Caller ID woes...

When do advertisers go to far...?!?

Is there such thing as a Caller ID feature that will disallow 'Unavailable' or 'Unknown' numbers from getting through, or is the best idea to buy one of those things (not sure what they're called) from Radio Shack which will allow you to make a message saying that you will not accept solicitations before the phone rings in your home?

 

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Yes. No.

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Your phone company can tell you how to set up you plan so that unidentified calls are not put through. The drawback can be that someone might not be able to reach you in an emergency - some pay and cell phones do not transmit there ID.

As for the Zapper thingie... it supposedly works, but could soon be out of date as technology continues to advance. Call centers are now exploring a device that disables a call-zapper. There is a thread in SciForums somewhere, but I cannot find it.

:m: Peace.

 

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Thanks, Goofyfish. Zappers, huh? Hmm... Gotta look into that. I'm jonesin' for one. Hee-hee. I'm at home all day with the punkins and although I have:

• Called the number to be Opted-out [1-888-5 OPT OUT] through EquiFax, TransUnion, and ... uh, can't remember the other one... to stop credit card solicitations,
• And used other Privacy Rights-related information to stop the calls and the junk mail,
• And added our name to the Missouri No-Call list... still.

The bothersome advertisment and solicitation still persists. I know it's a problem that everyone is facing, but can it really be stopped? I read on MSN.com today that some companies would "risk the $11,000 fine" than to stop the harassment. I've, also, read sources where attempts are being made to stop spam emails, but can it really be stopped? Spam email is almost like crack houses. The cops shut one down, and another one pops up next door. Arrg.I understand that companies rely on advertisement to help their business but when does it go to far and becomes harassment?

 

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Another option is for you to use your computer as an answering machine. Set the computer to usually pickup after 5 rings, but if the number is blocked, have it pickup after 1. That way you don't miss any calls, and only screen the ones which are probably solicitation.

 

[Persol]: Hmm.... Interesting idea. How would I go about doing that, and can I still set it up to plug my phone into my computer while using broadband or does it only work for dial-up, or do I have to purchase a product to do this?

 

I'm not sure how you have your broadband hooked up, but it sounds like the phone line is plugged directly in(?). Assuming that, you probably have a spliter/filter further down the line. One of the splits goes to the computer, the other to the phones. You'd need to have one of the normal phone lines also going into your computer into a dialup modem.

Assuming you have a dialup modem, and can hook everything up, there's a bunch of software available.

Just searching download.com I found:
Ancyba Answering Machine 1.1
http://download.com.com/3000-2349-10150657.html?tag=lst-4-6

This doesn't seem to have all the functionality though.... it might be something you have to buy.... still looking

 

Ok, found some stuff, but it'll cost you and possibly take some time to set it up. At download.com:
Answer Machine Plus 3.0 - $25, with a trial period to see if it works for you. It seems to have the needed functions.

There's probably something better, but cnet keeps crashing on me.

 

important question!

Some ______ (insert worst insult here) calls me once almost every night from 12 midnight to 3 am, hangs up right after i get the phone. It's been going on for ab six months. I dont have a caller id. is there any way i can get rid of the _____? or find out who it is?

 

Assuming US, type *69 after he hangs up. It'll tell you the number. If it's unlisted call the phone company. After 3 complaints they'll block the guy from calling you. They used to treat it like this, not sure if they still do.