Anonymity?

[ljc]

When you do prank calls or things like that (example Blockbuster social engineering), do you do it from a phone line that could be traced to you and just block your number? If not, how do you make your calls?

[z09]

Unless you are doing something illegal *67 is good enough.  Unless they have proof that you could harm someone the phone company problaly won't trace it. 

Your best bet is a callling card.  They get an ANI failure usually.  Just don't get 99 cent store's phone card.  They suck 

[ljc]

Could a hotel "front desk" prank call be considered harassment? Would they try to trace a call like that?

[z09]

I doubt it.  Usually buissnesses are fine its when you get somebody's personal phone number is when they phreak out.  Be careful that they don't have ANI, though.  ANI as you problaly know can't be blocked.

EDIT: You really don't need to worry that much.  As long as you aren't thretening phone companys usually won't do much about it.  Trust me.  I am sure Mike the Nextel empoyee can confirm this.  Here are some tips:

1. Call from a pay phone- besides security cameras there is no real way to find out who you are

2. Use a cell phone and blocking- You can't use *69 or *57 on a cell phone.  Block it, though, so caller id won't work

3. Calling card- My favorite trick.  You can even sometimes spoof numbers if you call the operator before you dial your local access number.  But DON'T USE THE 99 CENT STORE CALLING CARDS.  THE FORWARD ANI AND CALLER ID!

4. Beige Box it- illegal but you choose who it gets traced to

[rbcp]

Back in '97, I was arrested for calling up some lady a few times and saying silly things to her.  She *57'ed me 3 times and then called the police.  The police contacted the phone company, I guess, and they handed over my info.  I also got in trouble with the cops once for tricking a lady out of her credit card number.  I only called that lady once and I never actually used the credit card number.  I just wanted to see if it could be done.  So you don't necessarily have to make threats to get yourself in trouble.

When I made all the Blockbuster calls, I just called direct from my Vonage line, using *67.  I never learn.

[z09]

She *57'ed me 3 times and then called the police. 

Yeah with cell phones you don't have to worry about *57 or *69.  Everytime I make any calls I use my cell phone, which happens to have complete blocking so I don't need to dial *67 each time.  But inorder for most Telephone companys to give out the information to the police you need to have called at least 3 times.  And as long as you are not hurting anyone the target problaly won't even worry about it.  Most people don't even know what *57 is.

EDIT: And RBCP how long were you in jail for that credit card thing?   

[ljc]

I also use VoIP. Were the hotel calls made from Vonage as well?

[z09]

I also use VoIP. Were the hotel calls made from Vonage as well?

What are you worried about?  Have you been harrasing a hotel 

[ljc]

Nope, I haven't made any calls yet using any of MY own lines yet. The Blockbuster ones are funny though.

[z09]

Nope, I haven't made any calls yet using any of MY own lines yet. The Blockbuster ones are funny though.

So you were using a payphone?  Or your friends line?

[ljc]

None yet. They sound funny to make though.

[CountyKid]

Use Skype.

[z09]

Use Skype.

Why Skype?  Is it true you can pick what number to show up on caller id?  And you can unmask blocked numbers?

[ljc]

Skype requires headphones, which I don't have I might try one hotel prank call later using my VoIP line and *67. If they need 3 calls to *57 me then they shouldn't be able to get the info. What about *69 - last call return?

[CountyKid]

Skype requires Headphones? What the fuck are you talking about?

  A cheap PC mic won't run you more then five bucks at any store (Target, Wal-Mart, Radioshack).

  From my use of Skype, the number shows up as 00012345 or something. But I've been using it to call tons of people for the past 24 hours. It's free, it's very tough for them to figure out who it's coming from. Use it.