how can i make this stop??

[Ronda93]

Actually, I can't stop it, I just want to control it.

I am being called by a fax machine. It's been intermittent for a year now, but has stepped up recently.

My caller ID indicates it is a blocked call. *69 is of no help. The phone company says it's not threatening or harrassing and wouldn't look for the information unless the police ask for it. They did offer to change my number at my expense.

I got call forwarding and forwarded my phone to the fax at work hoping to find something in the tray (the calls normally come in the dead of night - 2, 3 a.m.). No luck. Lately they've been coming while we're awake. Less shocking, but of no comfort since I know they'll happen at night as well.

I do not want to get a fax machine. I have heard of a cheap ($20) gizmo that, similar to the tele-zapper, sort of pre-answers the phone and knows it's a fax. Then it splits the call to a fax... I would split it to a dead end. I've checked a couple of retailers (Radio Shack, Office Depot) and most products are too sophisticated for my problem and nearly as expensive as changing the phone number.

Surely, out of all of the home offices connected to the DIS, someone has a fairly cheap idea for routing these calls down the tubes.

I'll owe you a good night's sleep.

Ronda

 

[TIdoublegaER]

The phone company says it's not threatening or harrassing

I'm sorry - how is this not harrassing?? The phone company just doesn't want to do anything about it. I would to go to someone higher at the phone company. You could also tell them that you are going to file a complaint with your state's public utility commission. They *have* to answer any complaint filed through them.

If a number was being displayed, I would tell you to fax it and tell them to stop, BUT since the number is blocked, can you block the call? I have signed up for a call blocker to block all "anonymous calls", so if someone blocks their number, my phone doesn't ring.

You could also download some free fax software to your computer and setup your computer to answer your phone. This is what I have done in the past. Then you get the fax and can call them and tell them to stop.

Hope this helps. I totally understand how frustrating faxes can be and it doesn't help they are setup to call repeatedly!

 

[ChibiJones]

If the number is blocked, I'm guessing it's one of those places that send spam-faxes. We get them all the time at work, but I imagine its even more annoying at home

I've been hesitant at work to send a fax back to the # to "unsubscribe". I have a feeling that just like email spam, they'll know its an active fax number and send more.