Vanity: Google Voice- anyone here use it?

Google ^ | FEB. 11, 2014 | Google

[Jed Eckert]

Features

Explore some of the most popular features of Google Voice by watching these videos:

Overview
Voicemail transcription
One number
Personalized greetings
International calling
SMS to email
Share voicemails
Block callers
Screen callers
Mobile app
Conference calls
Number Porting

[Jed Eckert]

I have and use Google Voice. It’s a good service. What questions do you have?

I'm primarily interested in using it as a call block. Will it block calls dialed directly to my cell number or only calls to the Google number?

Have scammers and telemarketers found a workaround for the block ( other than changing their number)?

Any limit to how many numbers you can put in your blocked list?

Thanks.

[Jed Eckert]

Thanks, I’ll check it out.

[Jed Eckert]

almost forgot to mention - you can put this sound at the start of your recorded message to deter telemarketers: out of service tones

Thanks. I did that on my land line answering machine years ago. Works pretty good for about 90% of the scammers and telemarketers. Even fools annoying humans sometimes. :)

[woodmiser]

I use GV.

I like being able to create a separate answering message for every contact.

I like having text and voice mails permanently loaded.

I like the block feature. I can block any incoming call at any time.

[JSteff]

Yes and I get FREE PHONE service, local, long distance, voice mail and recordings to VM are transcribed and via email to me. A real bargain. What was your phone bill last month? What about last year? Well mine has been ZERO for nearly 2 and a quarter years.

And for all those who would decry google spying, who doesn't? If you are online here at FR (or anywhere else on the 'net) someone is able to see you and track you. That is just the facts. So since they are going to do it, at least I get FREE phone service!

Google is like Walmart. They are there, will be there, and so on with it.... really nothing to see here.

[JSteff]

Agreed. I have had an Obi for just over 2 years and it has provided me free phone service. Obi's are a true bargain and their support is hard to get to if you need them, but once they get on it any questions are answered.

But I love free phone service (w/Voice mail, message transcription, etc, etc.) Anyone who does not have it is missing the savings. With Netflix for TV and movies my expenses are only the NetFlix bill, and my Internet connection.

Sooner or later someone is going to offer free internet service, and I can't wait.

[DManA]

What is the area code? Several articles have been posted here lately about a telephone scam. The goal is to get you to call them back and somehow that triggers a big ticket item on your next bill.

[DManA]

Ha! Good luck finding a pay phone.

[JSteff]

the recipient was changed $39.99 and/or so many $$$dollars per minute.

Uh, why would anyone call back to a number they did not know? Especially with the ability to set up GV to force the caller to give their name?

[JSteff]

I believe you can block any number to voice or cell. But even if not, why with voice mail, answering machines, etc would it matter?

Let me assure you that Publishers Clearing House is not going to call you... or the odds are fantastically small. So I would not worry about it.

[Solson]

It only works against your google number. So you will have to stand up a google number and then transfer, over time, your cell to being your google voice number.

You can block any and all calls and there is no limit.

I've used it for years and have begun to transition all my numbers to the google voice number. Yes, I know they're big brother but so is everyone else.

I hope this helps.

[Jed Eckert]

What is the area code? Several articles have been posted here lately about a telephone scam. The goal is to get you to call them back and somehow that triggers a big ticket item on your next bill.

Mostly from 888 area code. I never return calls or answer calls from unfamiliar numbers. They have to leave a pretty detailed message stating their name and specify what business they have with me before I even consider calling anyone back.

So far doctors, lawyers and other professionals that I have business with are pretty good about this. Family members who have the misfortune of having to call from a friend's cell already know the drill if they want a call back. :)

I love caller ID.

[JSteff]

Any limit to how many numbers you can put in your blocked list?

It is free so why don't you get it and just log on and ask your own specific questions.. all done over the Internet so it is anonymous.

i have had it for nearly 10 years and no problems.

[Jed Eckert]

It only works against your google number. So you will have to stand up a google number and then transfer, over time, your cell to being your google voice number.

You can block any and all calls and there is no limit.

I've used it for years and have begun to transition all my numbers to the google voice number. Yes, I know they're big brother but so is everyone else.

I hope this helps.

Thanks. Yes it does. I'm thinking a possible workaround is to forward calls from my cell to the Google number and block numbers accordingly.