5 search results for "nomorobo"

Spoofed Telephone Calls (Mar 2019)

Technology Tips – Published March 2019 in the Guide and Digest

By Don Trauger – Kennett

A spoofed telephone call can be described as an unknown caller using a fake name and telephone phone number to contact you to obtain your personal information so they can scam you. Previously I have written about enabling Nomorobo at http:\\\\www.hersheysmill.org//?s=nomorobo in your Verizon account to handle annoying robo calls. Nomorobo is based on using established fake phone numbers in their database. The problem  is Nomorobo can’t keep up with spoofed calls. These types of calls are generated very quickly, often changing their name and caller ID number with every call. Nomorobo is still effective but  less so now compared to spoofed calls.

 

Unfortunately some HM residents have been victimized by two types of calls loosing thousands of dollars. Both types are out to separate you from your money and, worse yet, they may have your personal information if you have given it to them. One of the most common types revolves around computer security problems. You can see computer security intrusions by a pop-up window on your computer or by an incoming phone call with caller ID purportedly from Microsoft, Apple and other fake companies. No legitimate company will ever call you about your computer whether you’re having a problem or not. The only exception could be that you called them first and asked to be called back. Computer intrusions (malware) can be detected and removed by Malwarebytes Free at https://www.malwarebytes.com/.

 

Years ago we used to answer almost all phone calls as there were hardly any scams out there. Now we need to be vigilant against such scam calls. If you answer the phone beware that these people are very slick. They are experienced in dealing with others and are convincing in their dialog. My advice is to not answer any incoming calls if you don’t recognize the name or number. If it’s an important call, but you don’t recognize it, let it go to your voice messaging system. The best part here is that incoming scam calls rarely if ever leave a message.

 

Now for more good news. The FCC has mandated all telecommunications companies (Verizon, Comcast, etc.) must implement techniques in 2019 to insure incoming calls come from legitimate sources, making sure that the calls are not spoofed. More on caller ID Spoofing at https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/spoofing-and-caller-id and  https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/finally-the-fcc-is-cracking-down-on-caller-id-spoofing.

 

For a discussion on this subject please attend the PC Club meeting on the 3rd Tuesday March 19, 2019 at 7 PM in the Community Center or other location designated if construction starts in the Community Center.

Robo Calls and FIOS (May 2018)

 

Technology Tips – Published May 2018 in the Guide and Digest

By Don Trauger – Kennett

For Verizon FIOS Digital Voice Users – Annoying Robo Calls

Would you like a way to block unwanted telephone calls? It’s far superior to the Do Not Call List and from a personal experience I find it blocks well over 90 % of incoming unwanted calls. This free service will interact with your incoming phone calls and determine if they are robo calls. After the service is set up any incoming robo call that rings your phone number will produce 1 ring and the caller ID says “Incoming call”. You should not answer this type of call. All other incoming calls will ring normally depending on how you set the number of rings on your phone before the call goes to voicemail. This article is an update about NoMoRobo from July’s 2017 Guide & Digest and how it pertains to Verizon FIOS telephone users.

To start go to https://www.nomorobo.com/. At the Nomorobo site click the “Get Started Now” button to create your free account. Scroll down and click the down arrow at the far right of Step 1. Choose “Verizon FIOS Digital Voice”. In Step 2 enter your email address. Click Next and you will receive an Email from NoMoRoBo to the address entered in step 2. Click the blue button that says “Click Here to Setup NoMoRoBo”. Login into your account using the Email address in Step 2 and include any password. If you had NoMoRoBo for your Comcast Digital Phone, you can use the same password for Verizon. Next, go back to the NoMoRoBo home (main) page and click Questions. Click on “NoMoRoBo Landline Setup”. Click “See all 24 articles” then click “Verizon FIOS”. Follow the instructions and click on “FIOS Digital Voice Account Manager”. Login to your Verizon account. Complete your information then do Step 2 and click “Enable NoMoRoBo on FIOS Digital Voice Line” Below Step 2 are the remaining instructions with pictures to help you complete the NoMorobo setup.

Don’t forget to setup your Set-top box so you can get Caller ID on your TV screen. It’s very handy when your phone is not nearby.

To set up Caller ID on your Fios TV, follow these basic steps using your Fios remote control, press: Menu > Settings > Notifications > Caller ID > Check Availability,

A message will display to indicate that Caller ID is either available or unavailable.

