Path: utzoo!telecom-request Date: Mon, 29 Apr 91 08:29:38 -0700 From: belanger_f@wmois.enet.dec.com Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Third Party Billing Fraud, and New England Tel's Answer Message-ID: Organization: TELECOM Digest Sender: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 317, Message 4 of 13 Lines: 26 Here's a real good one that I just found out today: I had concerns about third party billing fraud after reading about some instances here, so I called New England Tellyfone today, and here's what the service rep told me. I could put a "block" on my line to prevent third-party billing, for the "amazingly-low-price" (my wording) of $.95 a month per line, and a one-time charge of $11.70 . So, I asked the rep, why should I pay to rectify your lousey security practices regarding third-party billing fraud? (No answer recieved). Then I asked "why can't NET just give everyone a calling card and prohibit third-party billing? (rep says "some people like to do third-party billed calls.) Yea, sure they like to, since it seems easy to rip off the phone company and not pay for the call, rather than use a calling card (which I use). Don't ya just love Ma Bell logic? Fred Belanger [Moderator's Note: Illinois Bell gives 'inbound toll restriction' at no charge. My two lines and my distinctive ringing number are configured to automatically refuse collect or third number billing. PAT]