Already 6 calls?

[internet54]

I just signed up on Monday and I've received 6 calls already. Two have left blank voicemails. Is this normal? I'm sure this is spam, but what can I do to block these unwanted calls? I know the panel allows to block numbers, but will I need to do this 3 times a day just to keep up?

[usa2k]

I send everyone I don't know to VM through Call Routing (https://secure.voipo.com/features/call_routes).
I allow my local exchanges to ring the phone plus certain states/provinces I expect calls from too.

Plus I add name/number entries to Whitelist in the Contact List (https://secure.voipo.com/contacts).
The phone almost never rings :)

[MisterEd]

Does the "whitelist" override the calls that are routed elsewhere.

Example ..... If I had all 908******* (wildcards) calls go to voicemail would 9085551212 ring through if it were in the whitelist?



I send everyone I don't know to VM through Call Routing (https://secure.voipo.com/features/call_routes).
I allow my local exchanges to ring the phone plus certain states/provinces I expect calls from too.

Plus I add name/number entries to Whitelist in the Contact List (https://secure.voipo.com/contacts).
The phone almost never rings :)

[usa2k]

Yes it does for VM.
I've never tested call forward.
If you had 908-555-1234 as white list and 908******* go to 908-555-4567,
I bet 908-555-1234 would not forward unless specifically directed.

I would expect Call Forwarding on the Features (https://secure.voipo.com/features) page to redirect all calls if used.

[stevech]

Anyone know why an incoming call with CID in 800 area code would ever be legit?

[internet54]

I lot of larger companies call using 800 numbers.
So, it could be your health insurance company calling to tell you your bill of $850 for 30minutes of waiting in the doctors office, and 3 minutes of discussion with the doctor is still due... hmm... block them all ;)

[stevech]

My new Droid Incredible - several calls a day from robo-dialers. They're collection agencies. When I call, the agent swears that the bad-guy's dept is linked to my brand new phone number. I think the retailer sold my number to them, and these collection agencies robo-call all new numbers, esp. cellular, because bad guys change their cell service/number frequently. Robo dialers (3) say "If you are xxxx, press 9", where xxx varies.

Otherwise, I cannot conceive of why collection agencies would random-dial - way too low probability that anyone would respond that would prove fruitful to them. I've heard that they prey on mentally deficient people who will just pay $200 to stop the calls, even though it's not their debt.

[MisterEd]

Numbers get recycled all the time. You probably got some deadbeats number. When I worked for Vonage NEW subs were always calling saying they were getting collection calls and other strange calls for other people who had the number previously. The numbers go back in the bucket usually after a preset number of days.

I get LOTS of 800 number spam calls but also plenty of 800 "legit" calls. I was on a call with AT&T about my cell the other day and they had to call me back to troubleshoot. I forgot for the moment that I have all 800/877/888 calls go to my voicemail. They called with an 800 CID. Drove me nuts for a while.