AT&T Call Protect Not Blocking Unknown Callers

Hello @petercs9,

We can definitely take a closer look into why unknown calls are still not being sent to your voicemail after setting up Custom Call Controls with AT&T Call Protect. The Latest version of the AT&T Call Protect app for Apple devices is actually 1.6.5 at the moment, and this includes updates to Custom Call Controls as well as UI updates & other bug fixes. We recommend updating the app, or deleting and reinstalling it to your device. Please let us know if this helps.

Sean, AT&T Community Specialist

@petercs9

Read:    https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/10/robocallers-evolved-to-sidestep-new-call-blocking-rules-ags-tell-fcc/

As fast as the good guys block them, the bad guys find a way around the block.   

Im using a free blocker (Hiya) Which does a s good a job from the phone as I think can be expected. 

Haven’t lost all hope, yet.   

https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/10/15/robocalls-finally-big-phone-carriers-to-take-promising-step-to-reduce-consumer-scourge/

I’ve deleted the app and reinstalled. The app store says the app is version 1.6.5, but the app itself reports version 1.6.238. I’ve tried changing the setting for unknown callers to “Block” instead of sending to voicemal. They still come through. Please advise.

@petercs9

Im just going to repost the same link as above.  

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/10/robocallers-evolved-to-sidestep-new-call-blocking-rules-ags-tell-fcc/

Carriers are like the little Dutch boy putting a finger in the dam.  A new leak springs and you don’t have enough fingers to plug them.  

  The free version or Hiya does just as well.  I suggest you cancel the subscription and tell them why.  If people pay, they think it works.  

 I understand the article. However, these calls are not that sophisticated. They come through as "Unknown" have no caller-id or number associated with them at all. They should be easily caught by the app.

Hiya does not block these calls either. It's running on my phone right now, and an "Unknown" call came through. In the Hiya user guide it says that Hiya cannot block these calls on iOS. The app is "blocked" from being able to intercept them apparently. Possibly this is why the ATT app also does not work.

@petercs9

You are making my point for me.  If the free non ATT app does just as poor a job, why would you pay ATT for the app?  

It is NOT simple with the current systems to authenticate caller ID, which is why it fails.  

Oh gosh, you're not getting either. The difference between the Hiya App and the Att call app is clear. The att app itself is intended to block calls at the network level thus whoever calls your phone and they are on the block list, their call will NOT go through and they won't be given the opportunity to leave a voicemail. The Hiya app has no whatsoever ability to do that. In the case of unknown caller ID (usually Int. calls or calls originating from VoIP Service that cant be ID) or blocked caller ID (think *67) HIYA cannot block these calls because the iPhone ios cannot block them as well (not sure why Apple went that way since  Androids do have that ability).  The Att app (paid one) takes a step towards that and actually will not let the call complete if the caller id is blocked or restricted if you choose that option or send it straight to voicemail.  I hope this clears up the confusion 

@bogar90706

Not the least bit confused.  The ATT FREE and paid apps are supposed to block at the network level.  (They are only somewhat successful).  Hiya cannot, and is blocking or sending to VM based on its database.  

Hiya is the developer of these apps.  So while Suspected spam is handled differently, the result is calls that might be spam are sent to voicemail.  Legit callers leave a message.  Very few spam callers leave a message.  Based on the record on my phone, about 20% leave a message.  The rest hang up, no message

My point escaped you:  

Why would you pay for an app that cannot do the job?  

How is ATT going to get the point that the paid app is not working if you keep paying for it?

At the very least down grade to the free version 

@lizdance40 Well, my point was to address the unknown/caller ID restrict issue. Until iOS gets updated to allow blocking for these type of calls, I have to continue to use the plus subscription. 3.99 is a small price to pay for my peace and sanity. I will agree that the subscription model is not logical. ( I mean I'm already paying a bunch of  money to att for uverse and home internet along with 4 cell lines), I hate to see my phone gets constantly get these type of unknown calls and no caller ID and I refuse to even check if they left a voicemail (why bother to block your number?). Still I'll agree with you, you shouldnt have to pay for these type of features to block uknown or restricted ID.  These should be made available to all consumers regardless of their preferences in regards to anonymous callers. Hopefully, Apple gets their act together and offer their users the option to block calls and also deny them to leave a voicemail (in that case call protect will be moot, only for fraudulent calls). @petercs9 Sorry that you're having trouble with the app, I initially could not get my phone number registered during the initial set up (because instead of signing up thru iTunes, which I had billing issues in the past, I opted to sign up thru my att and also got their VPN for wifi included for that price) . I would call 611 to troubleshoot, more than likely they'll have you reset your settings on your end and they will also do it on their end too. That cleared up the issue for me but I guess that can help with your calls as well. If you decided to quit on the app, there is another suggestion, try YouMail.  The free version also gives you the option to reject unknown callers. The only tradeoff is that you need to forgo the carrier voicemail and use their own. Which by comparison it offers nifty features even att voicemail can offer. The blocking option needs to be enabled on their browser using a laptop.  Best of luck!