Abstract: A method and apparatus for blocking unwanted and unsolicited messages (spam) in telecommunications networks. A terminating terminal is assigned a security code. In order to access the terminating terminal, the caller must supply this security code as well as the identification of the called terminal. If the correct security code has not been supplied with the call, the call is blocked. Advantageously, a called party can block all calls or messages except those originating from users who have been supplied with this security code.

Abstract: An abbreviated dialing code capability is introduced to a telephone calling card (prepaid or postpaid) system. A calling card account customer can, via an intelligent network (IN) dial a recognized abbreviated dialing code in place of a full-length destination telephone number. A table of abbreviated codes and corresponding telephone numbers is stored for each calling card account. The calling card account subscriber or calling card customer (if given access by the calling subscriber when they are not the same person or entity) can modify the table by changing the destination number associated with a particular code, or changing the abbreviated code by changing the actual digits in the code, the number of digits, designating start, stop or cancel digits, or combinations of the above. The IN includes a service switching point (SSP) and a service control point (SCP).