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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!harpo!decvax!ittvax!dcdwest!sdcsvax!bob
From: bob@sdcsvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Junk Phone Calls (summary)
Message-ID: <581@sdcsvax.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 10-Mar-84 13:45:59 EST
Article-I.D.: sdcsvax.581
Posted: Sat Mar 10 13:45:59 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 13-Mar-84 19:48:23 EST
Organization: EECS Dept., U.C. San Diego
Lines: 52

I started this discussion of junk phone calls with a flame about automated
"prospecting" machines.  I received 33 responses, all of them in some way
negative.

Legally (at least in California), the machines must be registered, and a
human being must GET YOUR PERMISSION before starting the tape.  Also, the
machines MUST FREE THE LINE within 30 seconds if you hang up.  Apparently,
these rules are violated more than they are upheld.  The auto disconnect is
hard to do, but NOT doing it is a menace to society.  Three people reported
cases of medical emergency where the machine continued its pitch.  One (a
choking baby) was on the national news, and provoked this comment:

    Everyone targeted by these machines should feed their babies food in
    large chunks.  The huge law suits resulting from not being able to call
    for help would deter the cold hearted bastards.

A BTL employee suggested three-way calling to avoid the problem; but why
should we pay for somebody else's illegal conduct?  Several people feel that
automated solicitation should be outlawed.  Some suggested a registration
that would prohibit *ALL* solicitation to the phone number.  Two people
thought that existing local solicitation laws might come into play.

I also asked for "fight-back" tactics.  The easiest thing, of course, is to
hang up (6 replies).  You'll still have to drop what you're doing to answer
the phone.  Six people thought that revenge was sweet -- using an
autodialer to annoy the company president at all hours of the night.  This
is probably illegal, but you COULD call the guy PERSONALLY whenever his
machine bothers you.  This might be a good idea anyway (3 replies), because
the sales department "has a tendency to forget unpleasant facts."

Here are some other ideas people sent.  You could forward your calls to
some disinterested agency (like the PUC or the police non-emergency
number).  You could make an appointment for a live salesman, and give the
address of (say) the Better Business Bureau.  One person read aloud from
"The Brain-Stealers of Mars".  He gave the name of the main character. When
asked for his phone number "so we won't call you again", he replied "0".
Another respondent says you should act demented for ANY salesman (stare at
them, play Residents albums, and discuss Adolf Hitler and what a fun guy he
was).

Most of the machines are voice-actuated, so they'll record as long as you
talk.  You can read a book, play Wagner's Ring cycle, or leave the
mouthpiece near the TV.  One person whistles; another complains about
invasion of privacy.  Here's the winner:

    My wife used to hand the phone to our 2 yeard-old who loves to "talk"
    on the phone.

A novel, but unlikely, suggestion, was to castrate anybody who intrudes on
your house.  Another wistful idea was sending 1000 volts AC into the
machine's input.  I'll close with somebody's comment that "that this is the
international year of BIG BROTHER so there is no escape..."