In message <d8e6p6pjh4b5egd835qv1dmmieuce8kb04@4ax.com>,
"(PeteCresswell)" <x@y.Invalid> writes
>Finally stumbled on to comp.dcom.telecom and now realize that
>telemarketer calls are here to stay.
>
>In that context, does anybody know of a VOIP provider that offers
>a challenge/response service?
>
>e.g.
>- Somebody calls my phone number
>
>- A voice from the VOIP provider says
> "Please enter the two-digit code. If
> you do not know the code and still want
> to call, please send an email to
> Whoever@Whatever.com."
>
>- If the caller knows to key "11",
> and does so within a timeout period,
> the call goes through and my phone
> rings, otherwise the caller is just
> cut off.
>
>- If the caller sends me an email and
> it looks plausible, I send them
> a code from a list of codes I have
> defined. If I send a code to the
> wrong person, I just delete the code.

Jeez! Just don't answer the damn thing and let it go to voicemail,
then call them back if you want.

If I were a friend, employer, supplier, customer etc. I'd soon find
someone else to be friends with or to do business with. It would really
piss me off having yet another 'password' to remember and that just for
the 'privilege' of speaking to you. Who do you think you are?