If Caller ID is Available, press OK when prompted, select Yes to enable Caller ID, press OK. If Caller ID is Unavailable, you currently do not meet the equipment or service requirements, press OK.

Note: Once Caller ID is activated, it may take 24–48 hours to see alerts. You must activate Caller ID on each Set-top Box where you want the service.

The PC Club covers Windows 10 and older Windows versions as well as our new FIOS system. We meet the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7 PM upstairs in the Ardmore room of the Community Center.

FIOS tips

This is an old page. FIOS tips have been consolidated in our FiOS Information page which is located in The Mill section of our website. 

Several FIOS articles have been published in the Tech Tips section of the Guide and Digest. They are published on this website too, often a month or 2 before the magazine arrives in your mail box, and we keep them in one place so they can be found easily.

Here is a shortcut to the Tech Tips section of this website.

Comcast X1 plus Robo Calls (July 2017)

Technology Tips – Published July 2017 in the Guide and Digest

By Don Trauger – Kennett

 

  1. Watching Channel 20 with a Comcast Xfinity X1 Box

  2. Block Annoying Robo Calls

 

Viewing Channel 20 with a Xfinity X1 TV set top box remains a problem based on resident input coming in to Channel 20. The following information was printed in the June 2016 issue of the Guide & Digest and has been updated where necessary.

 

Many of you have contacted Channel 20 saying you can’t receive our channel after having Comcast install their newest model, the Xfinity X1 box. Although we are not in position to solve TV problems (that’s best left to Comcast), the fact that our own channel was not viewable got our attention. The difficulty lies in the set up of the X1 box. The problem is that when you input “20” on the remote and press OK you end up watching HSN in HD mode. The following are instructions to change a setting in the X1 box to allow you to view Channel 20.

 

  1. Press the Xfinity button on the remote and using the right arrow button, navigate to the “Gear” button at the far right. Press OK.
  2. Using the down arrow button, go to Preferences and press OK.
  3. Go to General and press OK.
  4. Press the down arrow to go to Auto Tune to HD and press OK to turn it off.
  5. Press Exit to end.

 

Now you should be able to input “20” on the remote and receive our channel. But hold on – there are other ways to get 20. If you have the voice activated type remote just say “channel 20”. It will take you there instantly. There’s a third way – just enter “18” into the remote then use the channel up button to go to “19”. Press again for Channel 20.

 

The second part of this article only applies to those of you that have Comcast telephone service along with your Comcast Internet and TV service, usually called the Triple Play. Sorry Verizon customers, you are out of luck until June of 2018.

 

Go to https://www.nomorobo.com/. This free service will interact with your incoming phone calls and determine if they are robo calls. If they are, they will be blocked from ringing your phone more than once. If you hear only one ring you’ll know that it was a robo call and Nomorobo is doing its job. Once at the Nomorobo site click the “Get Started Now” button to create your free account. In Step 1, under “Choose your landline carrier”, choose Comcast XFINITY. In Step 2 enter your email address. When you press Next, you will receive further instructions via an email sent to you. In the email message click “Click Here to Setup Nomorobo”. Login into your account to complete the setup. You will also need to get into your Comcast Voice preferences to add the Nomorobo phone number to divert any robo calls. If you encounter any problems you can click Questions on the main Nomorobo screen, then click Nomorobo Setup and choose Comcast. I’ve been using this service for almost 2 years and it blocks virtually all robo calls without interfering with normal calls.

 

 

The PC Club meetings are open to all regardless of computer experience. If you have questions that need to be answered, be sure to attend on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7 PM upstairs in the Community Center.

 

FiOS Information

Instructions, How To’s and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

This page is separated into 4 sections.

Section 1 is a description of Hershey’s Mill Verizon FiOS. Just scroll down a little for this section.

Section 2 deals with new owners, sellers, unoccupied homes, renters and landlords. Go to Section 2

Section 3 is an extensive group of information packets and FAQ’s that are sequenced alphabetically.Go to Section 3

Section 4 is just a few more FiOS tips that did not seem to fit in the first 3 sections.Go to Section 4
We may eventually move these to a more suitable place.

For your convenience all documents can be printed since they are in pdf format.  Look for the printer icon after you click on ‘Click Here’.  You should read through the document first since several are lengthy.  

