# Can I do this to stop unwanted telephone calls? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 25, 2003, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-do-this-to-stop-unwanted-telephone-calls/177412 "2003-05-25T16:28:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-do-this-to-stop-unwanted-telephone-calls/177412/21 "2003-05-26T15:19:35Z")
Ha - I`ve just bought a phone that gives every incoming call the " this line has been disconnected" sound before I pick up. That, in theory, will eliminate the computer or automated calls. They hear the sound and supposedly take our number off their list. I wont know for a couple of weeks if it works or not. ---
**Author:** ![refusal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac91a4/32.png) [@refusal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/refusal)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-do-this-to-stop-unwanted-telephone-calls/177412/22 "2003-05-26T15:21:52Z")
The British Telephone Preference Service has legislative backing, but it is actually run by the Direct Marketing Association, the trade body of direct mail, telesales, and other nice people. I’m not sure what to feel about that. Personally, while preference schemes are useful, I think another possible legislative solution could be to make it illegal for any individual or organisation to bulk sell addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses. This would drastically reduce direct mail, although it might stop the distribution of telephone directories. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-do-this-to-stop-unwanted-telephone-calls/177412/23 "2003-05-26T15:25:29Z")
“” this line has been disconnected" sound before I pick up" What happens when your friends hear that? ---
**Author:** ![Gest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9d8465/32.png) [@Gest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gest)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-do-this-to-stop-unwanted-telephone-calls/177412/24 "2003-05-26T15:30:09Z")
I’m sorry for the disingenuous post but Im not trying to make it difficult. I was trying to make the point that India is a sovereign nation and you, your congressmen, the FCC and the SDMB can bitch all they like but America can’t legislate against foreigners in their own countries. What don’t you get? Offering unworkable suggestions _does_ make it difficult though and legislation like this is just such an example. Aside from First Amendment issues, I can envision it being yet another avenue for vexatious litigation. And what about when it comes time to prosecute the offense? Whether it be a civil or a criminal action, I imagine the burden of proof remains with the plaintiff or prosecution. The obvious defence is, “But your Honour, _clearly_ it’s my unscrupulous competitors trying to sabotage my good name and business by ignoring the DO NOT CALL list whilst posing as me! Prove otherwise.” ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-do-this-to-stop-unwanted-telephone-calls/177412/25 "2003-05-26T16:33:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by handy \* > \*\*"" this line has been disconnected" sound before I pick up" > > What happens when your friends hear that? \*\* (Actually, the tone is heard as I pick up not before.) Your supposed to ignore it. After a couple of weeks I can turn off the feature. I just had an “unavailable” call to the house. I picked up the phone, heard the tone, and the computer on the other end must have disconnected because there was no response. So far so good. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-do-this-to-stop-unwanted-telephone-calls/177412/26 "2003-05-26T17:17:38Z")
How loud would an air horn be on the other end of a call? Legality? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-do-this-to-stop-unwanted-telephone-calls/177412.md?page=1)