and instead ends up on voice mail where the user can later delete it just as they do e-mail delivered to their spam folder.

Many unwanted calls come from blocked or restricted numbers. There is now a service that can identify such callers to help you deal with them. TrapCall can do this within seconds for a fee.

Spam filters are also available. Some are even free such as Spambayes and Mailwasher.

A final option is to have all calls which originate from callers not on your contact list to roll to voicemail. Again, you can delete any unwanted calls later.

If the above efforts aren't satisfactory there is software available to help users blacklist numbers. This Windows Application Call/SMS Blocker is an example.

Using Google Voice may be an option for blocking both unknown and known unwanted callers. Using a single Google Voice number to direct your calls to your cell phone, work phone, or home phone can provide a number of advantages but blocking unwanted calls is a major one.

Learn More About Google Voice

To Block Unwanted Calls

What is Google Voice?: by GoogleVoice | video info

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Get Tips from Other Users about Blocking Calls

You are not alone in the fight to stop unwanted calls and messages; many consumers before you have fought the same fight. Sometimes inquiring with other users of a service can produce a quick and useful response that will get you on your way.

For example, this Wireless Advisor Forum offers a section of each of the major providers and Mobiledia has a Verizon Wireless specific forum. The AT&T User Forum is useful and this T-Mobile forum can also help provide answers. This page offers a Sprint Users Forum to ask and answer questions. These are only a few of the options; a search online can reveal a number of other sites which can prove useful.

Blocking Text Messages

There are a few things you can do if you are receiving unwanted text messages.

Disable text messaging altogether.

Go to the cell phone company's website to set up your preferences. You can often block certain domains or eliminate messages originating from the internet which is where most spam is generated.

Call your cell phone company to make them aware of the situation. See if they can block a specific number/develop a block list and have them reverse any charges.

If the above suggestions don't achieve the desired results consider additional software to block messages such as that mentioned in the previous section. Text Guard is a newer example of a downloadable program that reportedly does this.

Use the Tools Your Cell Phone Company Provides to Block Messages

These handy links can get you started

Verizon Wireless: Set up Text Blocking through this page. Text Blocking is about 2/3 the way down the list.
AT&T: Set up your preferences for allowing and blocking text messages.
T-Mobile: This page explains what messages you can block and how to do it when using T-Mobile service.
Sprint: This page provides specific instructions on how to block messages from specific numbers, e-mail addresses, and domains.

Stopping Harassing Cell Phone Calls and Text Messages

Spammers and persistent marketers are not the only source of unwanted calls and messages. Other individuals may choose to harrass you. Harassing another individual via their cell phone is illegal. If you've asked a caller to stop, ignored them, and still receive calls or messages, you should report it to your cellular company.

Your company can often assist in getting a caller blocked or, if necessary help track the caller. The police should also be notified for your safety. Keeping a record of the dates, times, and a description of any call is advisable for assisting in any investigation or prosecution.

In some cirumstances it is advisable to change your cell phone number.

This article on Stalking and Harassment provides more tips on how to handle the situation. This Privacy Rights article defines harassment, offers links to cyberstalking laws, and provides additional tips.

Kids and Harassing Cell Phone Calls and Text Messages

Young children who are given a cell phone often have one that doesn't connect to the internet and thus the risk of spam is greatly reduced. In addition, the phones for young kids often allow calls only from those programmed into their contact list reducing the likelihood of bullying as well other unwanted calls and messages.

However, when more sophisticated phones enter the picture, risks increase. Kids need to be well versed in how to handle any inappropriate messages and calls and should be advised of some of the "rules" listed above for starters.

See Best Cell Phones for Kids for phone recommendations, plans that can help protect them, and additional reading on the topic of how to stop unwanted calls and messages.

Learn About Cyber Bullying

Have You Received Unwanted Cell Phone Calls or Text Messages?

If So How Did You Deal With It?

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I hung up and they finally stopped

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I took text messsaging ability off of my cell phon more...2 points

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I set the pesky number in my phone book and assign it a silent ringtone.

2 points

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I disabled text messaging for a month

1 point

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If I don't see a number (restricted or unavailable more...1 point

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Reader Suggested Software for Blocking Calls and Messages

Just a few items which readers have recommended. We have not tested these out.

MagiCall: Can block unwanted calls and SMS messages.
SMS Blocker: Blocks unwanted text/SPAM messages.