Um, just got a "relay call"..

[Syringer]

For those who aren't familiar, it's a service for deaf people that works something like this:

AT&T Internet Relay Service allows you to place free text relay calls to telephone users within the U.S. and its territories?right over your web-browser.

I had just gotten out of the shower and saw that my phone had a missed call from a number that I didn't recognize, and didn't really think much of it.

A few minutes later then I get another call (at around 1 a.m) from another strange number and there's an operator on the other end that says, "you are receiving an internet relay call, are you familiar with how this works?"

I reply, "um, no".

She goes on then saying "someone is going to type up messages and I will read them to you and then type your response to them, are you ready?" I then go, "okay..."

The operator then goes, "What's up, honey?" And I'm all and hang up.

Five minutes later then I get a call again from yet another strange number, pick up again, and it's another operator who goes through the same process and I go, "yes I'm ready"..seeing if I can get further with this.

Operator: "Give head?"
Me: "Who is this?"
Operator: "Like cum?" (who is sounding very uncomfortable at this point having to recite this)
Me: "Um, is there a number I can call to stop these calls?"

She then proceeds to give me a customer support number, which I call and ask the rep if I can stop receiving these..and she just explains it's all automated over the internet and anyone can do it so there is no way to stop them except to call my phone service to block the nine different numbers that these calls come from.

I say that's too much work but thank her for her time..

I never knew about this service before, and I do have a suspicion as to who would do this to me..but it is indeed a great prank though a complete waste of time and effort for a very well needed service.

I wonder what percentage of these are used simply as prank calls though.

 

[reverend boltron]

Originally posted by: Syringer
For those who aren't familiar, it's a service for deaf people that works something like this:

AT&T Internet Relay Service allows you to place free text relay calls to telephone users within the U.S. and its territories?right over your web-browser.

I had just gotten out of the shower and saw that my phone had a missed call from a number that I didn't recognize, and don't really think much of it.

A few minutes later then I get another call (at around 1 a.m) and there's an operator on the other end that says, "you are receiving an internet relay call, are you familiar with how this works?"

I reply, "um, no". She goes on then saying "someone is going to type up messages and I will read them to you and then type your response to them, are you ready?" I then go, "okay..."

The operator then goes, "What's up, honey?" And I'm all and hang up. I get a call again from another strange number, pick up again, and it's another operator going through the same process and I go, "yes I'm ready"..seeing if I can get further with this.

Operator: "Give head?"
Me: "Who is this?"
Operator: "Like cum?" (sounding very uncomfortable at this point)
Me: "Is there a number I can call to stop these calls?"

She then proceeds to give me a customer support number, I tell her if I can stop receiving these..and she just explains it's all automated over the internet and anyone can do it so there is no way to stop them except to call my phone service to block the nine different numbers that these calls come from.

I say that's too much work but thank her for her time..

I never knew about this service before, and I do have a suspicion as to who would do this to me..but it is indeed a great prank though a complete waste of time and effort for a very well needed service.

I wonder what percentage of these are used simply as prank calls though.

Maybe the spider learned to type?

 

[cirthix]

Originally posted by: Syringer
For those who aren't familiar, it's a service for deaf people that works something like this:

AT&T Internet Relay Service allows you to place free text relay calls to telephone users within the U.S. and its territories?right over your web-browser.

I had just gotten out of the shower and saw that my phone had a missed call from a number that I didn't recognize, and don't really think much of it.

A few minutes later then I get another call (at around 1 a.m) and there's an operator on the other end that says, "you are receiving an internet relay call, are you familiar with how this works?"

I reply, "um, no". She goes on then saying "someone is going to type up messages and I will read them to you and then type your response to them, are you ready?" I then go, "okay..."

The operator then goes, "What's up, honey?" And I'm all and hang up. I get a call again from another strange number, pick up again, and it's another operator going through the same process and I go, "yes I'm ready"..seeing if I can get further with this.

Operator: "Give head?"
Me: "Who is this?"
Operator: "Like cum?" (sounding very uncomfortable at this point)
Me: "Is there a number I can call to stop these calls?"

She then proceeds to give me a customer support number, I tell her if I can stop receiving these..and she just explains it's all automated over the internet and anyone can do it so there is no way to stop them except to call my phone service to block the nine different numbers that these calls come from.

I say that's too much work but thank her for her time..

I never knew about this service before, and I do have a suspicion as to who would do this to me..but it is indeed a great prank though a complete waste of time and effort for a very well needed service.

I wonder what percentage of these are used simply as prank calls though.

most

 

[imported_Phil]

Sounds like fun.

 

[skim milk]

I never get calls like that "(

 

[brxndxn]

I had a buddy that used to abuse that system and call me with it. It annoyed me like hell..

 

[AStar617]

I've had a few. It's always weird talking slow, then ending with "...go ahead" to let the deaf person know your statement is finished and awaiting a reply

 

[Mo0o]

Sounds like a real fulfilling job

 

[ForumMaster]

hmm. never got any of those calls, but i imagine that it would fell pretty stupid. when you communicate with someone, it should preferably be over the same method. IM to IM, phone to phone, etc. going through someone just feels stupid.

 

[AStar617]

Originally posted by: ForumMaster
hmm. never got any of those calls, but i imagine that it would fell pretty stupid. when you communicate with someone, it should preferably be over the same method. IM to IM, phone to phone, etc. going through someone just feels stupid.

Honestly, any unfamiliar form of communication will feel just as odd.

Remember when I said I took relay calls before? That was only 1/2 of the weirdest pair of convos I ever had. I was working at the MA Dept of Ed. at the time, and received the relay calls from a deaf teacher with questions about public school certification. After a couple relay calls she pretty much knew she had to come in for materials or something, but ended the call with an odd warning relayed thru the operator:

"I don't read lips."

