# Does this sound legal (anywhere? canada?) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 13, 2003, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-sound-legal-anywhere-canada/201447 "2003-09-13T22:05:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Logical\_Phallacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Logical\_Phallacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Logical_Phallacy)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-sound-legal-anywhere-canada/201447/1 "2003-09-13T22:05:18Z")
recently started spending time with an old aquaintance who i always recall being a very bright guy. at one point we got into talking about various biz ventures and which time he mentions this rather strange opportunity: he has stumbled on to a 1800 # which if called from our city, allows for free long-distance in north america. Basically he plans to sell information kits for a small amount of money that list the phone # is this legal? ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-sound-legal-anywhere-canada/201447/2 "2003-09-13T22:41:11Z")
What’s that I smell? Fish? Are the “information kits for a small amount of money” for a limited period of calling, unlimited calling, restricted in any fashion? Telecos make money by selling time, for limited times and/or calling patterns. A toll-free number with no restrictions really sounds like a stolen number. How did the acquaintance “stumble” upon the number? Sure sounds like something that’s not legal. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-sound-legal-anywhere-canada/201447/3 "2003-09-13T22:49:34Z")
Using _anything_ that doesn’t belong to you, unless it’s offered, is illegal. Judge Wapner say’s so, and so does common sense. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-sound-legal-anywhere-canada/201447/4 "2003-09-14T00:05:50Z")
Is he asking you to invest some capital in his scheme? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-sound-legal-anywhere-canada/201447/5 "2003-09-14T00:09:54Z")
Of course it’s illegal. Someone or some corporation owns that 800 number. They pay all charges made against it, and anyone using it without their express permission is essentially stealing from them. ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-sound-legal-anywhere-canada/201447/6 "2003-09-14T00:15:27Z")
There’s a telephone directory that lists all 800 numbers in the USA, or there used to be. I have an old one, which is about 15 years old. An 800 number is like any other telephone number. If it is listed, anyone can use it, with or without your permission. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-sound-legal-anywhere-canada/201447/7 "2003-09-14T00:17:46Z")
Not all 800 numbers _are_ listed. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-sound-legal-anywhere-canada/201447/8 "2003-09-14T00:36:39Z")
Anyone can use the 800 number. What you can do after that connection is made is what this question is about, I think. There are many restrictions on what one can do _after_ dialing any number. ---
**Author:** ![Logical\_Phallacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Logical\_Phallacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Logical_Phallacy)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-sound-legal-anywhere-canada/201447/9 "2003-09-15T03:37:54Z")
lets assume its listed, and simply asks you to dial the number you wish to call as soon as you call it. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-sound-legal-anywhere-canada/201447/10 "2003-09-15T03:56:14Z")
Well, then it has to route your call over existing circuits, which somebody has to pay for. Or steal. Same for wireless. Same for cable, Same for music, Same for satellite. Unless it’s offered by the owner. Very unusual, that would be. You could be routed through Africa, or where ever that scam takes you, for a few hundred bucks. But _that_ would be _wrong_, wouldn’t it? Mangeorge, suddenly virtuous:D ---
**Author:** ![KenGr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecc23a/32.png) [@KenGr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KenGr)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-sound-legal-anywhere-canada/201447/11 "2003-09-15T04:09:51Z")
The only way I can see this working is if it is an incoming 800 number that gets you into a system that lets you dial back out. Years ago our company had an employee only 800 number that got you into the company phone system. Subsequently, you could transfer to an outside number, thereby making a long distance call. Abuse required us to get rid of the system. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-sound-legal-anywhere-canada/201447/12 "2003-09-15T23:16:37Z")
Some 800 numbers automatically redirect. A good example is a pizza chain. When you call, it reads your phone # and directs your call to the proper store. Amazing, huh? Next time you call it even displays your order history. Thats why (partly) you can’t block caller id to 800 #'s