Hello Tweets:

Thanks so much Dennis for those two addresses that will slow down both the
telephone calls and the junk snail mail.

When this thread first started regarding junk phone calls a few days ago,
I went looking for the Direct Market Association address, and couldn't
find it. About 2 years ago I wrote to the DMA, Telephone Section, and am
convinced that it cut my marketing calls considerably. I had received
that address from U. S. West, and they recommend mailing a notice to them
each year to slow down the calls. It takes a few weeks to take effect,
but I think it works.

I have caller ID and U. S. West provides a service whereby you can block
all incoming calls from people who block their telephone numbers. If you
have caller ID, you do this by dialling *77, and it permanently blocks
those calls. I have chosen that option and it blocks all anonymous calls.
For people who have unlisted numbers who try to call you, they can
override their unlisted number by dialing a prefix (I forget which one),
so people can get through.

Caller ID will not block "number unknown". It is my understanding that
"number unknown" has 2 sources: 1) cellular phones and, 2) leased
telephone lines. Telemarketers often use leased lines. They have a large
number of phone lines that they lease from one of the carriers and because
the phone number gets switched in the leasing operation (I don't know the
exact details), it is not available for either caller ID, or the call back
feature for those who don't have caller ID. When I worked for Boeing,
they had a large number of leased lines between plant locations to save on
long distance charges. Those phone numbers would not appear on a caller
ID or call back attempt.

Thanks again for the addresses Dennis.

Jim Brewster
Kent
BrewsPad at aol.com