VoIP to Fuel Plague of 'Dialing for Dollars'/Spam

Ant writes "Broadband Reports says Internet News is exploring how telemarketers world-wide are realizing they can dodge long-distance costs (and U.S. "Do Not Call" restraints) by voice spamming VoIP users. Different from SPIT (spam over internet telephony) because it's not automated, an analyst in the article predicts homes and businesses could see some 150 calls a day from overseas call centers."

Comments

The ring that keeps on ringing

[erick99]

I am surprised that this hasn't happened sooner but I believe it will happen. I wonder what sort of culture shock we will have when our home telephones are rendered useless because they ring non-stop? I am getting just over 400 email spam a day so 100 to 150 phone calls a day (especially at a cost of only a penny or so each according to the article) seems believable. While spam filtering rids me of all but two or three email spam a day in my inbox, is there a technology that will do the same for my home phone. God, this sure will be interesting (and yes, I understand I have employed a bit of hyperbole).

Re:The ring that keeps on ringing

[dsginter]

Here's what I don't get:

There exist many methods for anti-spam authentication. Why hasn't someone implemented one of them in an "Email 2.0" style service with the single feature being "not compatible with existing email, including spam"? After the first service opened up for business, there would be more. And more. Until Spam was gone for good.

We can see that people are getting to the point of ditching it entirely so why not move to something that fixes the problem at the expense of backward compatibility? This befuddles me to no end. I'd sign up in a heartbeat and so would everyone email user that I know.

Can we just FUCK backward compatibility for once? Why is it so damn important?

Silly Idea

[fembots]

What happens if the cost of each almost-continuous call is incremental?

Say the first 10 VOIP calls are free, and if you make the 11th call within 5 minutes of the 10th call, you pay 1 cent, and if you make your 12th call within 5 minutes of your 11th call, you pay 2 cents, then 4 cents, 8 cents and so on.

Private callers shouldn't have to pay anything due to the engaging nature of personal calls.

Businesses will have to register to get exemption from the charges, thus easily identifiable.

Like spam filters, this won't stop spammers from spamming, but hopefully it's enough to make it less profitable.

We didn't see email spams coming, but we should definitely do something on VOIP when we have the opportunity.

What?

[bigtallmofo]

You mean U.S. laws don't apply everywhere? We should get that law changed!

They will throw themselves upon the firewalls...

[FyRE666]

Russia, China, India... Who'd have thought these would be new sources of spam?! I routinely block these domains/net blocks from sending email into our networks (along with a few of the other well known spam sludge pits), so would it really be that difficult to firewall out all VOIP traffic from these places too? Maybe if enough people just cut them off they'd change their attitudes to providing havens for (mostly) American spam "companies".

In fact, I'd imagine these call centres would be easier to firewall off the 'net than spammers, as it would be harder to switch net blocks once a blackhole service was set up to list the offending address ranges.

Not automated. Hmm

[wowbagger]

So, when one of these turkeys calls me, I can keep them on the line until I traceroute where his call is coming from, then go after him and his ISP with any number of legal charges as well as possible DDoSs.

Yes, that sounds like a GREAT way to make money.

Herm wait . . .

[OverlordQ]

so the DNCL only covers POTS Spam? IMO my number is in there, so no matter where they're coming from or through, be it POTS or VoiP they can't call me, further more theres'a nice tidbit on that DNCL site:

33. Are telemarketing calls from overseas covered?

Yes. Any telemarketers calling U.S. consumers are covered, regardless of where they are calling from. If a company within the U.S. solicits sales through an overseas professional telemarketer, that U.S. company may be liable for any violations by the telemarketer. The FTC can initiate enforcement actions against such companies.

Re:They will throw themselves upon the firewalls..

[Hoi Polloi]

"Russia, China, India... Who'd have thought these would be new sources of spam?!"

Make sure you add to your list America's own 2nd/3rd world state, Florida.

Sad, But True.

[Threatis]

As someone who worked as a Telemarketer for about a year, i can tell you that this will happen. the company that I recently worked for was putting together a "voIP team" to tackle all the new tech popping up around it. Sad that this is the world we live in now, where people feel the only way to sell a product is to market it directy to someone over something as personal as a Telephone.

Re:Sue them!!!

[Profane MuthaFucka]

Go to the Sheriff with the judgement and hire him to go in and start confiscating property. Show up with the Sheriff to helpfully point out particular items that they should take. The Sheriff with sell the items at auction, take his cut, give you the rest. At that time you will have the opportunity to purchase (along with the rest of the public) some of the choice items that you suggested the Sheriff should take, cheap. If it weren't for mechanisms such as this, nobody would pay any judgements. Make the system work for you.