Mystery calls placed from my home

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Jul 10, 2005 Posts: 2

When I checked my activity page for placed calls I found that something has been intermittently dialing two different 800 numbers from my phone number. The numbers are: 800 531 5602 and 866 709 2073. In the several months I have had service it has dialed the first number 679 times and the second number 921 times. I have ruled out the fax machine. One of my computers does not have a modem and the other computer's modem is disabled. I called the CSR and he said it was probably my fax and I have since ruled that out. I do not have a DVR. There is no other device in my home that could be placing these calls. All calls are for a duration of one minute. I called the numbers manually and I get a quick tone and then a disconnect. A data dialup? A fax? Many of the calls are placed at times when my computers are both turned off.

I have had Vonage (Earthlink Unlimited Voice) for several months now and have been generally pleased, but their customer reps haven't been too helpful on this. I suspect that somehow this is a malfunction of some sort of the Voip device since I cannot imagine how anything else in my home could be placing these calls.

Has anyone else had problems like this?

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2005 8:05 am Post subject:

home alarm system?

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Jul 10, 2005 Posts: 2

No home alarm system. However, after reading more messages on this forum I am beginning to suspect DirecTV. I have two Hughes DirecTV receivers in my house. DirecTV says they only call about once per day and when you use PPV. However I found a thread on this forum where a user was having the EXACT same pattern of outgoing calls to two different toll-free numbers. The numbers he listed are different than mine, but that may have something to do with the regions we're in or something. If that's their reason for the calls then OK, I am just getting tired of looking at pages and pages of calls to these numbers. I suppose this problem is basically benign, but I'll do more checking to make sure.

Thank

Posts: 605 · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2005 8:24 am Post subject:

DirecTV and Dish Networks receivers may be dialing out too.

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2005 8:26 am Post subject:

yeah they're probably trying to update or whatever they do but they can't since it's over Vonage (see data/fax forum for more info and possible fixes) so they keep calling.

Posts: 63 · Full Forum Member Joined: Jan 14, 2005 Posts: 63

Slightly off topic, but my Dish Network 501 calls some 800 number every day. I don't know why, as the program guide can be downloaded off of the bird just as my other DN receivers that are not hooked to phone lines do.

The only reason I have the 501 hooked to a phone line in the first place is that I like the caller ID on the TV screen! I never order PPV movies.

I suspect DN is keeping track of what I watch for advertising purposes. It mildly annoys me, but not enough to un-plug the phone line. If I had the 500 minute Vonage plan it might be an issue.

Posts: 605 · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 1:52 pm Post subject:

I enjoy the caller id on the screen as well. But after reviewing my call logs I seen that the DirecTV UltimateTV receiver was dialing out 100's of times a day. Would even try to dial out when I was on phone calls. So I had to unplug the receiver.

Posts: 318 · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:34 pm Post subject:

mbkerk wrote:

I suspect DN is keeping track of what I watch for advertising purposes. It mildly annoys me, but not enough to un-plug the phone line. If I had the 500 minute Vonage plan it might be an issue.

Actually, I believe there is no charge for toll-free numbers on the 500 minute plan. At least, they've shown up for me on the Free Minutes section.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Jul 12, 2005 Posts: 3

What version of the DISH network will display caller ID on the screen?

Posts: 63 · Full Forum Member Joined: Jan 14, 2005 Posts: 63

Elmar66 wrote:

What version of the DISH network will display caller ID on the screen?

My 501 receiver with the PVR (digital video recorder) does. I think the 510 does as well. I have an older HTS 4500 that does not.

You have to enable the option in the menu.