[taxcontrol]

Since this is most likely a cooperate automated fax systems, there are two possible solutions.

1) simply receive the fax. That works if it is a single fax and the message is not part of some marketing effort.

2) Another option is to tell the sending computer that this is no longer a working number. This will cause most commercial fax applications to take your number off the list.

To accomplish this, get a small cassette recorder and dial a none working number. One of the ways to fine a none working number is to start with your number and add a 1 and dial. It takes a little bit but odds are you will find a none working number in 25 attempts. Once you have found a none working number, hang up and get your cassette recorder ready to record. Call the number again and record the Beep beep BEEP tones. These are the tones that tell computer systems that this is a none working number.

Then change your answering machine message. Start the recording with the three tones, pause for a second or two, then record your greeting.

After that, all you will need to do is screen your calls. When an automated fax program calls your number it will hear those tones and record your number as a none working number and take it off their fax list. Sounds complicated but it is not really.

Try receiving the fax first. If you still get the calls, go to the backup plan. BTW, the three tone solution works well against telemarketers as well.

[MaeWest]

Surely, somewhere on the web there is a recording of the magic 'beep,beap,bepe' that could be used without hunting for an unused number.
I keep getting spam faxes for "vacation specials". They pretend they are from "corporate travel office" or the HR department passing on a special offer for the employees. They have the same format but with different phone numbers on them. Grrrrrrr.