Q: block numbers using wild cards (****)

Hi Builder Dan,

I also had this question. I looked at all of the documentation I could find in the Apple article database, and came up with nothing. At this point, it appears that all you can do is to block specific numbers on your iPhone (go to Recent Calls, find the spam #, hit the Information button, select Block This Caller).

With telemarketing and spam calls on the rise coming to my iPhone 5, I tried to find an app that would allow wild card blocking (specifically, area code blocking). I couldn't find one there.  There was an app called Mr Number that Apple carried for a while, that would allow area code blocking, but it has been removed from the Apple Store.  It only works with Android systems now...

There are other Android 3rd party apps (which Apple does not allow) that will do this. If Apple does not allow more flexible call blocking, either natively on the iPhone or in an app, I may have to consider going to Android. This would be difficult to do, since I'm a lifetime Apple user, from the Mac Plus when it came out. I'm getting several calls a day from the 518 area code, so have to block each one individually.

So I hope this answers your question - let's hope that we hear some news about this soon!

Talk to your Carrier about unsolicited calls/blocking repeat offenders.

Use Google Voice (USA only)

Register all phone numbers on the Do Not Call List.

Also, you can Answer the phone and make the cold-caller feel bad by telling them  its an unsolicited/unwanted call, your number is on the DNC, and you will not hesitate to report them to the FCC accordingly.

Talk to your Carrier about unsolicited calls/blocking repeat offenders.

-- I already know how to block specific numbers with my carrier. This is a one-at-a-time process, though.

Use Google Voice (USA only)

-- Does Google Voice have an option to block area codes? And will Google Voice work on iOS devices? Can you transfer your number to Google Voice?

Register all phone numbers on the Do Not Call List.

-- That appears not to work, since I already have done this, and i've heard from many others that it does not prevent these marketing calls. (I realize that charities are exempted).

Also, you can Answer the phone and make the cold-caller feel bad by telling them  its an unsolicited/unwanted call, your number is on the DNC, and you will not hesitate to report them to the FCC accordingly.

-- I've done that before, to some small effect. However:

      (a) Many calls are robo-calls;

      (b) There are 9,999,999 possible phone numbers coming from Jamaica. That's a lot of

          talking with rude callers.

Change your number if it's getting on your nerves...

Yes, Google voice can port over your number... In a nutshell, you can take your real number to google voice and then get a new number from your carrier.

You can set Do-not Disturb times and exceptions to the rule accordingly.

Downside... no MMS (unless on sprint)

Upside, Free calling/sms to Canada, free VoIP calling over Google Hangouts or Gmail online.

Google Voice app does work on the iPhone

Google Hangouts isn't fully fledged to do SMS yet, work in progress.

Seems to be a lot of effort just to avoid calls from Antigua, Dominica, Grenada: get a new number, go through the process of learning how to use Google Voice. I'm just a plain vanilla guy, not a computer aficionado. I don't feel that I should complicate my phone setup just because some scammer from Antigua (or posing as such) is tele-spamming me.

Why can't Apple or Verizon simply supply an area code block? Is there some kind of taboo about doing so? Would it be bad for their business plan? How about a non-US area code block? I'm a customer asking for a simple convenience.

I've been reading the Verizon customer posts and they're complaining about this very problem, sometimes quite vehemently.  E.g., area code 268 - Antigua. They are quite frustrated. Just a simple area code block would fix this.

I'll bet that complaining about this problem will go viral. At that point something will be done.

Apple can not block anything on the carrier's network.

It's up to the carrier to do so or allow it.

Call blocking in iOS does not actually block the call, it sends the caller to voicemail.

I have also had this concern. I have received two calls recently (2-2014) from Antigua/Barbuda - two different numbers, one ending in 0030, the other in 0076. I was told by a friend that accidently returning the call could lead to me being charged for the call and that the scammers making the original call somehow profit by this. I have no interest in receiving any calls from this country. An online chat suggestion from support was to contact the carrier (AT&T) and see what they could do. I know that by tapping on the " i " to the right of the number, brings up info on the number and scrolling to the bottom, one can select to block that call. It would really be nice of apple to revise the blocking feature it currently has to include "wild cards" 555-555* so that all numbers with that prefix would be blocked - just saying

This has gotten so bad that Forbes just published an article about this.  There is a list of area codes to avoid at the bottom of the article.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/josephsteinberg/2014/02/01/dont-return-calls-from-th ese-area-codes-its-a-scam/

I Think this is a perfectly legitimate question. Forums would be a lot more affective if people who don't know the answers to the questions posted would not comment, answer a question with a question, suggest getting a new number or other suggestions. My personal favorite is, "why would you want to do that?"

Wild card filtering of phone calls, messages or email would be great.

imagine being able to block an entire range of IP addresses, area codes, all *.**** or anything else one could imagine. I would welcome such a tool!

I Would also welcome the ability to respond with a text saying something like:

NOTICE PERSONAL CELL PHONE  Be aware that the number: (111) 222-3456 is a private mobile phone.   I do not accept unsolicited calls from: Telemarketers Unidentified Callers  Private Callers Blocked Numbers Unidentified or Out of Area Numbers.

THese phones belongs to each of us. We pay for the service and should have the right to block anyone we choose. We all need the ability to minimize distractions in our daily lives.

I know I would appreciate Apple adding these type tools to their devices.

Thanks!

BTechDesign wrote:

 

I Think this is a perfectly legitimate question. Forums would be a lot more affective if people who don't know the answers to the questions posted would not comment, answer a question with a question, suggest getting a new number or other suggestions. My personal favorite is, "why would you want to do that?"

I don't believe anyone in this thread suggested it was not a legitimate question, did they?  Sometimes we ask "Why do you want to do that?" because knowing the answer helps us understand or suggest a better work around. But, I don't see that anyone asked that in this thread.

The answer to the OP's question is "No, you can't do that". Castigating volunteers for trying to offer additional suggestions that may help given that the OP cannot do what they want, is just a little rude.

 

 

I know I would appreciate Apple adding these type tools to their devices.

Apple doesn't read here. If you want them to know what you would like, use the feedback page:

http://www.apple.com/feedback

You do have the option of responding to calls with a message on the iPhone. I'm not sure if all of your suggested verbiage would fit as I've never tried to put anything that long in. But you could experiment. Settings>Phone>Respond with Text

You can offer feedback to Apple regarding this issue here: http://www.apple.com/feedback/