# Junk Faxes **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 20, 2006, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/junk-faxes/345341 "2006-02-20T17:06:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![yohanbaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/91b2a8/32.png) [@yohanbaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yohanbaby)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/junk-faxes/345341/1 "2006-02-20T17:06:15Z")
Is there any effective way to deal with junk faxes? I’m aware that, in theory, one can sue the junk faxer in court. However, I would have to spend $100 on filing and marshall fees as well as 2 or 3 hours of my time and then I would have to chase after some fly-by-night outfit across the country and it seems highly unlikely that I would collect on the judgment. Another alternative is to call the toll free “removal” number on the junk fax. However, I did this a few times and it didn’t seem to have much effect. Is there any practical and effective way to deal with junk faxes? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/junk-faxes/345341/2 "2006-02-20T18:03:33Z")
Don’t call the removal number, as with spam, it just confirms a live number. Two things you can do…go to [http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/junkfaxDiscussion/](http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/junkfaxDiscussion/) but it’s pretty dead all though there always talking about starting class action law suits. Also run by the same people is [www.junkfax.org](http://www.junkfax.org). Again, they seem to spend a lot of time talking about suing the junk faxers, but never seem to get around to it. (Meanwhile I have about a ream of junk faxes all sorted out by faxer (the [junkfax.org](http://junkfax.org) will show you how to tell who the fax came from based on header style) collecting dust. The other option os to go to [www.ftc.gov](http://www.ftc.gov) and report them there which is what I usually do when I bored. You’ll never receive any montatary damages and they don’t chase after individual claims, but a lot of complaints about the same person and they’ll go after them. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/junk-faxes/345341/3 "2006-02-20T18:11:19Z")
Unfortunately, the junk faxes I get do not have a ‘From:’ number, so calling the government won’t work. I don’t have caller-ID, nor blocked-number blocking. I don’t get many calls, so I don’t need the former. As for the latter, I don’t think I should have to pay for a service that will block people who shouldn’t be calling me anyway and will inconvenience friends/family who block their numbers. (I’m on the National Do Not Call List, BTW.) ---
**Author:** ![yohanbaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/91b2a8/32.png) [@yohanbaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yohanbaby)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/junk-faxes/345341/4 "2006-02-20T18:46:42Z")
Well, I set up my fax machine so that (hopefully) faxes will go straight to computer memory and then I can decide whether to print them out. So the junk faxers won’t be wasting ink. Still annoying though. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/junk-faxes/345341/5 "2006-02-20T19:23:48Z")
Check with your state’s Attorney General. Some do pursue these. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/junk-faxes/345341/6 "2006-02-20T19:31:01Z")
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**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/junk-faxes/345341/7 "2006-02-20T21:47:00Z")
2 ways come to mind: 1- change your number 2 - install some piece of equipment on your line that would require the caller to enter a extention number to 'transfer’your call to the proper extention. You would have to give out your fax number in this type of format however: 1-800-555-1212,101 or for manual sends 1-800-555-1212 ext 101 (where the , is a 2 second pause, most fax machines have a pause function) They used to have something like this that would prevent telemarketers, basically it would ‘pick up’ your phone and ask for the security code, if it was correctly entered the device would then ring your phones insiide you house. I haven’t seen this for years however, then again I haven’t looked. Also I used to I fax back their fax to their 800 number that they provide for your $199 trip to Mexico, which is usually a voice line.