Ditching Calls

I successfully use a combination of “Do Not Disturb”, Youmail.com and fax software to block 100% of my robocalls.

First, I tell all my family and friends to call me on my cell phone instead of my landline.

Then, I connect my computer to my landline using a built-in faxmodem.

I set the faxmodem to pick up on one ring.

When the robocallers call on the landline, they get the fax screech and hang up.

The robocallers are too dumb to realize that it is a fax number and continue to try. This has been working for more than two years.

As an alternative, you can use an old fashioned “Answering machine” and let it fill up. The robocallers will get a “mailbox full” message.

For those robocallers that somehow got my cell number, I use Youmail.com. Youmail allows you to "ditch" specific callers. Ditching a call means that the caller will be unable to leave a message. You can select from a number of outgoing messages for any of your callers or caller groups. For the robocaller which will comprise your "Ditched Calls" group, you select an outgoing message that sounds like something is wrong, such as "mailbox full."

To automatically divert the robocalls to voice mail, I use an app called "do not disturb" which allows me to block specific numbers and send them to voice mail, which is now Youmail.

When I receive a call from an unknown number, I let it go to voice mail. I can send it there faster by "ignoring" the call. later on, I sign onto youmail and see what it was. If it was a robocaller, it almost never leaves a message. Usually Youmail has an icon saying what it is. you can also do a google search on the number and learn what it is. When I determine that it is not a caller I would want, I click the "dictch" button and then that caller will become part of the ditched group and will get the ditched greeting and will not be able to leave a message.

Does it work?

This is 100% effective, and I also lose no calls that I would want.

Is it easy to use?

Yes it is. Fax software, Do Not Disturb, and Youmail are all simple to use applications.

Can it be rolled out?

It already is! All you need is a simple document explaining how to utilize already existing technologies.