Consumers can sign up to stop telemarketing calls (Texas)

Houston Chronicle ^ | Dec. 22, 2001 | JANETTE RODRIGUES

[dhuffman@awod.com]

"On top of that - who is to say that it's not a 'switch' malfunction that randomly 'rings' numbers throughout an exchange?? Or my area code?

I trained as a telephone technician for the Navy, though I spent my career in Nuclear Power. I can say that your calls are not due to a "switch" malfunction. The equipment does not likely exist enabling every number in an exchange, let alone an area code, simultaneously.

[_Jim]

I trained as a telephone technician for the Navy, though I spent my career in Nuclear Power. I can say that your calls are not due to a "switch" malfunction. Hey! I know that!

I ALSO know the number of 'patches' we used to apply on a regular basis (almost every evening) to our Ericsson AXE 212 MTSO switches too. Switches that sometimes FAILED in 'call delivery' (it was a cellular system circa 1995).

REMEMBER my *perspective* in this is as a TELCO CUSTOMER -

- NOT a knowledgeable troubleshhooter or a 'network engineer'!

I *want* the source of these calls that won't allow a CALL TRACE to function. YOU KNOW that something is appearing in the SS7 setup messages - and THEY can work to determine *who* and *where* these calls originate.

Sorry to get so d!mned frank with you ...

[mapleleafrag]

we have the "do not call" list in the state of new york. it works with SOME of the callers (i.e. greatly reduces the calls) but does not eliminate them entirely. i'm thinking of getting the telezapper!

[poopsie2]

BB, the Telezapper checks electronically to see if a computer is dialing your number. It verifies that within 2 seconds. If you have been dialed by computer, the box emits electronic info that tells the computer it has reached a disconnected number. The computer then removes your number from its files, so your info is not sold to other predictive dialers.

If you have an answering machine you are instructed to wait 2 or 3 seconds before recording your voice message. The TZ doesn't interfere with caller id or answering machine. It can be plugged into any unused phone jack, a phone, a phone and answering machine, or phone and caller id, or phone/answering machine/caller id. It doesn't effect a caller with your number programmed for autodial either.

Almost all random telemarketers use a system designed to detect disconnected numbers. A single unit takes care of all the phones on one line.

Sorry if this is more info than you wanted. I'm really enthusiastic about this...my phone hasn't wrung for days.

[JoeMomma]

I rarely am bothered by a telemarketer, but when I am, I make sure to waste that idiot's time. I'll fake interest in his product, get him to the point of almost making the sale, and then tell him I'm not interested and say that caller is a sucker for believing my "interest" for all that time, and hang up. Telemarketers live and die by the volume of calls they make, knowing that sales is largely a numbers game. If they're wasting time with someone and not getting a sale, they'll take that number out of rotation quick.

If they seek to waste my time, I'll waste theirs by a much larger margin.

If any of you get solicitation calls, waste their time. Immediate hang ups automatically shuffle your phone # back into the rotation guaranteeing a future call. Waste a telemarketer's time -- it costs them time and other potential sales.