More Wireless Mobility... This Time In Germany

IP Relay Abuse Out Of Hand

from the your-tax-dollars-at-work dept

Thu, Sep 16th 2004 12:45pm — Mike Masnick

A few people have written in pointing to Broadband Reports' short article outlining how a variety of people are abusing the IP Relay service, designed to help hearing impaired people communicate over the phone by providing text messages over the internet, which are then read by operators to the designated phone number. Because it helps the hearing impaired, the FCC has ordered that carriers get reimbursed for IP Relay calls. However, this has obviously opened up quite a loophole, and rather than being used by the hearing impaired to make calls, it's being abused by some to make free calls, by kids getting operators to read out whatever message they want, and (of course) by Nigerian scammers. As Broadband Reports notes, there's little incentive for the companies providing IP Relay services to crack down on the abuse, because they're getting reimbursed by the FCC on each call. Someone even suggests that nearly 90% of IP Relay calls has to do with frauds or scams -- all paid for with your tax dollars.

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5 Comments

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a relay opr, 26 Jan 2007 @ 9:36pm

ip relay abusive calls
it's true that 90 % of the calls are either abusive or fraudulent calls. we feel a certain pride whenever we help the hard of hearing people but whenever stupid kids or nigerians use the service, we just want to kill ourselves for even assisting such calls. we have no choice but to process the call because we can't interject. we now have disconnect procedures but some nigerians are getting smart and probably are aware of the criteria we are looking for in order to disconnect the call.
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a relay opr, 26 Jan 2007 @ 9:36pm

ip relay abusive calls
it's true that 90 % of the calls are either abusive or fraudulent calls. we feel a certain pride whenever we help the hard of hearing people but whenever stupid kids or nigerians use the service, we just want to kill ourselves for even assisting such calls. we have no choice but to process the call because we can't interject. we now have disconnect procedures but some nigerians are getting smart and probably are aware of the criteria we are looking for in order to disconnect the call.
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Barbara, 17 Dec 2007 @ 5:04am

possible fraud
I was contacted by an IP relay, in response to an ad placed in NC publication for the sale of furniture. The instructions were that the cost of shuipping would be included in the money order and I, the seller, was to pay the shipping company by writing it directly.
I have asked the woman (Eri Smith) for her personal contact info and told her I cannot comply, but that SHE would have to pay the shipping company herself.
How do I know if this is a bona fide person and a legitimate, non-fraudulent request?
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Deborah, 19 Jun 2014 @ 8:55am

i want talk aonline for relay
hello mother
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debbie, 13 Nov 2014 @ 9:54am

I P relay
I am very upset. I am unable to speak on the phone due to ALS in my brain. I will lose this communication tomorrow. Why did abusers screw this up for people with disability. I hope you sleep well now that people can't use phone. I know I won't be sleeping well do to all of this. It is bad enough I will die at a young age.
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