Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!pro-angmar.UUCP!m.tiernan
From: m.tiernan@pro-angmar.UUCP (Michael Tiernan)
Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk
Subject: Phone privacy question.
Message-ID: <9.security.eff@pro-angmar>
Date: 25 Dec 90 11:46:46 GMT
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Lines: 29

Hello all.  I'm rather new to the EFF discussions and am quite pleased to see
the interest that is currently out there for it.  I've got a question.  I'm
wondering if the selling of phone listings (like addresses) has been discussed
and or covered?  I have a private phone line who's number is one of my
closeest secrets.  I cherish being able to sit at home and call out on this
line when my other line is ringing off the hook.  However, recently, I've been
getting "You need to buy......" phone calls on it.  Damned annoying!  I always
figured it was a case of creative dialing that got them to my number.  That is
until MCI (Whom I do not do business with at all.) called me BY NAME!  On my
private line.  I quickly pieced the puzzle together, I had called a dial a
joke line 4-5 months ago which was a number serviced exclusively by MCI.  When
they service the line, they get your phone number and !viola! the have my
private number.  In turn, they've sold it as part of a list!  What I'm now
doing (because the calls haven't bothered me since I work during the day) is
warning people that this horrendus invasion of privacy is being perpetrated on
us with no recourse.

"Don't let this happen to you!"   :)


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GEnie       : M.Tiernan
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Internet    : pro-angmar!m.tiernan@alphalpha.com
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"God isn't dead, he's only missing in action."
                                             - Phil Ochs