Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site sdcsvax.UUCP 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..."