Out of Area Phone Call Blocking

[DUNBAR PLUMBER]

Does anything like this exist?

As a business owner I'm victim to long distance calls all the time. Has a great deal to do with my exposure on the net and my information being sold with whom I do business with.

I was hoping that there is a device that is sold that routes calls through a box then deciphers and blocks all calls that do not originate from the 3 local exchange numbers I choose to allow.


As much technology there is out there today.....someone has to make this device and make it foolproof. I remember one of these a long time ago but these devices are not in public view anymore. Just curious if anyone knows how to beat the wrap on this problem.:evil2: :evil2: :evil2:

[Mr T]

Toll free numbers can be blocked by area code or region. I dont think straight long distance can though.

However with a modem that supports caller ID and some software, your computer can be used to intercept any calls you dont want based on whatever parameters you specify. You hear 1 ring then the computer takes over and deals with them. Calls you want to come through are ignored by the computer and your phone is allowed to ring.

You can even route certain numbers to voicemail (part of the package), a dead end message, or forward to other phones. You can never get nagged by your wife at work again. The program I played with even came with the "this number has been disconnected" message that can be played to selected callers. I'm sure the newer versious of this program can be set to even send a text message to your cell phone when someone important calls the shop phone. I think you can use a PIN to overide messages to let people such as out of state friends or mail order vendors through. Search for Caller ID programs. They are pretty cool but will take some work to tweak in. Test carefully so you dont nuke your paying customers by accident.

Some phone companies offer privacy manager if you are getting "unknown" or "blocked" calls. However the above computer program can handle that for free.

[dkerr]

If it is a toll free number you are using, talk to your phone provider, see if the number can be restricted, so you are not paying for calls that is beyond your plumbing service area.

A regular non toll free number that the customer pays the long distance bill is another thing, I would again however ask your phone provider if they can restrict service. If you use an answering machine system, and you call the customer back, than a computer software system as mentioned in another post would work, however if someone actually answers, you would have to have a system that doesn't ring your phone if it is not within your selected calling area. Call display would allow you to reconize most calls and choose rather to answer or not, but that takes up time, a no ring for out of area calls is the best solution if you can find a system that will do it.

[mdshunk]

Dunbar... it ain't cheap, but the "Whozz Calling" box will do what you want. It can block calls according to incoming line number, time of day, area or exchange code, or a list of 10 or a million phone numbers.

Check out the Whozz Calling 4 call box here: http://www.sandman.com/callerid.html