Question for BellSouth customers.

[Akoto]

Hey guys,

I have a question for those of you who use BellSouth as their phone company. Have you tried their Privacy Director service? How does it work for you?

The telemarketers are maddening. We even have one who calls every few months after 10pm. Doesn't say anything strange, but his accent is so thick that we can barely understand him. It still gives me the creeps! :)

While we do have caller ID, most of these people are listed as unknown name/private name. I'm considering this service to hopefully mitigate the problem, but I'd like to hear from someone else as to whether or not it helps.

[liberaltrucker]

1. First I've heard of it

I'll check into it. Thanks.

[Maddy McCall]

2. I have it and I love it.

It works great. It works so well that I forgot I had it until you mentioned it.

I get zero calls from telemarketers and the likes--I also am on the do-not-call list. I think it's the combination of these two things that has given me always-peaceful evenings.

[Akoto]

3. Thank you!

I was hoping to hear something like this. Pretty desperate to stop these calls.

It doesn't look as though it costs much extra to get. Seeing as you've had such success, I might just call tomorrow and get it!

[Jamastiene]

4. I don't know anything about any Privacy Directory service, but

I have "had words" with them about the telemarketers. I can see now that the "Do Not Call" list needs to be amended to say "or else." My aunt just told them today that it's Sunday and asked that they give us one day of the week off from them. Every day and yes, if I am not online, they call after 10:00 P.M. day after day after day. It's driving me nuts. I used to just say no, now I'm rude. I don't care any more. "Do not call" means do not call.

[Orsino]

5. Works great.

Callers from hidden numbers are challenged to identify themselves before they are put through. The phone does ring, with "privacy director" displayed in Call ID, giving you the chance to answer it anyway.

[tkmorris]

6. Hmm. I'm glad others have liked it, but........

I have had a mixed experience with it. It does intercept SOME calls, which I appreciate, but it also lets through a goodly number which it should prevent, but doesn't. I've no idea why although my last attempt to investigate it turned up some websites which claimed that if companies paid an extra fee to Bellsouth they would not be excluded.

I have no idea if that is true or not, but I do know I receive some calls which the Privacy Director FAQ claims I should not. AS always, YMMV.