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Release date 01/19/2016
SAN FRANCISCO, CA ― Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy division of Consumer Reports, applauded Time Warner Cable today for making it easier for their digital phone service (VOIP) customers to take advantage of Nomorobo, a leading third party robocall-blocking tool. The consumer group urged the top phone companies to follow Time Warner Cable’s lead by offering Nomorobo or a similar free call-blocking service directly to their customers.
Consumers Union’s End Robocalls campaign has mobilized hundreds of thousands of consumers across the country to call on the nation’s top phone companies to offer their customers free tools to stop unwanted robocalls. Over 550,000 people have signed Consumers Union’s petition urging AT&T, CenturyLink, and Verizon to take action.
“Consumers are demanding relief from robocalls that ring all day long and are used by fraudsters peddling the latest scams.” said Tim Marvin, who heads up Consumers Union’s End Robocalls campaign. “Time Warner Cable deserves credit for making it easier for their customers to stop robocalls in their tracks. It’s time for the top phone companies to show they are taking this problem seriously by offering effective call-blocking tools like Nomorobo.”
Last fall, Consumers Union issued a report that identified a number of existing technologies, including Nomorobo, that phone companies could use to block unwanted robocalls from reaching their customers.
Nomorobo is a filtering service that blocks “blacklisted” phone numbers that have been reported to the Federal Trade Commission as “Do Not Call” list violators, along with other numbers that consumers have indicated were used by robocallers. If someone calls a VOIP customer who has enabled Nomorobo, the service allows the customer’s phone to ring at the same time the call is connected to Nomorobo servers. If the call originates from a blacklisted number, the service ends the call after one ring.
While Nomorobo is currently compatible with the VOIP service offered by most major phone companies, including AT&T and Verizon, many consumers are unaware of the service and must download the tool and install it on their own. Time Warner Cable has simplified that process by enabling their VOIP customers to turn Nomorobo on and off by adjusting the online settings of their account. Nomorobo received high marks from Consumer Reports readers who recently tested the service along with other call-blocking tools.
Media Contacts:
Michael McCauley, Consumers Union, 415.902.9537 (cell) or mmccauley@consumer.org
James McQueen, Consumer Reports, 914.378.2839 or jmcqueen@consumer.org
Consumer Reports is a nonprofit membership organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.
© 2016 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports® magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.
Consumer Reports is a nonprofit membership organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.
© 2016 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports® magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.