I'm looking for a machine to connect to my phone line to screen out
telemarketing calls.  What I'm looking for is very specific; there are
several products out there that I've found, but none of them includes
all of the features that I'm looking for, and several have features
that I do not want.  Basically, I just want something that will
present any incoming call with a message like "If your call is of a
telemarketing nature, please hang up now.  These calls will not be
accepted.  Otherwise, press 1 to continue."  Additionally, I want to
be able to program phone numbers in to automatically bypass this
option (family and friends need not always suffer through the greeting
every time), and I still want all of my phones to ring if a call gets
through, not just the phone that's connected to this device.

There are a lot of other types of features out there that I'm not
particularly interested in.  Most products emit some sequence of tones
to fool a computer dialer into thinking the number is disconnected or
something, but that doesn't stop the manual callers.  No, what's
looking for is just very simple and straightforward, but darned if I
can find it!

I've already found the following devices, and none of them meets my
needs: Telezapper, EZ Hang-Up, Call Screener, Phone Butler, and Aastra
Voice 9090.  Also, I am aware that there's a service that will add my
phone number to the "do not call" database.  I'm also aware that there
are certain phone companies that offer this service for a nominal fee,
but my local phone company is not one of them.

If you can find it for me, I'd be much obliged.  And I'll throw in a
good tip if I can order it online and pay with PayPal.

---

Request for Question Clarification by tar_heel_v-ga on 23 Nov 2002 21:19 PST

constantine,

I have found two products that are very close to what you are looking
for, that aren't on the list of products you have looked at.  The only
issue is the programming of numbers.  Both of these require either
actions from people calling that you want to get through.  Either a
pass code you can provide your friends (one product) or they hit a
number at anytime during the outgoing message to bypass and and send
the call to your phone.  I will keep researching, but I don't think a
device exists that allows you to program numbers.  If you the
information about the two that I have found will suffice, let me know.

Thanks!

-THV

---

Clarification of Question by constantine-ga on 24 Nov 2002 09:21 PST

Okay.  First, I live in New York, not in the UK, although "thank you"
to the researchers who posted the Telephone Preference information. 
Second, I really would like the ability to program numbers (if it
exists).  If no product out there at all has this ability, though,
then I'd be okay with a product that just makes everyone press a
number key at any time during the message to bypass it.  What I don't
want is a device that plays the "out of service" tones (because that
might confuse legitimate callers and they'll hang up), and it must
work with my answering machine and at least have the ability to be
configured to work with multiple phones (only one product that I found
had some "extender" devices that could be connected to other phones to
make them ring too once a call gets through).  The ability to
pre-program numbers to bypass the check isn't as important to me as
the other functionality that I just listed.

Thanks to all for the great suggestions so far!

---

Request for Question Clarification by tar_heel_v-ga on 24 Nov 2002 19:07 PST

Constantine..

In doing further research, I found one device that will meet your
needs.  It does not, however, allow for the pre-programming of
accepted numbers.  There isn't a device that does have that feature. 
There is one caveat to this device, however, that I want to verify
with you before I post an answer.  The manufacturer of this device
says that it should be connected to the main phone line coming into
the house and all the phone connected into the device.  This allows
all the phones to ring.  If it isn't connected in this manner, Phones
not tied to the device respond with a momentary, short chirp when it
begins to answer a call.  Is this acceptable?

---

Clarification of Question by constantine-ga on 24 Nov 2002 20:33 PST

Tar Heel,

Yeah, that'll be fine.  I wasn't sure if the pre-programming feature
was available anywhere; thanks for confirming that it isn't.  Please
post this as answer, along with purchasing information.  Thanks!

