T-mobile/Sprint free callerid and scam call blocking

[masraum]

Interesting new features available.

https://www.t-mobile.com/customers/scam-shield

Now that Sprint and T-Mobile have merged, our network is bigger and better than ever, and has advanced scam-blocking protection built into its core. So every customer can be better-protected—for FREE.

Qualifying service & capable device required. Turning on Scam Block might block calls you want; disable any time.


Your ultimate call control center.

Our free Scam Shield app gives you control over T-Mobile’s anti-scam protections like Scam ID, Scam Block, and Caller ID, and is available to all our customers.

Americans get billions of scam and robocalls every year. But Scam ID and Scam Block technologies identify and help stop them—before you ever get the call. Plus, our customers are further-protected by anti-spam text solutions we've had in place since 2014.

Keep your personal number personal.

Scam Shield gives you an extra PROXY number that you can use when you don’t want to share your private phone number.

Qualifying service & capable device required. 1 per account; may be cancelled for non-use. In some circumstances, access to 911 may be limited. See DIGITS Terms of Use for additional 911 information.

When you need a clean slate.

With Scam Shield, you can change your phone number—for any reason—up to one time per year, for free.

Qualifying service required. 1 per line per year.

Scam ID is free and automatic for all T-Mobile customers; no action required.


How do I block a scam call on T-Mobile?

There are a number of ways to turn on Scam Block:

Download the free Scam Shield app and toggle on Scam Block
Dial #662# from your T-Mobile device
Log in to My T-Mobile or the T-Mobile app, where you'll see an option to turn on Scam Block
Turn Scam Block on for your DIGITS numbers by dialing 611 from your T-Mobile device to speak to a mobile expert
T-Mobile pre-paid customers can turn on Scam Block by dialing #436#, visiting a retail store or dialing 611 to speak to Care.


What about scam/spam texts? Does T-Mobile block those?

We've had an anti-spam solution for mobile messaging including SMS, MMS, and RCS since 2014, and we include it at no additional charge for T-Mobile customers. How it works:

Our anti-spam message solution is updated regularly with spam message fingerprints and signatures. Whenever a mobile message is received on the network, it's checked against the anti-spam solution. If a message is determined to be spam or unwanted, we'll block it. Otherwise, the message will be delivered.
Customers can report spam or unwanted messages by simply forwarding the messages to 7726. We'll reply with a confirmation text and forward the message to the Security Center for analysis. The message and your details are encrypted; your identity won't be shared.
Replying "STOP" is usually a convenient way to quickly opt out of a message program. However, for unwanted spam texts, we recommend forwarding messages to 7726 and not replying. Similar to picking up an unknown robocall, spammers will use any texted reply (including "STOP") as confirmation that they've reached a real person.


How do I get free Caller ID?

T-Mobile customers can download the new Scam Shield app to get started.

Eligible T-Mobile customers can also opt in by dialing #436#, via My T-Mobile, by visiting a T-Mobile retail store, or by dialing 611 from their T-Mobile phone to speak to a mobile expert.


What is PROXY by DIGITS?

PROXY is a new offering from T-Mobile that gives you a free second number to help keep your primary number private. PROXY is available to add to all Magenta and Essentials plans. One free PROXY number per account.

You can check your calls and listen to your messages in the DIGITS app.


Who is eligible to add a PROXY by DIGITS number?

This offer is available for all postpaid voice plans; one free PROXY number per account. Magenta Prepaid and Magenta for Business accounts with 13+ lines are not currently eligible.

[red-beard]

Discussion of cellular service borders on religious discussions....

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Google voice works pretty well for this too (although google anything is pretty much a “no go zone” for me)

[Sooner or later]

I am on Sprint and have had something similar for 6 months or so. It picks up on about half the robo calls.

I guess this is something new from t mobile

[GH85Carrera]

I am on AT&T, and I have never had a problem with them in a lifetime going back to the Ma Bell days before individuals could even own a telephone, all phone equipment was rented month to month.

I have heard horror stories about every single phone and cable provider. They all suck.

I have an app on my phone from AT&T called call protect. Any of the many calls I get from just a city name are just blocked, and the phone never even rings. I can look at the call log and see what number calls me My last one was just from North Dakota. Then Waynette, OK, Wetumpka, OK Wynnewood, OK so some scammer has the small towns starting with W in Oklahoma as their fake numbers. My phone never rang, it just was logged as they tried to call.

