Stop Unwanted Calls and Messages

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 16 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #75 in How-To, #829 overall

How to Stop Cell Phone Calls and Text Messages

Bookmark and Share

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 such 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.

About Unwanted Cell Phone Calls and Text Messages 

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 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.


    • 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.

    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.

  • 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 on e-mail.

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

  • 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.

    • 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 situations. 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 of how to stop unwanted calls and messages.

    Have You Received Unwanted Cell Phone Calls or Text Messages? 

    If So How Did You Deal With It?

    1

    Vote Up
    Vote Down

    I disabled text messaging for a month

    1 point

    2

    Vote Up
    Vote Down

    I hung up and they finally stopped

    1 point

    3

    Vote Up
    Vote Down

    I took text messsaging ability off of my cell phon more...1 point

    Other Topics about Cell Phone Communication Issues 

    featured lens Cell Phones Drive Me Crazy!

    What a great invention - the cell phone. Right? To be able to communicate in places where a phone booth isn't around. Remember the days when everyone had a beeper? If someone wanted to reach you, they dialed your beeper number and you would have to f...

    featured lens Text Messaging Help

    Text messaging is a great communication tool. It allows quick and easy messaging that's less disruptive than a voice call but more immediate than e-mail and it potentially allows for true two-way communication. However, for many people text messagi...

    Have an Old Cell Phone to Sell? 

    We recommend:

    Cell For Cash

    Stop Unwanted Calls and Messages: Was this page helpful? Let us know! 

    Lensmaster

    inkserotica wrote...

    I think some of the problem occurs because phone companies re-use old numbers. Luckily, I don't get too many because I don't have many friends, lol! ;) 5*

    ReplyPosted June 01, 2009

    Lensmaster

    spirituality wrote...

    Great lens - you've been blessed by a squidoo angel :)

    ReplyPosted May 10, 2009

    Lensmaster

    ClassyGals wrote...

    Thanks for the great advice on blocking cell phone numbers, I learned alot!

    ReplyPosted April 06, 2009

    Lensmaster

    AmandaBB wrote...

    Thank you for the great tips! 5*
    Now I just hope that my phone company allows me block calls and see if I have the option to disable text messaging..

    ReplyPosted March 14, 2009

    Lensmaster

    JaguarJulie wrote...

    I sure could have used your help this morning when that crazy 000-000-0000 person kept calling me. And it said 'out of area' too! Weird. And, later today I got hit by twitter followers trying to give me a free laptop or something else. Very strange stuff! Say -- where is that lens you mentioned -- potato salad?

    ReplyPosted March 09, 2009

    Lensmaster

    shane wrote

    in reply to Kat I remember that option, did they do away with it completely?

    Reply Posted March 08, 2009

    Lensmaster

    Kat wrote

    So what happened to the simple BLOCK function that used to be on most phones? You key in a code and then the areacode/number you want to BLOCK. They just get dead air when they call cuz the call does not go thru. SIMPLE and workable for most calls. The 'block unknown' can be used for a more broad filter.
    I had BLOCK functionality from the late 1980s to at least the new millenium (covering several phones) but when they discontinued analog service, you could no longer do this. hmmm...sounds like it would be even simpler to do with digital tech.
    Once again, we are being technologically 'controlled' by some sort of sales force at work.
    scary...why dont they just put chips in our heads and get it over with.

    Reply Posted March 05, 2009

    Lensmaster

    Treasures-By-Brenda wrote...

    Canada has just started a national do not call program and from what I have read it has too many exceptions to be of great use. All unwanted calls bother me but the one that bothers me most is the one that comes regularly to my cell phone the number of which I do not give out to anyone -- just my immediate family, schools, that sort of thing. My cell phone almost never rings. One call a week is unusual. Now, however, I get one call a week from the company that wants to let me know my car warranty is about to expire...even though it expired long ago. I will definitely be looking to see if I can block their calls. It never occurred to me that I could do that. Thanks.

    Brenda

    ReplyPosted March 01, 2009

    Lensmaster

    OhMe wrote...

    Great information and tips. Very well done. I didn't know you could sell old cell phones. I will have to see if we have any around here. I enjoyed the visit. Thank you.

    ReplyPosted February 15, 2009

    Lensmaster

    kris NYC wrote

    5 stars! This is a really professional lens. awesome job! I wrote an article on Cellular Family Plans with some advised that might save people money. When you have a chance check it out. Thanks and keep up a good job!

    Reply Posted February 09, 2009

     
    Next Page
    1 of 2 pages

     

    You can review this site at The Isle of Squid.
    You can also see us at LensMasterWorld.com.

    Photo Credits

    Introduction: Claudecf.
    Preventing Unwanted Calls and Text Messages: timsamoff. (no derivative work allowed)
    Blocking Cell Phone Calls from Unknown Numbers: qwrrty.
    Blocking Text Messages: Nate Steiner.
    Stopping Harassing Cell Phone Calls and Text Messages: Conner 395.

    by mulberry

    If you're trying to figure out how to stop unwanted calls and messages, you're in the right place. Find out what to do on this page. (more)

    Related Topics

    mulberry Recommends...

    Favorited By

    Create a Lens!