PrivacyStar Launches ScamBlock and Real-Time Caller ID Alerts

CONWAY, Ark., Dec. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today PrivacyStar™ is announcing a new version of the only service that identifies callers by name and type in real time, automatically stops thousands of scammers, blocks unwanted calls and texts and allows users to report abusive calls and texts directly to federal agencies. The new version offers ScamBlock, an industry-first feature that automatically blocks calls and texts for free from thousands of identified scammers in real time for PrivacyStar Android users. In addition, the PrivacyStar CallCenter now alerts users when a telemarketer or debt collector is calling and lets users block the caller and quickly file a complaint.

PrivacyStar for Android is now available as a free download at the Google Play Store.

With the updates to the PrivacyStar CallCenter, incoming calls will be prominently flagged with one of the following notifications:

• Green: For callers not in the address book and not known to be telemarketers or debt collectors
• Yellow: A reported telemarketer or debt collector, but not on the PrivacyStar list of reported offenders
• Red: For callers who are telemarketers or debt collectors that are on the PrivacyStar list of reported offenders
• Scammer: Known scammers, calls and texts from these numbers will be automatically blocked before reaching the user and a notification will alert the user that a scammer has been blocked

PrivacyStar displays the name and number of the incoming caller – while the phone is ringing – when the caller is not in the smartphone's contact list. Also, PrivacyStar's app allows users to quickly block calls and texts and easily file complaints to help stop offenders. With this update, PrivacyStar now tells you the number that's calling, exactly who is calling, why they are calling and the ability to easily block anyone, forever.

"After listening to our customers and taking into account the fact that consumers are losing an estimated $40 billion a year to telemarketing fraud, it was clear to us that our next step would be to deliver a reliable way to prevent known scammers from reaching our users at no cost to them," said Jonathan Sasse, CMO of PrivacyStar. "With the entirely free ScamBlock and the new CallCenter update, we've delivered an industry-first solution to stopping scammers in their tracks, along with the best way to know in real time if a telemarketer or debt collector is calling you."

In addition to alerting the user if a telemarketer or debt collector is calling, the PrivacyStar update to the CallCenter can indicate whether or not the caller has been a reported violator of the existing rules as outlined in the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).  PrivacyStar users will also be able to see how many blocked calls and complaints have been filed by other users for each incoming call.

Because PrivacyStar is the only call blocking application that allows users to file complaints directly to the FTC, the service has the ability to see fraudulent telemarketing activity as it unfolds. This makes it possible for the PrivacyStar application to flag fraudulent numbers and stop them with ScamBlock before users can even hear their phones ring.

Pricing and Availability
PrivacyStar is available as a free download at Google Play. The optional $2.99 per month service can be purchased directly from the PrivacyStar application. Those looking to identify unknown numbers and file call complaints without an Android handset can also visit www.PrivacyStar.com from their mobile device or desktop computer.    

The free PrivacyStar service for Android includes:

• Automatic detection and blocking of scam calls and texts (ScamBlock)
• Unlimited call blocking
• Unlimited text blocking
• Real-Time Caller ID (limited)
• Text ID (limited)
• Unlimited reporting of abusive numbers
• Reverse number lookup (limited)
• Real-time call interaction with CallCenter

For $2.99 per month, PrivacyStar users can subscribe to include all of the features of the free service along with the addition of:

• Unlimited real-time caller ID
• Unlimited reverse number lookup
• Advanced customization of CallCenter
• No Banner Ads

About PrivacyStar
Founded in late 2008, PrivacyStar is the only service to include real-time caller ID, unlimited call and text blocking as well the ability to report abusive calls and texts directly to federal agencies. PrivacyStar has blocked over 100 million calls and filed over 500,000 complaints directly with the Federal Trade Commission for Do Not Call and Fair Debt Collections Practices Act violations on behalf of our customers.

For regular PrivacyStar updates follow us at www.twitter.com/PrivacyStar, become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PrivacyStar or visit www.PrivacyStar.com.

PrivacyStar is a registered trademark of First Orion Corp. All registered or unregistered trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners.

SOURCE PrivacyStar