1. Verizon FiOS & Hershey’s Mill Triple Play Bulk Plan

NOTE: All information provided is subject to change at any time.  Procedures may change, technology may change, channels may change, pricing for add-ons may change – in short, anything may change. The various authors, the Hershey’s Mill Master Association, Managing Agents, any paid personnel, staff, coordinators or consultants, or any volunteers contributing to the information contained Here are not liable for its accuracy or subject to any liability for any changes or inaccuracies.  There is no duty to maintain or update the information available here. The Information provided here is to the best of our understanding and knowledge at this time. We apologize in advance for any errors or inconvenience that may be caused for any changes or misinformation.

Verizon FiOS Information – Do Not call 1-800-Verizon for any reason.

This is a Retail number and Hershey’s Mill is a Verizon FiOS Triple Play Bulk Community.

  • The FIOS KEEP SHEET has important information about your FIOS account including contact telephone numbers
  • Remember for Tech Support the number is 1-888-553-1555.  Can’t wait for FiOS Tech Support?  Click here for two options.

What is included in the HM Bulk Package?

The Verizon Bulk Plan includes –

  • Preferred HDTV (approximately 335 channels: 255 Standard and 80 HD Channels – the number and type may fluctuate)
  • One (1) HD Set Top Box
  • One Dual Band Router
  • Internet – 150 Mg Upload and Download Speeds
  • Phone/Voice (Dial Tone) with Unlimited Calling Nationwide, Canada and Puerto Rico

Section 2.

New Home Owners, Sellers, Unoccupied Homes, Renters, Landlords

Moving In, Moving Out, Moving Between Homes within Hershey’s Mill

The Alarm Panels within all homes, except Ashton Village homes, must have dial tone to send an Alarm Signal to Security. Sellers and Renters are responsible for maintaining telephone service through Settlement Day for Sellers and Move Out Day for Renters. New Home Owners, no matter the actual Move In Date, are responsible for providing telephone service the Day After Settlement Day. Landlords are responsible for providing telephone service the Day after Move Out Day through the next Move In Day, in between Renters occupancy.  There is no extra cost for this as phone service is included in the Hershey’s Mill/Verizon FiOS Bulk Plan.  However, an account must be set up through Verizon.

New Home Owners (update 5/8/19) : Click Here

Moving Out Instructions, Sellers and Unoccupied Homes (updated: 09/07/23 :Click Here

Renters & Landlords:  Click Here

Landlords & Phone Only Between Renters: Click Here 

Moving Between Homes in Hershey’s Mill (update 5/8/19) : Click Here

MORE INFORMATION for New Home Owners, Sellers, Unoccupied Homes, Renters and Landlords: (We suggest reading through the Instructions, How To’s and Answers to FAQ below also.)

  1. Alarm Panel Self Tests: How To – It is Easy! Click Here
  2. Battery Back Up/PowerReserve –
    • Why Install a Battery Back Up/Power Reserve? Click Here
    • Technical Details from the Designing Engineer Click Here
    • Self Install Instructions Click Here
    • Pick Up Instructions Click Here
    • How to change the batteries in the Battery Backup Unit. Click Here
  3. The Verizon FiOS Preferred Plan Channel Line-up is in the small black Welcome Envelope that you will receive from the Verizon installer. Ask for one if the Tech does not give you one.
  4. Digital Adapters – Click Here
  5. IR Extenders for IR Remotes. Click Here
  6. Keep Sheet: Has many FAQ’s and Answers. Click Here
  7. Multiple Phone Lines within One Home. Click Here
  8. Phone Service Only. Click Here
  9. Pre, During and Post Installation: things to know and do Before, During and After installation. Click Here
  10. Vacation Suspension. Click Here
  11. verizon.com: Visit the website to learn detailed information on using your TV Remote, DVR, FiOS Mobile App and More.

 

Section 3.

Instructions, How To’s & Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

—–A—–

Alarm Panel Self Tests: How To – It is Easy! Click Here  

Amazon Firestick: How to set it up. Click Here 

Amazon Echo (Alexa) and Voice Commands with Verizon FiOS Interaction, Click Here
The Verizon page on Amazon Alexa –   https://www.verizon.com/home/fios-tv-voice-control-alexa.html

APPS:

  • FiOS TV App – download from the App Store: Watch live TV and stream On Demand to all your devices. Record programs remotely. Use Voice Search for programming, stars, or channels such as ABC, NBC, CBS by tapping the mic icon and speaking. Click Here
  • My FiOS App – Download from the App Store: This gives you the ability to manage accounts, control, test and manage your Television, Internet and Telephone and much more, Click Here 

