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From: george@wciu.edu (George Peavy)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Telemarketers: Saying No is Easy
Message-ID: <14148@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 29 Oct 90 18:30:07 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 775, Message 6 of 11


In article <14115@accuvax.nwu.edu> Christopher Gillett <gillett@
ceomax.enet.dec.com> writes:

>My assumption is that they have removed my name and telephone number
>from a list that they sell to telemarketing outfits.  Maybe they do
>some sort of blocking out here (doubtful), but whatever they've done,
>I simply do not get telemarketer phone calls.

[stuff deleted.....]

>So, my point is this: if your telco offers not to distribute your
>name, then absolutely sign up.  This provides no protection from an
>automated dialer that calls every number in an exchange looking for
>people, but it can significantly reduce the number of junk calls you
>receive.  And if you do happen to receive a call, just say "no
>thank you", and if they don't hang up, then you should.  I have no
>problem saying "no thank you, have a pleasant day", and then hanging
>up.

I don't know how New England Telephone does it, but in the front of a
Pacific Bell Directory, under the section marked "Doing Business with
Us", it notes that in metropolitan areas, there is such a thing as a
directory listing phone numbers by addresses for "people who may wish
to reach you, but don't know your name".

(aaaarrrrrggggghhhhhhh!!!!!!!).  It also notes that you can request to
be not listed in this directory.  I don't remember if they charge you
for it or not.


George Peavy

(george@wciu.edu)


[Moderator's Note: They are just talking about a routine criss-cross
directory. The ones from Donnelly Directory, by virtue of being part
of the telco empire, only list what the alpha books list, in telephone
number order. If you are otherwise non-pub, you won't be in those. The
ones from Haynes, R.L. Polk, Dresser's and City Publishing Co. include
everything they can find, and your request to them means nothing. They
even include what non-pub numbers they can find from other sources.
PAT]