Ed’s Telecom Alert

 All..

Thanks to a California friend for this article. 

Modesto Bee Article

I continue to get emails and phone calls from various companies and persons that they are being swindled by nefarious persons who are hearing and calling through Internet Relay Service.  So when Internet Relay providers claim that they have fraudulent relay calls under control, my head shot up a balloon of question marks with one raised eyebrow and one lowered eyebrow with an exclamation "Really?"

I no longer order things via telephone much less via Internet Relay because the companies most of the time will hang up on me - thinking I’m a scammer.  Instead, I opt for online orders via website.  Many deaf/hoh people tell me they, too, do that as well.    

I believe despite onslaught of scammed relay calls, Internet Relay providers really are trying hard to block the crime from happening.  That link shows Go America, Inc may have successfully blocked most of scammed relay calls to the point that they have to lay off relay agents.    Remember Go America has i711 and recently bought Verizon’s IP Relay as well as HOVRS.  Anyway, "success" of blocking fraudulent relay calls means the nefarious people will re-focus on other Internet Relay providers that were not successfully blocking the scammers.   If other Internet Relay providers start laying off their relay agents, we’ll know they’re successful as well.  Both a blessing and curse, it seems. 

One possible solution that I like which we all have been waiting with abated breath is the numbering system.  This numbering system will make it possible for any Internet-enabled relay service providers assign a true telephone number to each relay users.  Relay users can change their relay provider simply by calling different relay provider.  OJO video user can call a Sorenson user simply by using the ph number (instead of [censored] IP Address.   Nice.    Keep in mind this solution is intended for accessing to e911; however, the positive side effect of this numbering system should minimize scammers big time. It is because Internet-enabled relay providers or database service companies will now have to verify the relay users are indeed from America because they need names & addresses as to where they can send police, ambulance, or firetruck to. 

Unfortunately, my face is turning blue for holding my abated breath to see the number system be implemented.  Internet Relay providers and database service companies all have come out with solutions.  Good.  Now need to decide on one and go with it ASAP.   Hasn’t happened.   I know bureaucracy in federal gov’t moves slowly, but seems to be as fast as speedy snail.  

So really - it is now in the FCC’s ball park to move on.  

In the meantime, kudos to GA for blocking the scammed relay calls.  Hope it continues.   Scammers will try to circumvent the blockage and I hope they will not be successful this time.  

eyes open & thumbs up,

Ed

All..

I think you will find this extremely interesting…

First check out Worldgate Communications Inc statement

WG Statement

Then read SNAPVRS counter statement

 SNAPVRS Statement

From these links we learn that Worldgate’s reference to "largest customer" seems to be SNAPVRS.  We also learn why OJO network has been inaccessible; Worldgate "wind down business" - which means stop or cut down network connection.  That is why OJO users do not have access to SNAPVRS.       

We also learn from SNAPVRS its counter response that conflicts with what Worldgate Communications claim is happening. 

I’m sure many of you felt the same way as I did - getting comfortable with OJO video phone - it is really a nice video phone.  Now this problem.  I am sure that the FCC is taking a hard look at that and may have to revamp its VRS regulations to ensure that this won’t happen again.  In other words, VRS industry would have to meet regulation that they have redundant service in place.  We’ll see how the FCC responds ot this latest growing pain - or should I say a mesquite thorn?  

At any rate, I am sure SNAPVRS folks are working as hard as they can to make it work.  I feel for SNAPVRS and sincerely hope it works out. 

eyes open & thumbs up,

Ed B