I get quite a few of these marketing calls; quite a few automated dialers
that call my number, but then hang up as soon as I answer, as they don't
have a operative ready to inflict some sales patter upon me. These moronic
companies always withold there phone number, making it difficult to make a
complaint.

On my todo list is to make a (PIC-based) device which:

1/ Detect a ring-signal and listens to the caller-ID sequence
2/ If there is a valid caller-ID, issue a 'please hold' message, make the
house phones ring, connect when answered
3/ If the is no caller-ID, issue a 'This phone line does not accept calls
from withheld numbers' message.

Maybe this device already exists?

Peter Moreton




> -----Original Message-----
> From: pic microcontroller discussion list
> [mailto:PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU] On Behalf Of Sergio Masci
> Sent: 01 August 2004 15:23
> To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> Subject: Re: [OT]: Personal Details by phone (was Job search
> questions)
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Howard Winter <HDRW@H2ORG.DEMON.CO.UK>
> To: <PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
> Sent: Sunday, August 01, 2004 2:20 PM
> Subject: Re: [OT]: Personal Details by phone (was Job search
> questions)
>
>
> > The other day the phone rang:
> >
> > Them: "This is the Royal Bank of Scotland - I'd like to
> tell you about some
> new facilities that we have" (I
> > have a credit card with them)
> >
> > Me: "OK, as long as it doesn't take more than a couple of minutes"
> >
> > Them: "Right.  For security purposes can you confirm your
> date of birth?"
> >
> > Me: "You know, I really don't want to have this conversation - bye!"
>
> I just say no. I get a small amount of satisfaction listening
> to them squirm,
> unable to get past the "no" :-)
>
> >
> > I have no idea if it really was the RBS, and they gave me
> no information that
> would allow me to confirm who
> > they were before I gave information confirming who I am...
> which if they were
> in fact crooks would be just the
> > information they'd need to use my card number fraudulently!
>
> This is the reason I stopped answering "security" questions,
> then the "up" side
> dawned on me.
>
> >
> > I think I'll write and tell them what I think of their
> security procedures...
> assuming it really was them!
>
> Why bother? If they change their procedure so that they can
> verify who they are
> it will just allow them to drag you further into the phone
> call before you
> realise they are just trying to sell you more insurance.
>
> Regards
> Sergio Masci
>
> --
> http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different
> ways.  See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.
>

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