Constantine

Constatine,

The device that best fits your needs and requirements is known as the
PreFone Filter.  This device answers the call with a preset message or
you can record your own 17 second message.  The way it works is before
your phone ever rings, the PreFone Filter (referred to as the Filter)
answers the call with the following message: "You have reached a
PreFone Filter and not an answering machine.  Notice to all phone
solicitors.  Place this name and number on your "Do Not Call" list. 
It is now a Federal Offense to make this Telephone ring.  Fund
raisers, please mail all requests.  Now personal and invited callers
press "5" on your touch tone phone.  Rotary and Pulse dial users
please hold." If the caller presses 5 at anytime during the message,
the call is the forwarded to your phone and causes it to ring.  If a
telemarketer should decide to go ahead and press 5 after the message,
according to the company, the telemarkter can be fined up to $500 for
contacting someone who has requested that they no be.

Another very nice feature is that callers also have the option of
pressing 4 or 6 button and each of these buttons produces a
distinctive ring on your telephone.  The 4,5, and 6 key will send a
separate distinct ring when pressed.  The Filter will work with your
answering machine, but you will need to set the rings to answer on the
machine to less than 8 as the Filter automatically disconnects the
call after 8 rings.

To purchase the PreFone Filter, visit
http://www.prefonefilter.com/BuyNow.html or you can call
1-800-662-5865 or order by mail:

PreFone Integrated Products
PO Box 888105
Grand Rapids, MI  49588

Each PreFone Filter is $119.95 ($99.5 when ordering two or more) and
$9.95 shipping and handling.

Thanks again for your question and if you need any further
clarification, please let me know.

Regards,

-THV

Search Strategy:
anti-telemarketing

References:
The Washington Times-Silencing telemarketers
(Google Cached)
http://216.239.51.100/search?q=cache:65UQfvBG7QoC:www.washtimes.com/metro/20020801-96780528.htm+prefone+filter&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

Anti-Telemarketer.com
http://antitelemarketer.bizland.com/bodyinit.htm

Great answer!  Thoroughly researched and very timely too!

Hi Constantine-
Do you live in the US?- as most posters who don't give a location
assume that this site is only used by Americans!
If I'm wrong, and you happen to live in the UK, then all you have to
do
is call the Telephone Preference Society. They keep a database of all
phone users in the UK who have expressed their preference to not be
called by telephone marketers. Marketing companies HAVE to use this
database when compiling lists of calls- it's illegal not to, and can
result in a heavy fine.
To contact them-

The Telephone Preference Service
6 Reef House
Plantation Wharf
London
SW11 3UF 

0171 738 9053
Fax 0171 978 4918 

0r8it

Hello Constantine-ga

I've included the web link for the Telephone Preference Service
registration service which 0r8it-ga has already mentioned, (as useful
information for any UK person who might be reading this question).
TPS online
http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tpsr/html/Register.asp
excerpt from the page:
"It is now a legal obligation for anyone making unsolicited sales and
marketing calls to ensure they do not call individuals who have
registered their wish not to be called.
The Telephone Preference Service is a central register of individuals
who have indicated they do not wish to receive unsolicited sales and
marketing calls."
(bear in mind the London phone numbers that 0r8it-ga supplied need to
be updated to the new London 020 codes)

Kind regards
lot-ga

The Telephone Preference doesn't always work.

Some telemarketeers just dial every number systematically.

An effective response is to ask the caller's name and number (they
typically withhold their number and use false names) ...

And to point out that it is an offence to make unsolicited calls.

Hi, Constantine.

Are you aware of New York's No Call list?

If not, you can sign up on this page, as well as report violations:

https://www.nynocall.com/index.html

Registration is free, and New York law prohibits almost all
telemarketing calls to your number once you're registered. (Exceptions
include charitable calls, calls arranging an in person meeting, and
calls from businesses you have a preexisting relationship with.)

I'm not sure if New York law specifically allows a private right of
action, but the Telephone Consumers Protection Act (TCPA) does, so if
you are on this list and continue to get telemarketing calls, you can
take the telemarketers to court for at least $500 per violation, or
$1500 if you can show that the violations were committed knowingly.

Unfortunately, I haven't had a single telemarketing call since my
state adopted its own No Call list, so that source of potential income
has dried up for me.

Constantine..

Thank you very much for the rating and the generous tip.  I am glad I
was able to help.  Good luck!

-THV