If all the carriers would agreed to make spoofed caller ID calls impossible and only verified phone number get the caller ID and completed calls then scam calls will stop all at once. They all want the call volume to keep the equipment busy I guess.

[red-beard]

We've switched back and forth between T-Mobile and AT&T a couple of times, presently with T-Mobile for about 5 years. T is definitely cheaper at the moment. And as soon as the 5G LTE home modem comes out, I will be switching to that.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Sooner or later

I am on Sprint and have had something similar for 6 months or so. It picks up on about half the robo calls.

I guess this is something new from t mobile

For the past 6-12 months, T-mobile has set the caller ID of certain calls to "SCAM LIKELY".

But full caller ID is new. Normally, caller ID for landlines is 100%, but for mobile numbers it's usually not free. I've always just blocked scam calls after the fact and some of my official work stuff sometimes comes through with screwy callerid so I won't be turning the automatic blocking on.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by red-beard

We've switched back and forth between T-Mobile and AT&T a couple of times, presently with T-Mobile for about 5 years. T is definitely cheaper at the moment. And as soon as the 5G LTE home modem comes out, I will be switching to that.

We've been on T-mo for a long time, longer than they think/realize. The number my wife is using used to be my T-mo number, but then I got a work phone and transferred the account and number to her. I think they show us as 15 year customers, but I'm pretty sure it's closer to 20. I've always had good luck and service with them.

[red-beard]

When we moved from San Diego, 16 Years ago, I was with Cellular One, which became AT&T. We switched to Houston phone numbers. A year or so later, we ported over to T-Mobile. Stayed about 3-4 years.

AT&T approached us as a business and we switched. Soon our service was quite high and I checked out T-Mobile (4 years ago?). Switched over and we added 2 LTE tablets. When I bought my latest Laptop, I went with an LTE modem as well (for traveling). And I have 2 Cellular Samsung Watches...

[GH85Carrera]

My app has a "feature" that lets me turn on called ID of cell callers for "only" $3.95 per month. $47.40 per year. Nope, I don't care who it is that much.

I have a simple rule, if you call me and I don't answer, leave a message. If it is not important enough to leave a message, it ain't very important.

I really honestly wish they would stop the instructions for leaving a message. In 2020 everyone knows how to leave a message. It is not difficult. Skip the long instructions and give me a beep, I will start leaving the message.

[Steve Carlton]

I've tried some things and more than one at once, but get mixed results. I've seen these ads for RoboKiller and like the way they jerk the callers around. Any experience with this?

https://www.robokiller.com/

Gets good reviews in the Apple App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/robokiller-block-spam-calls/id1022831885

[RSBob]

If you have an iPhone and keep your Contacts List updated, there is a simple free way to block calls from non- contacts (but people not in Contacts can still leave a voice mail). Just go to
Settings
Phone
Silence Unknown Callers
Of course if you are expecting a call from someone whose number you don’t know, just temporarily turn it off.

[porsche4life]

I installed scam shield earlier this week. So far it says it’s blocked a few calls. Anything will help. I have had silence unknown callers turned on ever since it came out, and it was catching 5-10 calls a week at time. Lately I’ve been getting lots of unknown voicemails from that routing then to Vm. I’m excited to see how this app handles them.


We switched to T-Mobile over the winter and I’ve been thrilled so far. Saved us a bunch of money and we’ve actually had better service.

Was looking forwards to using some free international data, but international travel seems to be a thing of the past now...

[GH85Carrera]

I use my cell phone as my "business line" and I never know where a customer or a call is coming from. I can't block all unknown callers. I do know that if "Montana" calls me I can bet the governor of Montana is not calling me, and even if he was it would not just list the name of the state.

Caller ID spoofing is over the top when I was getting call from my own phone number. I can't even call myself, but the (exploitatives deleted) low life, rotten, slimy, POS scammers can use my number as a scam call. I had one lady call me and she told me to stop calling her. I told he I have never called her, it was a caller ID spoof. She then told me she was going to block my number and I said fine, I don't know you, and have no reason to ever call you.

[Steve Carlton]

That Montana call was Kevin Costner. He was hoping to rent your El Camino for $1,000/day for the season as a ranch hand car on Yellowstone.