[Note from Jeff Goldberg: Although this message was anonymized, I am doing some minor editing (cosmetic) and making it even more anonymous] Date: Dec 2000 From: Katzenjammer Subject: toll-free calls - blocking? Hi Jeffery - Regarding your spam comments and tool-free numbers: It has been my understanding that the number from which toll-free calls are made cannot be blocked, even by invoking blocking keypad codes, etc. The below is from US West, which provides a large percentage of phone service in the western US. "In some cases, such as on some party- or coin-operated lines, as well as calls to pay-per-call (900) or toll-free numbers (such as 800/888/877 numbers), the network does not have the capability to block your underlying phone number even if you invoke Caller ID blocking. And there may be other services that rely on this type of automatic number identification (ANI) technology, such as cable companies that offer movies keyed to the automatic delivery of your phone number or pizza companies that route your calls to the closest stores based on your number. There are a variety of businesses that subscribe to these types of services. By federal regulation, however, businesses that utilize this technology can only use it to provide you the service in question or one directly related to it. And, because federal law requires phone numbers associated with facsimile transmissions to be released as part of the facsimile, these phone numbers are not blocked either." Therefore, if one wishes to make a "safe" informative call it should be done from a pay phone. Keep the faith; cheers