—–B—–

Battery Back Up/PowerReserve Information:

  • Why Install a Battery Back Up/PowerReserve? Click Here
  • Technical Details from the Designing Engineer. Click Here
  • Self Install Instructions. Click Here
  • Pick Up Instructions. Click Here
  • How to change the batteries in the Battery Backup Unit. Click Here

Blocking an Individual Phone Number From Ringing At Your Number. Click Here

Boxes – What are the Verizon Boxes installed in my home? Click Here

—–C—–

Cable Cards. Click Here

Cable Installation & Alarm Repair Companies. Click Here

Caller ID on TV – How to Enable. Click Here

Caller ID on TV with Pictures. Click Here 

Channel Line Up Information

  • Special Channels: HMCTV (formerly channel 20) = 1970/1971; Netflix Subscribers = 838; Game Show Network (Ultimate channel lineup only) = 184/684; TCM (Turner Classic Movies) (Preferred and Ultimate channel lineups) = 230.   Channel 131– Tune your Television to Channel 131: to watch short videos on how to get help setting up Controls, Voice Mail and More.
  • Channel Line Up included in the HM Bulk Contract: Preferred Channel line-up as of Nov 2017, Click Here
  • Channel Line Ups for All Verizon FiOS Channel Plan Options: as of February 2017, Click Here
  • Channel Line Ups for a Comparison of Verizon FiOS Channel Plan Options. Click Here
  • Channel Listing (HD only) in larger print, Click Here  Note that it does not identify the channels by package (Preferred or Extreme or Ultimate or Custom or Premium).  Note, it does not list the SD channels (digital adapter).
  • Favorite Channels: How to save your favorite channels, Click Here.
  • Music Channels: Numerical Guide to Music from Verizon FiOS with Remote tips, Click Here.
  • Music Channels – a one page Alphabetical listing: click here.
  • Music & TV Channel Instructions. Click Here
  • Sports Channels. Click Here
  • Up To Date Verizon FiOS Channel Listings. Click Here

Complaints, Compliments and Suggestions. Click Here

—–D—–

Digital Adapters. Click Here

DVD Players. Click Here

—–E—–

Email Information – You Can You Keep Your Email Address and How to Access. Click Here

Extenders and Router Locations: Click Here

—–F—–

Favorite Channels: How to save your favorite channels, Click Here.

FiOS TV App – download from the App Store: Watch live TV and stream On Demand to all your devices. Record programs remotely. Use Voice Search for programming, stars, or channels such as ABC, NBC, CBS by tapping the mic icon and speaking. Click Here.

—–G—–

Guide Font Size – How to make the Guide on your Television easier to read, Click Here

—–H—–

Introductory Verizon FIOS help can be seen on channel 131 (once you get FIOS). Tuning to channel 131 may help answer questions or solve problems you may be experiencing.The short videos include how to get help setting up Controls, Voice Mail and More.

HMCTV (was Hershey’s Mill Channel 20) can be seen on 2 Verizon FIOS channels, 1970 and 1971. Please report any problems viewing HMCTV to our office at 610-436-5922.

—–I—–

Internet Speed, Testing, Trouble Shooting & Solutions, Click Here

IR Extenders for IR Remotes, Click Here

—–K—–

Keep Sheet – has FAQ’s and Important Phone Numbers Click Here

—–L—–

Large Button Remotes: Ordering Information and to see the two Remotes that are available. Click Here

Last Channel: To Power On to Last Viewed Channel: Click Here

—–M—–

Movies – Slow Internet or Trouble Streaming Movies, Click Here 

Moving Between Homes in Hershey’s Mill (update 5/8/19) : Click Here

Moving In Instructions, (update 5/8/19), Click Here 

Moving Out Instructions, Sellers, and Unoccupied Homes (update 5/8/19), Click Here 

My FiOS App – Download from the App Store: This gives you the ability to manage accounts, control, test and manage your Television, Internet and Telephone and much more, Click Here

—–N—–

Netflix is available on Channel 838 – this is a subscription service.  If you already subscribe, go to 838 & sign in under your subscription information.  If you would like to subscribe, go to the Netflix website, subscribe, then go to channel 838 and sign in.

