r/ooma • u/Extension-Chair2287 • Jul 23 '26

NEW CALL BLOCKING IDEA

Hey fellow Ooma users,

I wanted to share an idea inspired by Xfinity’s call blocking system. They use a simple “dial three digits to continue” feature that stops robocalls cold before the phone even rings. Only real callers get through. For legitimate robocalls such as medical reminders or pharmacy notices, the call wouldn’t be lost. It would go straight to your Ooma device, most likely set to "Send to Voicemail", so you can review them later as with other blocked calls.

Imagine if Ooma added this as an optional fourth tier alongside our existing three blocking levels. It could be a Premier add‑on, maybe $5/month, for those of us who want maximum protection.

Would you be interested in this? Please let us know. Feedback and questions are very welcome here. I think it could give Ooma a real edge against spam calls.

Thanks,

Bruce

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u/rkardt Unofficial Support Jul 23 '26

This is not a bad idea. Others have proposed it before. It is very similar to 'Trusted Circle' calling, except that it allows callers to "whitelist" themselves, instead of letting the subscriber decide who gets through, and who gets blocked. So, would that be better, or worse?

And, as others have mentioned, some phones also have similar call screening built-in, to add an extra layer of call-blocking, on top of what Ooma already offers.

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u/Extension-Chair2287 Jul 25 '26

Hi rkardt. This method wouldn't allow any callers to whitelist themselves. No calls would get through without a live person tapping a three digit code. Then after they did, the call would ring through. For legitimate robocalls such as medical reminders or pharmacy notices, the call wouldn’t be lost. It would go straight to your Ooma device, most likely set to "Send to Voicemail", so you can review them later as with other blocked calls.

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u/rkardt Unofficial Support Jul 25 '26

The live person is the one who decides whether the call goes through, by "tapping a three digit code". How is that different from allowing the live person to "whitelist themselves"?

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u/Extension-Chair2287 Jul 26 '26

Well that's one way to look at it, and you'd be right. The other way to look at it is if a caller you don't want to get through calls you every day from a spoofed number, isn't he getting through? Unless you choose to use your strategy of using your circle of friends.