Call Blocking Devices

Switch to VOIP using a provider with good call management features, or use Google Voice.  No need for a computer to be in the loop.

Start here: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=obi

Google Voice is undoubtably using their very accurate voice to text algorithm as an information gathering tool, in line with virtually everything else they do and are the best at - using all of us as marketing robots and effectively chipping away at what is left of our right to privacy while their stock price soars and their profits multiply. I see Google Voice as more of an intrusion to privacy than any present telemarketer. Don't get me wrong, I HATE TELEMARKETERS. I just can't picture people who are concerned with telemarketers becoming users of Google Voice. Take a look at what Mr. Zuckerberg is up to these days, also!

First, I understand your concern, and would point out that it was only one of my suggestions.

That said, let me share my experience with it. I was an early user (back when they were absorbing RingCentral and Gizmo and it was available by invitation.) So I have logged a lot of time with it.

Like you, I had reservations. So I read the privacy policies (which were fine) and proceeded with caution. If you look under the settings for "Voicemail & Text", you will find that transcription can be disabled. In truth, it works so badly, it might be better to leave it on, unless you are afraid that they will find out that your spouse left a message saying, "I half to word late, can you just put my stupor in the referee until I get hoed?". 

And I can also tell you that after years of use, I have seen absolutely no sign that the information stored as a result of this account has been misused.

If you are concerned about using Google Voice, then you should probably not use an Android phone, as the information collected by Google through this platform is even greater. Likewise for Android Tablets, especially the Kindle Fire, which sickeningly boasts of "system level integration with Facebook".

Don't misunderstand, I am as unhappy as you are about all the tracking and data mining which goes on. I do a lot of things in an effort to limit the amount of activities which are captured. But the more you work to limit these things, the more you understand how ubiquitous, pervasive, and perseveratively invasive these things are. You can't use the Internet with about being tracked.

My take is this:

If you use any sort of Android device, then you definitely aren't going to do yourself any more harm by using Google Voice.

If you use other Google services, you aren't digging the hole much deeper with GV.

If you are using an IOS platform device, you are probably leaking a similar amount of information to Apple.

I consider Google's published privacy policy to be semi-trustworthy. In other words, they may stretch things, but they are reasonably unlikely to outright ignore their policy. In any case, it is worth a read.

As an aside, if someone uses Facebook, then they should probably also publish their diary, mental and physical health records, financial records, and a log of their darkest impulses on the web, as well as having a camera crew follow them around and stream all of their activities 24/7. Facebook users should not worry about Google Voice, they should worry about Facebook.

Bottom line, if you are using every privacy browser extension made, refuse to enable javascript, never use any site which requires personal information, change IP addresses two or three times a day or use a proxy, and only make phone calls from a pay phone, then you probably shouldn't use Google Voice. The rest of us are already pretty well done for, and have little to lose as long as Google is more or less compliant with their own policies.

Other than that, you can use my preferred (but not free) option of VOIP service.

Personally, I have VOIP (multiple lines and providers), GV, I carry an Android phone (Verizon), Android tablet, iPhone (ATT&T), and iPad. I am also registered with the DNC registry. None of these things have caused me any problems. YMMV.

How do these call blocking devices work if you sign up with ATT to block certain numbers. Is it possible to block all blocked numbers?
I want to block this web designer guy who called me today.
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-520-275-5192

There are serveral ... that have been mentioned before here on this thread plus several others!

One, which also was mentioned a few posts back, is Digitone 10, one of several that has a wildcard feature where you can either enter the area code (or also the next three numbers in the exchange) and block a whole series of numbers (an example would be - 520-###-####, or 520-275-#### Followed by "#*").

Try a little exploring and check out what features any of those have that suits your needs.

"...has been pretty successful in keeping these devices from being manufactured and/or distributed in the USA"

Your assertions are absurd. There is absolutely nothing interfering with the sale and production of such devices.  They are readily available and many users of this site have them.

Take a look: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/182-8769877-9357523?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=call%20blocker&sprefix=call+blo%2Caps&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Acall%20blocker

While you are on Amazon's site, I strongly suggest you consider ordering this: http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Foil-Deflector-Beanie-Protection/dp/1581603762/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367688119&sr=8-1&keywords=tin+foil+hat

Deflector only one left in stock at Amazon, BackTracer, hurry, hurry :)

Certainly available on the internet and Ebay, but try to find them at Best Buy, Office Depot, or Staples as an example. Having worked for a large Telco for many years, these devices were constantly requested by customers at our "technology stores" by customers who had already filled-up the limited number of call blocking spots available with our service. We were unable to locate an approved vendor that would supply these to us exactly for the reason I described. Same was the case for advanced battery technology (LiFePO4-V1) available in Europe and Asia that we wanted to implement within our standby power systems and inverters -being unavailable locally (except for Government/Military use), as it was being kept from possible use in US distributed or manufactured electric vehicles. Large lobbies are very powerful when it comes to protecting their interests and profits for sure!

I have the T Lock PRO CALL Blocker Version 2.0 make sure it is the latest version.
On the unit itself there will be writing PRO Call Blocker and the word call is red in color.
Date of Manufacture: 2012-11-10
It is the best $35 I have ever spent...this thing does look cheap and the instructions are not the best,however it works great:
Up to1200 number blocking capacity.
You can block up to 10 area codes.
And my favorite,you can block calls with no caller ID(the ones with no phone numbers),such as private,unknown,etc.
I have had this unit for 4 months and have 110 blacklist numbers in memory.
I am getting about 1 call a day on average now..before I was getting 15 a day.

A telco storefront selling a hardware blocker, even one farmed out and rebadged with the telco's name, would imply that its rather costly programmed blocking isn't worth the monthly fee. It would further suggest that the telco doesn't care about a subscriber's peace and security enough to help solve a problem requiring the blocking of hundreds of abused, spoofed, and otherwise suspicious phone numbers. That's not conspiracy at work, but capitalism. It doesn't take a lobbyist to see a threat to a business model which an entrenched player with a monopolistic background may be reluctant to reform.

I am under seige with unwanted callers from everywhere around the country.  Do Not Call registry is worthless.  Comcast and others only give you 12 numbers.  Here is something you may want to try if you have COMCAST's lousy service:  Drill down into the call  blocking menu  on line.  One of the tabs listed is called "Limited Call Forwarding"  You get twelve numbers to add to a list with one number which you can forward to any number.  That one number can be any one of the those Miserable B%^&**s that call in.  Let them be on the receiving end.  It works but also only gives you a dozen more numbers to block with no ringing.  

I may also give Google Voice a try.

Any modern Telco switch has the ability to mass-block calls from phony area codes and obvious spoofed numbers to all of their subscribers, which would be a godsend. They will not do it due to pressure from the
telemarketing lobby with support of certain Congressmen. I contacted one of the local switch guys that I know about mass-blocking the number 000-000-0000 and was told that they get this request often but their hands are tied. Switches in Europe do this service on a regular basis and have even automated the process by creating databases of numbers to block based on subscriber input.

I bought about 15 years ago from Radio Shack a small device that attached to the phone and
if I did not want that call again I pressed reject on this device beside the phone and the number got placed in the reject stack and every time that same number called after two
rings a voice comes on and says no one is available to take your call.   It was great and I had
it for about 7 years and it died.  I am unable to get another anywhere.  It was only $19.99 and
Radio Shack does not carry them anymore.  Do not know why.   Too bad.  I think I am going to invest
in the one you just purchased.

I am using the Teleblocker unit that I got off of Ebay. Works great and is very versatile.

If you have a smartphone, look in you app store for "Call Control." Free version is great. Paid version greater!