sundance-communications.com/forum Forums General General Telephone & Systems Information Device to answer a wrong number?

I've been getting a lot of wrong numbers lately, about one a day. I've got CID and it's to the point now if I don't recognize the name and number I let the phone ring until voicemail picks up. Is there such a device that I can install that will, with a push of a button, answer the line, inform the caller that they have dialed the wrong number, and hang up?

Sandman has/had a device that answered with the 3 note chime that indicated the number was disconnected. Don't remember if it also actually said 'This number has been disconnected or is no longer in service'. John C. (Not Garand)

If you have a VM make a box with that message and program a button to fwd to that box

This is in my home. Nothing special, just POTS. Voicemail is actually through the phone company.

I actually thought about getting an old answering machine, setting it to one ring, and installing a simple switch on the line in, but that whole setup seems to bulky. Plus if I forget to set the switch back the next person that calls will get the machine immediately.

HERE is what you need. Note the fine print though, there appears to be a patent issue going on.

Many phone companies have call screening as an option. It forces the caller to dial a digit before passing the call on and ringing your home phone. Since most, if not all, telemarketing/collectors have a call center to auto dial before its xfrd to the operator, this option kills about 95% of unwanted calls.

I have an Asterisk system at my house, and callers get placed into a queue with on hold music playing. I haven't had a telemarketer make it through to me yet. I am thinking about setting a queue that takes unknown or private numbers and doesn't ring anywhere, if they want to listen to the music, go right ahead.

I have an Asterisk system at my house, and callers get placed into a queue with on hold music playing.

Many systems are capable of doing that. The original question was about a single line phone in a residence.

-Hal

Pants
What if it's not a wrong number?

Maybe the Lottery is calling telling you they are bringing your check. Or you Mom who has a flat tire and her cell didn't have service and the nice man let her borrow his.

So answer your phone and quit bi*$%ing

A spare analog line port and a transfer plus star and The Phone Butler might just do. See https://www.arkon.com/promotion.php for details. $9.95 ain't bad for a little peace of mind for the shy or squeemish.