AT&T Doesn't Stop Spam and Telemarketer Calls Even with Call Protect Turned On

The warning of possible spam is what's require by law, it's your choice as to whether or not to answer that call. You'd be much better served by getting a phone with a good call blocker or a third-party blocking device. Both can be found online as well as the manuals, so you can compare and get whichever best fits your needs. Phone company blocking services leave a lot to be desired, mainly because they are restricted as to what they can and can't block. 

Hi there @txbrosen1, we're happy to provide information on the options for Call Protect.

We merged AT&T Call Protect and AT&T Mobile Security into one easy-to-use app.  Now with added protection to secure your personal data, block spam calls, manage nuisance calls, and more. Eligible AT&T wireless customers can get the new AT&T ActiveArmor mobile security app for free in the app store on their phone.

• We moved the Call Protect features to the AT&T ActiveArmor mobile security app. You can see your existing call control settings in the new app plus free data security features! For details go to ActiveArmor and Call Protect help page. 
• Customers will want to download the free AT&T ActiveArmor mobile security app to customize their robocall protection, manage nuisance calls and even create their own personal block list. Additionally, customers can secure their devices, personal data and receive data breach alerts within the app.
• ActiveArmor for $3.99 price includes AT&T Mobile Security Plus and advanced features and is optional to keep as a advanced feature or can removed. 
• You have to downgrade from AT&T ActiveArmor  advanced mobile security the same way you signed up for it. For example, if you subscribed from your iPhone, you’ll have to cancel your subscription in iTunes.
• Make sure to remove the Call protect app if you have added the ActiveArmor feature. 

We are dedicated to continually evolving and improving our security efforts to help protect you, and help you protect yourself with our educational resources.We're here if you have any questions.Thank you for reaching out to AT&T Community Forums.

Ashley, AT&T Community Specialist 

Ashley, I'm not asking about mobile support, I have that under control. My problem is on my uverse home phone. The online option to manage Call Protect does absolutely nothing, and there is no ActiveArmor option.  I have been forced to turn on Do Not Disturb to stop the calls, and that is essentially no home phone service.

Do as suggested with a good call blocker and you won't need DND.

> The warning of possible spam is what's require by law, it's your choice as to whether or not to answer that call. 

It is not about the law, it is about quality of service. Law (FCC) allows telecom providers to block suspected calls. If AT&T does nothing, it is frustrating for customers that pay money. Don't tell that we don't pay enough money -- US has most expensive rate for phones in the world. They just don't want alienate spammer/scammer/telemarketers, since they pay AT&T money they are stealing from us.

That's not exactly true. They are allowed to block calls that are proven to be spam, they can't block what might be spam. Also they are supposed to verify through CID verification if a call is spoofed, this is not fully implemented from what I understand. FCC on robo calls and FCC on CID authentication. There are calls phone companies are not allowed to block such as robo calls that have not been identified as spam, since doctors, pharmacy's and many other legitimate businesses use robo calls to inform their customers of appointments and other reminders. They also can't block unknown callers because it could be a legitimate call where for whatever reason the CID didn't work. This is why a good blocking phone or device is better than the phone company because consumers are not bound by the restrictions put on the phone companies on this issue. So to make a blanket statement that the phone companies are allowed to block suspected calls is misleading. 

> They are allowed to block calls that are proven to be spam,

> So to make a blanket statement that the phone companies are allowed to block suspected calls is misleading. 

See https://twitter.com/fcc/status/1136694864186359813

The FCC has ruled that voice service providers may, as the default, block unwanted calls based on reasonable call analytics, as long as their customers are informed & have the opportunity to opt out of the blocking.

I can only assume that AT&T doesn't want any call analytics because that will alienate spammer/scammer/telemarketers.

I've read many of your post, which I should have done before replying, twitter is not an official source and the rules are different for different services. I can see from your previous post that nothing is going to convince you that the phone companies can't just block whatever they want so hopefully the OP will heed the advice given. 

Thanks for sharing that information with us, and we understand your frustration @txbrosen1. 

We recommend checking out this information on how to set up call blocking on your home phone: 

Receive an unwanted call? You can:

• Press *61 to add the number of the last call received to your call block list
• Press *80 to turn call blocking off
• Press *60 to turn call blocking back on

Get a call that has no caller ID? You can:

• Press *77 to block callers who withhold their phone numbers. Anonymous callers will receive a message that you don’t accept calls without Caller ID info.
• Press *87 to unblock these calls.

You can also try our free Digital Phone Call Protect to automatically block calls from known scammers.¹ You’ll also get caller ID alerts for suspected spam calls before you answer. Learn more about Digital Phone Call Protect or sign in to myAT&T to opt in and manage this feature.

To have your number placed on the Do Not Call list, visit http://sm.att.com/1edee939.

Let us know if this helps. 

Robert, AT&T Community Specialist