Hiya does not screen the calls - the calling number is identified on the first ring, much like caller ID. Even if you have that number blocked, you get that first ring.
They've recently changed their business model, and there is now a premium ($) service that identifies callers and automatically blocks numbers that are known to be scammers or spammers. Those features used to be in the free version, but now you will just be alerted if an incoming number has been reported to be from a known scammer - you have to manually block the number yourself.
It was a mildly annoying change, but they have to be able to monetize their product, so I don't have a problem with it. For those of us who are of a certain age - TANSTAAFL. I read recently that one of the cell providers - I think it's T-Mobile - has selected Hiya as the anti-spam solution they will be rolling out. Verizon and AT&T have also selected solutions form other vendors that will be rolled out soon. |