If there is one thing everyone hates it is prerecorded “robocalls.” Though the Federal Trade Commission has the Do Not Call list, and has brought over a hundred cases closing down robocall operations, these continue to be a problem. I got one ten minutes ago. The FTC recently reported that complaints about robocalls went up 50% in 2016, so we are nowhere near an end to these.
A company called Nomorobo offers a free service to block robocalls, even many by politicians, while still allowing calls about prescription refills and the like. But it does not work with the traditional land line phones most of us grew up with. But many of us now get our phone service through the internet, often packaged with our TV cable system. (Apparently it does not work with Magic Jack).
To get this just go to Nomorobo.com. This company won the FTC award for the best technology to fight robocalls. They do this by compiling a list of known robocalls and not permitting those to ring through to your phone.
But what about calls to my mobile phone?
Nomorobo also offers a service for cell phones, though you have to pay for it. They also offer a paid service that will also block calls on one smartphone for $1.99 per month. In addition, there are a variety of apps, some free, designed to help. This article by a cell phone industry group lists some of these apps.
What about my old home landline?
Sorry, I’m not aware of any effective way to cheaply end calls to landlines, though the Federal Communications Commission has announced that it is working with the phone companies to find a way to end the scourge of robocalls.
