Junk Fax FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Junk Faxes

• How do the advertisers get my number?
• Is there any way to stop junk faxes?
• Which call screening devices will work best to filter out junk faxes?
• How do call screening devices work to stop junk faxes?
• Shouldn't I just call the 800 number listed on the offering to opt-out?
• Will a call screening device stop the faxes that I do want to receive?
  
  

How do the advertisers get my number?

There are a number of ways that advertisers acquire your fax number. A popular method is to use an automatic, or predictive dialer, that can dial hundreds of listed and unlisted numbers an hour to listen for a fax tone. Once verified, your fax number gets on the telemarketers' list as an active number and is likely to be shared or sold to others. Also, if you list your fax number on advertising, credit offers, sweepstakes, warranty forms, survey or contribution forms, and a multitude of others, it will most likely be distributed.

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Is there any way to stop junk faxes?

YES! Immediate results can be achieved by installing a call-screening device that is designed to work with fax machines.

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Which call screening devices work best to filter out junk faxes?

With Caller ID: The Privacy Call ID Screener can screen all faxes by 'Invited' list. Only those fax broadcasters on your 'Invited' list can send a fax. All others are rejected. If their Caller ID is blocked they must unblock it or they can be given the opportunity to enter a 1-6 digit code that you set.

Without Caller ID: The Privacy Call Guardian, and Privacy Call PLUS.

• Privacy Call Guardian and allows you to set an access code from 1-6 digits, which will ring your fax.
  
  
• Privacy Call PLUS can automatically determine if the call is from a fax device and automatically handles the call.

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How do call screening devices work to stop junk faxes?

With Caller ID: The fax broadcasters Caller ID is identified and added to an "Invited" list. Once on the 'Invited' list their faxes are recieved unimpeded. Those callers who are not on your 'Invited' list, anonymous callers or callers who have blocked their Caller ID are rejected.

Without Caller ID: Each device acts like a mini auto-attendant and filters unwanted faxes by requiring an additional key input. An automatic dialer would not hear the fax tone and hang up, possibly removing your number from their call list. A human telemarketer would hear your request to be placed on their "Do Not Call" list and move on to more willing prey. If you don't have a fax machine, but receive calls from fax broadcasters, the Privacy Call PLUS would be the perfect solution.

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Shouldn't I just call the 800 number listed on the offering to opt-out?

Provided you could even get through, it's the last thing you would want to do! By calling their 800 number, the number from which you are calling becomes public information to the unlawful telemarketer, worth dollars to them by using it for follow-up sales calls or by distributing your telephone number to others.

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Will a call screening device stop the faxes that I do want to receive?

NO! Informed and familiar callers need only enter the code when they wish to transmit a fax to you or be on your 'Invited' list. It's that simple!

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