[net.misc] discouraging junk phone calls: another approach

andrew@orca.UUCP (Andrew Klossner) (12/04/85)

I like this approach, adapted from Heinlein's new book.

Put an answering machine on your line, and always let it answer the
phone, even when you're home.  The message:

	"Hi, you're reached <insert phone number here>.  At the sound
	of the beep, please speak your name, your phone number, and
	your Visa or MasterCard number and expiration date.  I will
	place and confirm a charge of one hundred dollars against your
	card, then call you back.  If I agree that your call is worth
	interrupting me at home, I will cancel the charge."

I run a mail order company out of my home and have the facility to
enter credit card charges.  If the junk calls get worse, I might just
try this ...

  -=- Andrew Klossner   (decvax!tektronix!tekecs!andrew)       [UUCP]
                        (tekecs!andrew.tektronix@csnet-relay)  [ARPA]