Cell Phone Concierge

Consumer education

Glossary

Plain-language definitions of phone-handling terms: screening, routing, forwarding, consent, retention, and the emergency-call limitation.

Core terms

  • Call screening — finding out who is calling and why before it reaches you.
  • Call forwarding — a carrier feature that sends calls to another number; how most concierges receive calls.
  • Priority caller — someone you designate to always reach you.
  • Data retention — how long a service keeps information about you and your callers.
  • Emergency-call limitation — a concierge is not 911, dispatch, or medical alert; never rely on it to summon help.

Educational only. Cell Phone Concierge does not rate or rank specific providers. Not an emergency service — call 911 for emergencies.