TK0JUT1@niu.bitnet (jt) (02/22/91)
A friend indictated that there is a 900 number (900-990-3415) that one can call and service provided is apparently one of determining whether there is a tap/trace on the caller's line. I have two questions about this: 1. Is it possible from a second line to determine such things as tap/traces, INR's, and other stuff? Aren't things like INR's determinable only from a records' office? Can a tap/trace be identified through such a service? 2. Is there any way to determine what actual services a 900 number provides short of calling it? (I'm told this number auto-bills $25). [Moderator's Note: The presence of a tap/trace on your line cannot be detirmined by a distant number. Who knows how your call was connected between you and the other end? What tests could *they* possibly perform that would mean anything? What a total ripoff! And for $25 yet! The catch with all 900's is you don't get to hear what worthless information you are getting until after you have paid for it. And to the 'information' provider's point of view, that is just as well. In the old crossbar offices, the presence of a pen-register on the line could be detected by an experienced ear by listening for a very faint amount of 'AC hum' in the half second or so before dial tone arrived. But in the ESS offices, why would they have old mechanical things? PAT]