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More on Scammers Abusing TTY Services

Posted by michael on from the low-down-no-good-dirty-rotten-scoundrels dept.

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.

2 of 192 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Kill the broken service, it's not needed. by shrubya · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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?

  2. Re:Kill the broken service, it's not needed. by MarvinIsANerd · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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.