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Ultimate Caller ID Screeners?
omasse asks: "I'm sick of telemarketing. Really sick. And since I'm in Canada, the new U.S. telemarketing law won't change a thing for me. The only easy solution is a technological one, and it ought to be fully transparent: No phone in my house should ring at all if it's an undesired call, and friends and family should not have to enter a 5-digit code to make them ring. To my knowledge, the only gadget that could do this is a sharp filter based on caller ID that I plug in my main phone drop. But Digitone's Caller
ID Screener has been announced some time ago, there are no guarantees they'll meet their fall 2003 deadline, and I would prefer having a few products to chose from. There's been a discussion here once on a
DIY home PBX system but that's way, way overkill for me. Could anyone tell me what are the ultimate Caller ID Screeners?"
"Restrictions apply to all telemarketers, although they may differ depending on whether they use a fax or a telephone. As a minimum, telemarketers must maintain "Do not call/fax lists" and provide customers with a fax or telephone number where a responsible person can be reached. Specific rules are included at the end of this document."
This is the best part:
"What are the consequences if telemarketers don't follow the rules? Telephone companies can notify these telemarketers that telephone service to the lines used in connection with placing calls (telephone or fax) may be suspended or disconnected within two business days."
um... phone company may cut off their most lucrative paying customers... sure... I'm sure their quivering in their boots now... Not only do you have to chase the buggers, then you have to pester the phone company, and then they just change the company name and keep going. Not even a fine.
Canadians are so ... wimpy^H^H^H^H^H understanding and sympathetic.