Slashdot Mirror
More on Scammers Abusing TTY Services
edward ericson writes "A more comprehensive look at IP Relay scams and their effect on relay operators, the deaf, US business and the relay providers like Sprint, AT&T and MCI. Unlike a previous piece in the AZ Star, this one shows that the problem is at least a year old, and estimates that the companies have earned at least $23 million by facilitating scams. Anyone here care to discuss IP blocking techniques?" See our previous story for more.
Something else the submitter alluded to, and the article talked about: it looks like there needs to be an incentive to not take bogus phone calls. An incentive either in addition to or instead of an authentication system. Right now, if I read correctly, it seems as if "they" (AT&T, Sprint, etc) are getting paid by volume. That's a green light for greedy execs to sweep the problem under the rug, especially since the law prevents the operators from publically complaining.
Auto-reply to ACs: "Truly, you have a dizzying intellect."
It's more or less proven now that this system is implemented very poorly. IP-based TTY calls should be suspended until an effective authentication solution is in place.
Okay. We should also suspend email, then, right? Because it is implmented very poorly, there is no system of authentication, and it is subject to MASSIVE abuse?
Oh, wait. You want to suspend other people's means of communication, but not your own. My bad.
Actually, I'd be glad to see SMTP e-mail shut down and replaced with something better too.
TTY translation service existed just fine before IP connections were accepted, so it'll be just fine after. I'm not cutting off the old way, just cutting off the new way so that the old way can continue to operate without the public distrusting it...
We should also suspend email, then, right?
I think you missed a teensy little point: the IP relay service is funded by TAX DOLLARS and MANDATORY FEES on all phone bills. The big telcos are making profit at our expense -- they get paid BY THE MINUTE handling phone calls for scammers.
Can you hear me now?
I am legiminately deaf. I have never had a problem ordering things and I use the relay 50-75 times a year. Only once did was a call refused and that was by Ultimate Electronics. I simply proceeded to complain to the headquarters at the shoddy customer service and they promptly apologized and rolled out the red carpet. My family is all deaf as are most of my friends. Your "Legit deaf people can't order things via TTY anymore" is a fallacy.
Keep text logs of the conversation?
Slashdot blows up whenever there is a minor privacy issue but if it concerns deaf people, oh screw them. Keep logs of all their conversation and to hell with their privacy.
Government does not hand out handicapped permits to everyone who asks... but neither do they record the actual usage (location, time, etc) of those permits.
If you really want think text logs of conversations are ok then you are perfectly fine with the government also transcribing hearing people's phone conversations. After all, we want to make sure you are not planning terrorist attacks using your cell phone.