How To Stop Collection Calls - Part 2 - The Free Option

I recently wrote an article on adopting some practical approaches to help reduce harassing collection calls. My first article on this subject highlighted the use of a call privacy manager from your phone company and a telezapper type of device. In my experience both of these methods can be a highly effective means for dealing with these types of annoying calls. I have also done some further research and tested the free method described below with good results.

What a telezapper essentially does is emit a special information tone ("SIT") when you or your answering machine picks up. The SIT tricks the predictive dialer into thinking your number is not in service and it will usually delete your number from its records. Provided the predictive dialer being used by the collection agency or telemarketers is set to remove telephone numbers from its records when it hears a SIT, you will enjoy many more quiet dinners with your family, and fewer harassing phone calls.

Google "special information tone" and you will find several websites that have SIT information and let you play the tone to hear it.

TIP: You can download this tone for free from many of these websites and record it onto your answering machine prior to your voice mail greeting. If you do this it is a good idea to leave a couple of seconds of dead air between the SIT and your greeting.

This technique is free and can be nearly as effective at stopping collection calls and telemarketer using predictive dialers. The only downside is that that real callers trying to reach you will have to tolerate the SIT before they hear your greeting.

Richard Cooper is Founder & CEO at Total Debt Freedom Inc. Canada's most respected debt settlement company. Total Debt Freedom offers debt settlement plans that can save you 50-70% of what you owe and get you debt free in 1 - 3 years. http://www.totaldebtfreedom.ca