Blocking Azerbaijan: Stop Unwanted Calls And Stay Safe

If you're receiving scam calls from Azerbaijan, you're not alone. Many people have reported receiving calls from the country, often multiple times a day, with the frequency being alarming. While it may be tempting to answer these calls to put an end to them, it's important to remember that they are likely scams and should be ignored. To stop receiving these unwanted calls, you can try using a call-blocking app, such as Callblock for iOS or Hiya for iOS and Android. These apps can help reduce unwanted calls by identifying and blocking telemarketers and spammers. Additionally, you can try using a VPN to circumvent the issue, as suggested by Hebib Muntezir, one of the founders of Meydan TV, an independent media outlet in Azerbaijan.

Using a call-blocking app

If you're receiving unwanted calls from Azerbaijan, one of the best ways to block them is to download a call-blocking app. These apps act as filters for your calls, using call data and reports from users, government agencies, and other sources to predict which calls are illegal or likely scams. The app then intercepts those calls before they reach you. Some apps are free, but others charge a fee or a subscription.

• Go to the online app store for your phone's operating system (e.g. iOS or Android) and browse the ratings for different apps.
• Look online for expert reviews on call-blocking apps.
• Check out the list of apps at ctia.org, a website from the wireless industry. The site lists apps specific to Android, BlackBerry, iOS, and Windows.

Once you've downloaded a call-blocking app, you can usually choose how to respond to the calls flagged as scams. For example, the app might:

• Let the call through to your phone but prevent it from ringing.
• Send the call straight to voicemail.
• Allow you to create lists of numbers to block or allow.
• Send a pre-written text message to the caller.
• Report the number to a government agency, such as the FTC.

Some apps will also access your contacts list, so it's important to check the app's privacy policy to understand how it collects and uses your information. Additionally, keep in mind that call-blocking services might occasionally block some legitimate calls you want to receive.

Blocking scam callers

Scam callers are a menace and can be a source of constant irritation. If you are receiving scam calls from Azerbaijan, or any other country, there are several steps you can take to block them.

Firstly, you can download a call-blocking app. There are several options available, such as Callblock, Hiya, and Mr Number Lookup & Call Block. These apps can identify and block spam and scam calls, as well as providing caller ID and reverse phone lookup services. They also allow you to report and add missing or misclassified numbers.

If you don't want to use an app, you can manually block numbers on your iPhone by going to Settings > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification, and then toggling on the numbers you want to block. You can also contact your phone provider and ask them to block the number.

Another option is to use a VPN to disguise your location and phone number. This can be a more comprehensive solution, as it makes it harder for scammers to target you specifically.

Finally, you can simply ignore the calls. If you don't recognise the number, don't answer it. Let it go to voicemail, and if it is important, they will leave a message. You can also use Google or another search engine to search for the number and see if it is associated with any scams.

By following these steps, you can effectively block scam callers and protect yourself from unwanted interruptions.

Stopping spam voicemails

If you're tired of spam voicemails filling up your mailbox, there are several methods you can use to block them. Here are some steps you can take to stop unwanted voicemails:

Use a Call-Blocking App

One effective way to stop spam voicemails is to use a call-blocking app. There are many options available for both iOS and Android devices. These apps can identify and block spam calls, preventing them from leaving voicemails. Some popular choices include:

• Call Control (Android): This app blocks robocalls and neighbourhood spoofing calls from leaving voicemails. It has a free version, but the paid version ($29.99/year) offers more features.
• Robokiller, Hiya, or Truecaller (iOS): These apps have extensive community-driven blocklists and offer more advanced voicemail-blocking capabilities than Call Control for iOS. Pricing varies, with Robokiller at $4.99/month or $39.99/year, Hiya at $3.99/month or $24.99/year, and Truecaller at $4.49/month or $29.99/year.
• Callblock (iOS): This app has the world's largest directory of telemarketers and can reduce unwanted calls and texts by more than 85%. It costs $1.99/month or $19.99/year.

Carrier-Level Blocking

Another option is to utilise carrier-level blocking services. Major carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon offer various spam-blocking services, some of which are free, while others are part of paid plans:

• AT&T ActiveArmor: This free service blocks known spam calls and lets you block specific numbers. The advanced version ($3.99/month) offers more features, including blocking categories of calls and advanced caller ID.
• T-Mobile Scam Shield: The free version of this app notifies you of scam calls. The premium version ($4/month) lets you block "spam likely" calls and send specific categories of calls straight to voicemail.
• Verizon Call Filter: This free service offers spam blocking and lets you send suspected spam calls to voicemail. The plus version ($3.99) includes more advanced caller ID features and reverse number lookup.

