TeleZapper: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Electronic device}} |
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The '''TeleZapper''' is a device designed to reduce the number of [[telemarketing]]-related phone calls a household receives by imitating the tone signal normally played by a phone company to indicate a line has been disconnected. The Telezapper was created by Privacy Technologies |
The '''TeleZapper''' is a device designed to reduce the number of [[telemarketing]]-related phone calls a household receives by imitating the tone signal normally played by a phone company to indicate a line has been disconnected. The Telezapper was created by Privacy Technologies.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mossberg |first1=Walter |title=TeleZapper Successfully Reduces Annoying Marketing Phone Calls |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB102081634159195720 |access-date=29 October 2024 |publisher=Wall Street Journal |date=8 May 2002}}</ref> |
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== Background == |
== Background == |
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Telemarketing companies typically use [[predictive dialer]]s to place many calls |
Telemarketing companies typically use [[predictive dialer]]s to place many calls simultaneously. When the equipment detects that someone has answered one of the many calls it has made, it quickly transfers that call to an available agent. Unanswered calls, or numbers that are disconnected, are not transferred to agents and the call is terminated automatically. |
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In this way, the agent is spared the time of dialing a call and waiting for an answer, and can simply speak to waiting calls |
In this way, the agent is spared the time of dialing a call and waiting for an answer, and can simply speak to waiting calls that have been already set up. Additionally, if a number is determined to be disconnected, the equipment will usually mark that number as such and will not dial it again or as often. |
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== How it works == |
== How it works == |
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The TeleZapper is an appliance |
The TeleZapper is an appliance that plugs into a consumer telephone line. On detecting a ring and answer of any phone on the line, the Telezapper will immediately play a sequence of [[Special information tones]] or "SIT": one of eight internationally standardized signals that indicate a call cannot be completed. Typically the "Intercept" or "IC" SIT is used, indicating the number called has been disconnected or changed. |
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By playing this tone signal on the line, a |
By playing this tone signal on the line, a predictive dialer calling the household would hear it, assume the number was disconnected, terminate the call and likely mark the number as "disconnected" in its database. |
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This "tricking" of the telemarketer's equipment was effectively highlighted in marketing material for the TeleZapper as a way to get |
This "tricking" of the telemarketer's equipment was effectively highlighted in marketing material for the TeleZapper as a way to get revenge on the "obnoxious telemarketers". The device is powered by a [[Button cell|CR2032 battery]], which is not documented in the manual and is replaced by opening the unit. |
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An old or non-functioning TeleZapper can be restored to service by replacing the undocumented battery which powers the device. There are 2 screws on the bottom of the case which must be removed to gain access to the battery. Remove the screws then pull the top and bottom pieces apart which will expose the CR2032 battery on the top of the circuit board. Replace the CR2032 battery, reconnect the screws and the TeleZapper will be ready to provide many more years of protection. |
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== Limitations of the TeleZapper == |
== Limitations of the TeleZapper == |
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*A SIT signal, as described above, |
*A SIT signal, as described above, |
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*a short response, like "hello", in which case it puts the called person through to a salesperson, and |
*a short response, like "hello", in which case it puts the called person through to a salesperson, and |
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Another limitation is that the device does not work well with [[voice mail]] systems. This is because voice mail reroutes the call from a physical line to the voice mail service without the phone ever picking up. |
Another limitation is that the device does not work well with [[voice mail]] systems. This is because voice mail reroutes the call from a physical line to the voice mail service without the phone ever picking up. |
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==See also== |
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* {{portal-inline|Telephones}} |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* [http:// |
* [http://www.telezapper.com TeleZapper site] (current) |
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* [ |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110423164541/http://telezapper.com/ TeleZapper site] (archived) |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120426072149/http://www.privacytechnologies.com/ The Official Site of the TeleZapper] (archived) |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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[[Category:Telemarketing]] |
[[Category:Telemarketing]] |
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[[Category:Telephony signals]] |
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Latest revision as of 00:24, 9 November 2024
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The TeleZapper is a device designed to reduce the number of telemarketing-related phone calls a household receives by imitating the tone signal normally played by a phone company to indicate a line has been disconnected. The Telezapper was created by Privacy Technologies.[1]
Background
[edit]Telemarketing companies typically use predictive dialers to place many calls simultaneously. When the equipment detects that someone has answered one of the many calls it has made, it quickly transfers that call to an available agent. Unanswered calls, or numbers that are disconnected, are not transferred to agents and the call is terminated automatically.
In this way, the agent is spared the time of dialing a call and waiting for an answer, and can simply speak to waiting calls that have been already set up. Additionally, if a number is determined to be disconnected, the equipment will usually mark that number as such and will not dial it again or as often.
How it works
[edit]The TeleZapper is an appliance that plugs into a consumer telephone line. On detecting a ring and answer of any phone on the line, the Telezapper will immediately play a sequence of Special information tones or "SIT": one of eight internationally standardized signals that indicate a call cannot be completed. Typically the "Intercept" or "IC" SIT is used, indicating the number called has been disconnected or changed.
By playing this tone signal on the line, a predictive dialer calling the household would hear it, assume the number was disconnected, terminate the call and likely mark the number as "disconnected" in its database.
This "tricking" of the telemarketer's equipment was effectively highlighted in marketing material for the TeleZapper as a way to get revenge on the "obnoxious telemarketers". The device is powered by a CR2032 battery, which is not documented in the manual and is replaced by opening the unit.
Limitations of the TeleZapper
[edit]A predictive dialer merely checks for three conditions:
- A SIT signal, as described above,
- a short response, like "hello", in which case it puts the called person through to a salesperson, and
- a long response, such as an answering machine message, in which case it hangs up and re-queues the number to call back later or leaves a sales message.
Some telemarketing firms have turned off the SIT tone detector altogether in response to the TeleZapper trick, rendering it wholly ineffective.
Another limitation is that the device does not work well with voice mail systems. This is because voice mail reroutes the call from a physical line to the voice mail service without the phone ever picking up.
See also
[edit]
External links
[edit]- TeleZapper site (current)
- TeleZapper site (archived)
- The Official Site of the TeleZapper (archived)
References
[edit]- ^ Mossberg, Walter (8 May 2002). "TeleZapper Successfully Reduces Annoying Marketing Phone Calls". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 29 October 2024.