Verizon Communications, New York, said yesterday it has introduced a new service for caller-ID users in selected parts of its coverage area that blocks unidentified calls.
Known as Call Intercept, the service will be available to Verizon customers in Delaware and northern New Jersey as well as Philadelphia and Washington within the next two weeks. Calls that appear on a caller-ID device as unavailable or anonymous will automatically be blocked.
The caller will hear a message saying that the Call Intercept subscriber does not accept unidentified calls. The caller will then have an opportunity to leave a message.
Call Intercept will ring the subscriber's phone and relay the message. The subscriber will then have the opportunity to accept the call, reject the call or direct it to voice mail.
The subscriber also will have the option to send an automatic message to callers saying, “The person you are calling does not accept phone solicitations. Please add them to your do-not-call list.” The options can be executed by pressing the number keys on a telephone.
Subscribers to the service will be able to get a four-digit personal identification number to give to family and friends. The number can be used to bypass Call Intercept.
Verizon will offer the service for $5 per month or $4 per month if purchased as part of a package of Verizon services.