Google Voice

Google Voice provides another option to block spam calls and prevent them from leaving voicemails. You'll need to switch to a Google Voice number as your primary number and forward calls to your old carrier number. With Google Voice, you can block known spam calls by sending them to voicemail, marking them as spam, or blocking them entirely. However, keep in mind that your Google Voice number becomes your main number, and spam callers might still call your old carrier number.

National Do Not Call Registry

Adding your phone number to the National Do Not Call Registry can help reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive. While it may not stop all spam calls, it's a simple step that can decrease their frequency.

Other Tips

• Silence unknown callers: On iOS, you can choose to silence calls from numbers not listed in your contacts. This prevents your phone from ringing, but the calls will still appear in your recent calls, and voicemails will go to your regular inbox.
• Use a virtual assistant: Consider using a virtual assistant service that can screen calls for you and only notify you of important ones.
• Disable voicemail: If you're willing to give up voicemail entirely, you can disable the feature to prevent spam callers from leaving messages.

Preventing spoofed calls

Spoofed calls are a major annoyance and can often lead to dangerous situations. Here are some ways to prevent them:

Encourage callbacks to block your number

It may sound counterintuitive, but making your number less accessible is a good way to prevent spoofing. If someone receives a spoofed call from your number, they may call back to follow up. Encourage the caller to block your number immediately. This makes your number less attractive to spoofers and more likely to fall naturally out of use. You can also record a voicemail that explains the situation and suggests blocking your number.

Install an anti-spoofing app on your smartphone

You can protect your phone calls and text messages with an anti-spoofing app. These services typically focus on reducing access to your actual phone number by masking it with a secondary number. One popular option is SpoofCard, which is available for iOS and Android.

See if your phone service provider offers protection

Some phone companies offer spoofing protection as a paid service. For example, AT&T provides upgraded security as a standalone service or with certain plans. The AT&T Call Protect app protects users from spoofed calls as well as spam calls.

Use caller ID blocking when possible

If you want to hide your information from caller IDs, dial *67 before entering the outgoing number. This is a great, easy, and free way to use a private number. However, this won't work when dialling a toll-free or emergency number.

File a complaint with the FCC

If you've taken steps to protect yourself and are still experiencing spoofing issues, file a complaint with the FCC. They also provide access to complaint data, such as national statistics and helpful legal information.

Don't answer calls from unknown numbers

If you receive a call from an unknown number, it's best not to answer. If you do answer, hang up immediately.

Report unwanted calls to local authorities

If you're in the US, any suspect or unwanted calls should be reported to the FCC, which investigates consumer complaints of fraudulent phone spoofing.

Manually block spam numbers on your device

Regardless of whether the number has been spoofed or not, you can block calls originating from any caller ID to prevent further hassle or abuse.

Using reverse phone lookup

If you are receiving scam calls from Azerbaijan, you can use a reverse phone lookup service to find out who owns the number. This can be done by using a website such as RevealName, which allows you to enter the phone number and instantly find out who owns it, whether it is a person or a business. This can be useful if you are receiving random phone calls from Azerbaijan and want to know the true owner.

RevealName uses thousands of public and third-party databases to accurately keep owner records for all phone numbers based in Azerbaijan and provide address, background, and demographic information as part of the reverse phone lookup. The website claims to keep its data fresh to ensure the accuracy of the results.

Another similar website is SearchPeopleDirectory.com, which also offers an Azerbaijan phone number lookup. This website provides the country code for Azerbaijan (+994) and lists all the area codes and mobile codes for the country. You can use this information to perform a reverse lookup by entering the country code, area code, and local number.

In addition to these websites, there are also mobile apps available that can help block unwanted calls, such as CallBlock, which is an iOS app that claims to stop unwanted calls and texts. While this app may not specifically mention Azerbaijan, it has a large directory of telemarketers from over 100 countries and can identify most telemarketing calls correctly.

By using a combination of these tools and services, you can effectively use reverse phone lookup to block unwanted calls from Azerbaijan.

Frequently asked questions