How to stop spam calls with TELUS Call Control

How do I turn on TELUS Call Control?

1. 1Log in to My TELUS online or in the app.TELUS, Call Control for mobile devices explained
2. 2Select Plans & Devices. With more than one line, pick the one to manage.TELUS, Call Control for mobile devices explained
3. 3Select the Call Control tab.TELUS, Call Control for mobile devices explained
4. 4Enable Call Control. TELUS says it may take a few minutes to add to your account.TELUS, Call Control for mobile devices explained
5. 5Use the toggle to turn it on or off at any time. Or dial *99 from your TELUS phone for spoken prompts.TELUS, Call Control for mobile devices explainedTELUS, TELUS launches Call Control to block spam calls (May 21, 2020)

How does Call Control work?

• A first-time caller is asked to enter a number on their keypad. If they get it right, the call rings through, and they aren’t asked again while they’re among your 25 most recent callers.TELUS, Call Control for mobile devices explained
• A caller who gets it wrong hears that they’ve been prevented from reaching you. In Preferences you can send them to voicemail instead.TELUS, Call Control for mobile devices explained
• Numbers on your Accepted list skip the test; numbers on your Blocked list can’t pass it. TELUS allows up to 25 numbers on each.TELUS, Call Control for mobile devices explainedTELUS, TELUS launches Call Control to block spam calls (May 21, 2020)
• TELUS suggests adding family, school and doctors’ offices, anyone who calls with an autodialer, and anyone who doesn’t speak English or French.TELUS, Call Control for mobile devices explained
• With *99 you can also move one of your last 3 callers to the Accepted or Blocked list. The call log shows who was let in and who wasn’t.TELUS, Call Control for mobile devices explained

Stop spam calls on Koodo

Is TELUS Call Control free?

• Yes: TELUS calls it a free optional feature that screens robocallers. Eligible customers opt in.TELUS, Call Control for mobile devices explained
• TELUS launched it free on May 21, 2020, for home phone customers in B.C. and Alberta and wireless customers across Canada.TELUS, TELUS launches Call Control to block spam calls (May 21, 2020)

What still gets past Call Control?

• Not every call can be checked yet, and only smartphones show the result, the CRTC says.CRTC, Caller ID spoofing
• Scammers copy the first six digits of your own number so the call looks local, or show your own number.CRTC, Caller ID spoofing
• A person who presses the digit gets through, scammer or not: the test stops machines, not people.TELUS, TELUS launches Call Control to block spam calls (May 21, 2020)
• TELUS warns it may screen out wanted auto-dialled calls, like a recorded parcel notice, and that Call Control and *99 may not work while roaming.TELUS, Call Control for mobile devices explained

Does the National Do Not Call List help?

• Register your number once on the free National Do Not Call List to cut telemarketing calls; it doesn’t stop scammers.National Do Not Call List, Consumer FAQs

How to register, and where to report a scam call

How do I use it with Vicem?

• Keep Call Control on if you like the digit test. Callers who pass it ring your phone, and the ones you miss go to Vicem; callers who fail it never ring at all.
• Forward only the calls you don’t answer to Vicem. Your phone company’s codes for that are in the forwarding tool.
• You keep your own number and your plan: nothing moves, and you can turn forwarding off with one code.
• Or get a Canadian Vicem number to give out instead; it comes right away.

TELUS call forwarding codes

Forwarding codes for TELUS

What answers the calls that pass Call Control?

Vicem is an AI with its own number. It answers the calls you miss, says it’s an AI, and turns scam callers away.

• Junk calls and texts are handled without interrupting you.
• Spam calls it turns away never count against your minutes.
• Works when your phone is off.
• From $24 a month, your own number included.

Vicem pricing