NBC Nightly News Story on Relay Scams
Thursday December 28, 2006
Just happened to catch a segment on tonight's (12/28) NBC Nightly News about the relay scams. They had two former relay operators appear on camera complaining that most calls they handled were scam calls, and expressing their frustration that the law forbids them to contact authorities even if contacting authorities would save lives. Towards the end of the segment they said the government was aware of the problems and "reviewing" things and might make some changes in the law.
Here is an article from MSNBC.com: Thieves Exploit Phone System for the Deaf (and some of the same statements were actually made on the television segment, so I think this might actually be a transcript).
Relay operators have a forum where they discuss the issues.
Comments
The relay agents are correct in they are legally prohibited from reporting these scams and thus allowing American businesses to be ripped off wholesale. The result for the deaf people is that businesses are refusing our relay calls and forcing us to go to stores in person. I nearly had a business purchase cancelled: equipment that was only available in another state. Fortunately the transaction went through because I was able to furnish personal references and supporting documentation.
This abuse of our free relay system needs to be stopped before we lose it altogether.
Ed Bosson of Texas mentioned a subscription system where we would have to log in and give an ID number before making relay calls. Such freedom-limiting measures may have become necessary in order to protect our independence.
DPG
I will support any type of authentication system in place to reduce the amount of fraudalent activity.
I prefer the authentication process includes an audiogram or a similar authentication system that is modeled by C.I.S.S. organization.
And the system be maintained by a C.T.A.P.- like organiization, a very balanced organization so theres no instances of cronyism, favoritism, nepotism, or predspotisionism.
Richard
Well… I’m thinking of a system like the one they use on Wikipedia… and therefore a basic “it would be nice to register, although you can do some things without registering, and people can be blocked for using the service inappropriately” premis.
Every system that starts out good always has the potential for criminal activity. The telephont has been the best invention for people with and without hearing loss. Why should the relay be any different than the telephone? All the laws in the world are not going to stop the scammers. The people on the other end of the line can hang up just like normal people. Never under any circumstances give out personal information on the phone or relay. The people on the end of relay are the ones to hang up. All the relay can do is pass the call on and let the deaf person decide to hang up. That old saying let the buyer beware.