Phones

Spam Callers & the Phone Company: You tell Ma Bell you want to know who is calling so you can decide if you want to answer your phone or not. They give you Caller ID, but you have to pay extra for it.

Then what do they do? They give phone spammers a way around that. Announcments of “Out of area”, “Unavailable” and “Private caller” are among my most hated.

The thing that really bugs me is it’s always some recording that wants you to agree to have your rugs cleaned. I have hardwood floors. And they call an average of 7 times a night! What's with that?

If the call is from out of the area then they are calling long distance. This means they are using a phone and they have a number. Caller ID can announce that number just like any other – so announce it already! Then, at least, I would have the number to call back in case I suddenly realized 'Oh, shit! - I have a rug in the bathroom!'

If I am not going to answer my phone because the Spammers are announced as "Out of area" or "Unavailable" because I know they are not family of friends, then what was the purpose of getting a 'nothing' name? And why should I pay for a service that is letting through the very assholes I didn’t want to answer in the first place? I don't know which one pisses me off more - the spammers or the phone company. Argh!