DeepHour wrote:
Damned cold callers on the telephone. I've just had yet another one about loft insulation, at least the third one in the past week. These people won't take 'no' for an answer, and I always have to resort to telling them very firmly that I don't want people coming into my house, then putting the phone down. Why can't people get proper jobs any more?
I PM'd DeepHour about this, but thought I'd share, as others might find it useful...
For me, this stopped the cold calls COLD (no pun intended).
Step 1 - Download the iPlum wifi number app
Android version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iplum.androidiOS version available also AFAIK.
You will need to register a unique number, costs about $100 a year, but trust me, it's well worth it). Be aware that the monthly plans cover US and Canada calls only, international calls will require usage credits (perhaps this can be bypassed with an international calling card for those outside the US / Canada?)
Step 2 - Download Fiorenza Francesco's Call Blocker app.
Android version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cuiet.blockCallsThere is an iOS version also.
iPlum has settings that allow your unique wifi number to 'piggyback' your voice carrier line for better reliability. If you are in a healthcare or similar profession with strict privacy laws concerning third parties, you can elect to have HIPAA as well. Set your settings for ringtone / notification, etc. to suit your tastes.
The Call Blocker app has settings that can block any of the following:
Any portion of a number (for those annoying robodialers that cycle the last four, you can tell it to block the first six, meaning prefix and exchange)
All except contacts
All outgoing calls
All incoming calls (ideal for using iPlum as your primary number)
You can even use scheduling to block certain numbers during certain times / days, etc. (for that annoying coworker who always calls you to cover their shift on weekends at the last minute)
The Call Blocker app works well on its own, but for flexibility, I find it's best to use both. iPlum is optional, but for $100 a year ($98ish, close enough) I found that it was just like having an unlisted number. And as long as you don't give that number as contact info for websites, etc., no one will have that number if you don't want them to have it.
What I do, is for websites, etc. that could potentially sell my number, I give them the main voice carrier number and block all incoming calls, giving my iPlum number only to those I want to have it. I haven't gotten a cold call in MONTHS.
One final step -- let your main carrier voicemail fill up (retrieve and save messages, do not delete them -- once the mailbox is full you won't even get voicemail notifications on the 'tainted' number anymore, as the cold callers will no longer be able to leave a message (as they do). And yes, iPlum does include voicemail of its own.
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I don't know how to act my age, I've never been this old before. Which begs the question....
Since ASD means various parts of the brain stop developing at various ages...
Just how the hell am I supposed to know WHICH age to act, anyway?
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)