Basically, when she came in, we had quite an interesting first 30sec trying to communicate--she didn't read lips, I didn't know any sign language. Finally I grabbed the back of a form and we had a full conversation on a piece of paper like a manual IM window. It was pretty surreal. I think she wrote a letter commending me to my boss

 

[Eli]

Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha........

I used to use relay all the time.. Easy way to make free phone calls..

I had always wondered if people tried to have phone sex over relay. :laugh:

Talk about awkward for the operator. But it would be cool if (hopefuly a she!) got into it too.

 

[eakers]

this sounds like a prank call they were doing on howard stern last summer. they were pushing and pushing the operator to see what she would say getting more and more ridiculous

 

[Bassyhead]

I'm hard of hearing and sometimes rely on relay services to making phone calls. Typically I use an actual TTY connected to a phone line but sometimes I do use the online relay services. Unfortunately many people do abuse these services. Some services are cracking down, though. IP-Relay, for example (which I believe is the first to provide such a service) now has this notice under the converstation window:

Please be aware that it is a violation of federal law to use your telephone or computer to engage in a communication with the intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any person at a number you call. It is also a violation of federal law to use your telephone or computer to make an obscene communication to a person under 18 years of age. You may be fined or imprisoned for up to two years for making such calls through IP Relay.

 

[vi edit]

I used to do third shift help desk supporting a Unix platform. Every Saturday night at about 3:30AM I'd get a call from a night operator at one of our clients needing help. He was deaf and needed to use the relay calls.

You know how hard it is to give a 50 character long Unix commands over those things accurately?

UHG!

 

[edro]

There were a whole bunch of these MP3s of people using the service that were hilarious. I think they were on Ebaums like a year ago.

We need to find them!

 

[Tommouse]

I can relate. IP Relay was very uncomfortable the first few times. I have taken many of these calls now, as I did tech support for a deaf college. Working there made me very comfortable with being uncomfortable. When I was new I was reserved about going out to help someone who was deaf, as I didn't, and still don't know much more than yes/no/sorry/alphabet/numbers. I figured out though, that the staff we supported really didn't care or expect us to know, but as long as we tried and were patient with other forms of communication they would do the same. Only once have I had someone ask me to leave because I didn't know sign. But anyways as long as you give it your best shot and are understanding they (deaf/hard of hearing) know that it is a bit awkward for you and will probably appreciate the effort.

On topic: I never got a prank relay call before. That poor operator

 

[Fraggable]

I've never gotten a call like that before, but when I worked at Staples some guy came in all the time that was deaf. Every time he came in he asked for me (by writing my name on a sticky note at the front desk and handing it to the head cashier) because he knew I would bring a notepad for us to communicate with. No one else in the store was patient enough to work with him I guess. Anyway, I actually sold him a computer once using that notepad.

 

[j00fek]

stern used to do this all the time

 

[FoBoT]

the service is also being used by scammers and spammers and telemarketers

it is a sad thing

 

[darkamulets]

Percentage of prank calls? When I worked in the FL office from 5pm - 1:30 am.

7/8 calls between 5-8 were scammers from the PST usually since we took country wide calls all over internet relay.

8-11 was just typical stuff, ordering pizzas, calling up the kids, organizing events. 11-11:30 was always a lull. 12:00-1:30 was a few calls for general conversation & the majority were people dicking around on the internet relay service.

I only remember taking a handful of legitimate calls from "Internet Relay" and I worked there for 5 months full-time.

Last I heard they were passing a law to make abuse of this service a punishable offense since IP records are kept of each call. Considering relay service is monitored by the FCC I imagine the penalty wouldn't be a simple slap on the wrist.

 

[Bassyhead]

Originally posted by: darkamulets
Percentage of prank calls? When I worked in the FL office from 5pm - 1:30 am.

7/8 calls between 5-8 were scammers from the PST usually since we took country wide calls all over internet relay.

8-11 was just typical stuff, ordering pizzas, calling up the kids, organizing events. 11-11:30 was always a lull. 12:00-1:30 was a few calls for general conversation & the majority were people dicking around on the internet relay service.

I only remember taking a handful of legitimate calls from "Internet Relay" and I worked there for 5 months full-time.

Last I heard they were passing a law to make abuse of this service a punishable offense since IP records are kept of each call. Considering relay service is monitored by the FCC I imagine the penalty wouldn't be a simple slap on the wrist.

Yup you are correct on the penalties. As I posted above:

Please be aware that it is a violation of federal law to use your telephone or computer to engage in a communication with the intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any person at a number you call. It is also a violation of federal law to use your telephone or computer to make an obscene communication to a person under 18 years of age. You may be fined or imprisoned for up to two years for making such calls through IP Relay.

 

[zanieladie]

Originally posted by: AStar617
I've had a few. It's always weird talking slow, then ending with "...go ahead" to let the deaf person know your statement is finished and awaiting a reply

I've had to do this at work when I've had deaf clients. It does take a while to get through the phone call and it feels weird talking "through" another person...but if it helps those with hearing impairments access lines of communication, then I'm all for it.

Just wish people wouldn't abuse the TDD system...

 

[SampSon]

You got pranked.
Relay calls are hilarious.

 

[skrilla]

I used to get relay calls every once in a while when I worked at a pizza shop.
They were all from deaf people, never pranks.

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
I used to do third shift help desk supporting a Unix platform. Every Saturday night at about 3:30AM I'd get a call from a night operator at one of our clients needing help. He was deaf and needed to use the relay calls.

You know how hard it is to give a 50 character long Unix commands over those things accurately?

UHG!

I would have set up some sort of chat system just for him.