No Dial Tone. Click Here

No Dial Tone After Power Outage & Alarm Panel Issues? Click Here

—–O—–

On Demand vs DVR vs APPS:Tips regarding Free Network Apps vs. $On Demand vs DVR.  Click Here

Opening Banner on TV – How to Remove, Click Here

—–P—–

Password Change – How to change your WIFI Network Name and Password. Click Here

TV Automatically Powering Off? Click Here

—–Q—–

QAM Tuners – How Use Your TV with a QAM Tuner.  Click Here

—–R—–

Rings – Changing the Number of Rings on Your Home Phone Before the Call Goes to Voice Mail, Click Here. 

Remote Control – Learn about your Remote.

Router Locations and Extenders (Also Called Second Routers). Click Here

RoBo Calls: Nomorobo is a third-party service that can help block robocalls and telemarketers from calling your Fios Digital Voice home phone.  Click Here   To watch a video, go to: https://www.verizon.com/support/residential/consumer-education/robocalls/nomorobo.htm

—–S—–

Slow Internet or Trouble Streaming Movies. Click Here

—–T—–

Telephone – Changing the Number of Rings on Your Home Phone Before the Call Goes to Voice Mail, Click Here.

Telephone Numbers: Verizon Telephone Numbers for Accounts, Billing Questions, Upgrades, Downgrades, Changes in Services or Equipment, Technical Support, On Line Account Support. Click Here

TV App Verizon “FiOS TV” App – download from the App Store: Watch live TV and stream On Demand to all your devices. Record programs remotely. Use Voice Search for programming, stars, or channels such as ABC, NBC, CBS by tapping the mic icon and speaking. Click Here

TV Automatically Powering Off? Click Here

TV not working? Click Here

—–V—–

Vacation Suspension. Click Here: 

Voice Mail Set Up: Voice Mail will be a New Voice Mail. Activate your Fios Digital Voice Mail service by dialing 1-888-234-6786 from your home phone. Your password will be the last 4 digits of your telephone number. You may change your Password after setting up Voice Mail. Follow the prompts. Click Here

Voice Mail Access: To Access Your Home Voice Mail after Activation or After Setting It Up: Dial 1-888-234-6786 or from your home phone dial *86. Follow the prompts. Click Here

Voice Mail & Answering Machines,  Click Here:

Verizon “FiOS TV” App – download from the App Store: Watch live TV and stream On Demand to all your devices. Record programs remotely. Use Voice Search for programming, stars, or channels such as ABC, NBC, CBS by tapping the mic icon and speaking. Click here

Verizon FIOS – WelcometoFiOS.verizon.com: Visit the website to learn detailed information on using your TV Remote, DVR, FiOS Mobile App and More.

Videos – Instructional Videos on FiOS topics. Click Here

Viewing Archived Television Programming: Alternate Ways To Watch Archived Television Programming. Click Here

Voice Remote – see Remote

—–W—–

Watching FiOS TV when away from Hershey’s Mill. Click Here

WelcometoFiOS.verizon.com: Visit the website to learn detailed information on using your TV Remote, DVR, FiOS Mobile App and More.

WiFi (Internet)

  • WiFi – Instructions for Connecting your device to WiFi. Click Here
  • Finding your WiFi ID and Password. Click Here
  • Changing your WiFi ID and Password. Click Here

 

Section 4.

Additional tips

    • The FIOS KEEP SHEET has important information about your FIOS account including contact telephone numbers
    • Restore the FIOS remote’s Last button functionality back to its original operation.

      Press the Menu button on the remote, go to Settings & press OK. Press OK on System. Go to Television & press OK. Scroll down to Last Watch Rail & press OK. Press the down button to highlight Disable & press OK. Press Exit on the remote.

    • Old Comcast information Although this was written to help HM residents during the the transition to FiOS, it may still contain useful information for Newer Residents who are former Comcast customers.
    • Netflix is available on Channel 838 (easier than the Widget) – this is a subscription service.  If you already subscribe, set up & sign in under your subscription information.
    • Power On to Last Viewed Channel
      Using the remote-select: Menu>Settings>System>Media Server Settings>Power On Channel. Press OK and you will have a choice of FIOS1 News Channel or Last Channel Viewed.

 

 

Several FIOS articles have been published in the Tech Tips section of the Guide and Digest. They are published on this website too, often a month or 2 before the magazine arrives in your mail box, and we keep them in one place so they can be found easily.

Here is a shortcut to the Tech Tips section of this website.