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Your Privacy
Protecting Your Privacy
Are you concerned about your privacy? Customers who subscribe to Caller ID service have a display unit attached to their telephone that shows the number and/or name of the person calling. If your privacy is a concern and you do not want your name and telephone number to be seen by the person you are calling, you have these two options:
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Caller ID Blocking - Per Call
This option allows you to block your directory information (phone number, or name and phone number) from being delivered on an individual basis to the person you call. This is accomplished by dialing *67 (1167 on rotary phones) immediately prior to placing each call. Only the current call will be blocked.
Caller ID Blocking - Per Line
With this option, your directory information will automatically not be delivered. If you wish to have your directory information delivered on specific calls, you may do so by dialing *82 (1182 on rotary phones) immediately before each call. Delivery will occur on the current call only. In order to subscribe to this service we require a “Request For Line Blocking Service” form to be completed. Contact the Business Office, if interested.
Other Important Information Concerning Caller ID Blocking
There are two instances where blocking will not work: 1. For your safety, your directory information will always be delivered when dialing 9-1-1. You do have the right to suppress your name but not your number from appearing on the 9-1-1 call taker’s screen by completing a “Private Citizen” form. This form is available at your local town office. 2. Your directory information will be revealed to an “800” service provider when you call them, even if your call is blocked. The FCC ruled that parties with “800” numbers have the right to know who is calling them, in part because they pay for the call.
Other Privacy Options
Non-Published Number
Your telephone number is not listed in the directory, nor is it available through directory assistance. Your number will appear on Caller ID display units of customers subscribing to Caller ID service unless you subscribe to Per Line Blocking or use Per Call Blocking service...................Monthly $2.50
About Telephone Sales Calls
How To Reduce Unwanted Telemarketing At Home...
Many people find that telemarketing calls provide them with valuable information about products and services. But if you would rather not receive these calls, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have established a National Do-Not-Call Registry to address consumer concerns about unwelcome telemarketing calls.
The registry applies to all telemarketers (with the exception of certain nonprofit and political organizations) and covers both interstate and intrastate telemarketing calls. Commercial telemarketers are not allowed to call you if your number is listed on the registry.
You can register your phone number for free, and it will remain on the National Do-Not-Call Registry indefinitely, and you may remove your name from the list at any time. The Do-Not-Call Registry will not prevent all
unwanted calls.
If you have any questions about any of these services please call our Business Office at 885-9000.
• from organizations with which you have established a business relationship • for which you have given prior written consent • that are not commercial or do not include unsolicited advertisements • from or on behalf of tax-exempt non-profit organizations
To Register By Telephone
You must call from the phone number you wish to register.
To Register By Internet
Inclusion of your telephone number on the National Do-Not-Call
Registry will be effective within 30 days following your registration.
Do-Not-Call Solicitor Notification
As you are likely aware, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have established a National Do-NotCall Registry. As part of the do-not-call initiative, the FCC requires us to notify customers who use our service for making telephone solicitations (telemarketing calls) regarding the National Do-Not-Call rules and regulations. We recognize that few of our customers use our services for telemarketing; however, because we do not have records indicating which customers may do telemarketing, we are informing all business customers.
If you are a company, individual, or other entity that makes telemarketing calls, it is very important that you familiarize yourself with the operations of the National Do-Not-Call Registry and the rules requiring checking of the National Do-Not-Call Registry as part of making telemarketing calls. Unless you fall under one of the exceptions established in the FCC/FTC rules (such as the exception for telemarketing by charitable organizations or for prior business relationships), you may not make telemarketing calls to numbers included in the National Do-Not-Call Registry. Before you rely on one of the exceptions, you should consult the rules. For information about the regulations, you may visit the National Do-Not-Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov. You can find the FCC and FTC rules governing telemarketing and telephone solicitation, at 47 C.F.R. §64.1200 And 16 C.F.R. Part 310, respectively.
Obscene & Harassing Phone Calls
Call Trace is an “always on” service giving you the choice of “tracing” an annoyance call anytime day or night. The cost for each successful trace is $5.00, maximum charge per month is $10.00.
Call Trace Instructions
1. Immediately after receiving an annoyance call, hang up. 2. Press *57, a recording will tell you if the Call Trace was successful. This information is kept on file at VTel for 20 days. 3. Note the date and time of the call you traced. This information is needed for VTel to identify the call.
Call Trace Information
1. You must sign a release form provided to you by your local law enforcement personnel. 2. The local law enforcement personnel will bring the release to VTel. They will give us the date and time of the traced call. Information regarding the call will be given to them. 3. The local law enforcement personnel will notify you with the call trace information. 4. If the call that was traced is non-published a subpoena is required to obtain the information.
You Have The Right
You have the right to prosecute harassing callers. Vermont state law makes these types of calls punishable on conviction and liable to fine or imprisonment or both.
