There is a quick method to avoid nuisance calls (such as from
debt collectors, etc.). This method also prevents these callers
from leaving voice messages (which will happen if you see the
call and "reject" the call; REJECTING a call (most carriers) will
go straight to voice mail! In many cases, even if you BLOCK a
call, it will go to voice mail and a message can be left. This works
for landline phones as well.
The following method works great. Be advised though that it
does come with (what I consider) a minor inconvenience which
I will detail at the end of the instructions.
This is predicated on IF your current carrier does NOT a method
to block these calls AND to prevent the callers from leaving a
voice message.
Instructions:
Check with your carrier to see if they offer "Selective Call
Forwarding". This is the desired option, but if not, you can
still employ this method!
1. Using GOOGLE or any other search engine, search for
"numbers that never answer" or "numbers that are
always busy" or similar search. (There are hundreds of
numbers that match these criteria. Make sure you verify
any number returned by your search still
"never answers" or is "always busy").
2. Simply "forward" your phone to one of these numbers!
Now, if your carrier offers "Selective Call Forwarding"
(Sprint does), that's even better because you can choose
under what circumstances your phone is forwarded. Most
of the time you have 3 choices:
a. Forward if I don't answer (and in some cases you
can set the number of seconds before the actual
forwarding takes place if you don't answer. This is
useful in that you will see the calling number in your
Caller-ID and can then decide to answer or NOT.
b. Forward IF I'm on the phone (phone is busy).
c. Forward the phone unconditionally (this is mostly
the default if no other options are available).
Now...if you allow the "forwarding" to occur, the calling party will either
always get a busy signal (if you chose that option) OR the phone will
never "answer" which means voice mail will not be engaged!
Now...the "drawback OR inconvenience": NO ONE CAN LEAVE
YOU A VOICE MESSAGE!
This may or may not be a viable course of action for you.
It means that you must have your phone with you all of
the time in order to see incoming calls.
Based on the caller ID of the incoming call, you can opt to
answer the call OR let the forwarding occur. It's really great if
you can set the number of rings your phone will ring before
forwarding takes place. Doing so gives you time to view Caller
ID before deciding to take the call.
Another Alternative/Option: Obtain a GOOGLE VOICE or other
"FREE" number. You can associate the GOOGLE number with
any active number of your choice (landline or cell) and then
give out the Google Voice number. This is an excellent option
because:
1. Again, you can give out the GOOGLE voice number and not
your "real" cell or "landline" number.
2. For cells, download the GOOGLE VOICE APP. This will then
allow you to place a call using the APP and the call will appear
as coming from your GOOGLE VOICE number and NOT your
real cell number. This is great if you're attempting to see
who called you by calling the number. Their ID will show the
Google Voice number and not your real number.
3. Incoming calls from callers who dialed your GOOGLE VOICE
number will appear in the APP in "RECENT CALLS". If you
choose not to answer a call, you can go to the APP and
bring up the calls. Also differentiates between who dialed
your real cell and who called your Google Voice.
Hope this is useful.
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