TeleZapper2020's Mission

TeleZapper.com is an online resource that provides
valuable information to help consumers protect their personal identity,
financial safety, privacy and peace of mind.

The site offers methods, tips, links and advice to prevent
criminals from doing harm, with special attention
to the dangers of tele-criminals and Robocallers.

​History of TeleZapper 2020

​​Bob Bensman has been in the telecommunication field for more than 30 years. He’s owned and managed both live operator customer service and automated notification delivery companies.  He created the concept of the “telecommuter” or “virtual agent” which provided thousands of people the opportunity to work as customer service agents from their own home, including those with physical disabilities. 

In 1997, Bob invented and patented the original TeleZapper, a device that was successfully used with traditional landlines by millions of customers to stop billions of unwanted and illegal calls.  When a call came in, a short tone would play, tricking the computer-generated telemarketing caller into thinking the consumer's line had been disconnected, causing the telemarketer's computer to hang up.  For years, the TeleZapper was the most effective device for stopping telemarketing calls.

However, since about 2002, there has have seen a substantial shift from traditional analog landline phones. Today, more and more consumers use only their mobile phone, and many consumers have moved to VoIP services offered by cable and Internet providers for home use. The original TeleZapper device last made in 2000 wasn't designed for these newer applications and is far less effective then it was originally.  We are no longer affiliated with these original devices and cannot recommend them.

In 2016, we launched TeleZapper2020, our anti-RoboCall advocacy. Our team maintains this not-for-profit website to provide articles, tips and links for consumers with information on how to prevent unwanted calls and improve their safety, security and peace of mind, while we continue to pursue the ultimate solution for stopping all RoboCalls to mobile phones and landlines. 


TeleZapper Tele-Tips to Tele-Safety
​

• Never answer a call when you do not recognize the Caller ID.
• If you do answer a call and determine it is an unwanted RoboCaller or telemarketer, hang up immediately.
• Never press any buttons on your phone after answering a RoboCall.
• Do not respond to any questions, especially those that can be answered with "Yes" or "No."
• Never engage in conversations with unwanted callers. Say nothing. Just hang up. Don't be embarrassed. They are intruding into your space.
• Never give out any personal information including Social Security #’s, credit card, debit card or any bank information to anyone calling you.
• Use caution if you are being pressured for information immediately.
• If you get an inquiry from someone who says they represent a company or a government agency, hang up and call the phone number on your account statement, or on the company's or government agency's website to verify the authenticity of the request.  You will usually get a written statement in the mail before you get a phone call from a legitimate source, particularly if the caller is asking for a payment.
• Never call back a number from an unknown caller. If it’s important and legitimate, they will leave you a voicemail or contact you via alternate communication.
• If an unwanted caller gets to your voicemail, do not respond to any message left unless you can verify the legitimate purpose of the call with a trusted third party. 
• If you have a voice mail account with your phone service, be sure to set a password for it. Some voicemail services are preset to allow access if you call in from your own phone number. A hacker could spoof your home phone number and gain access to your voice mail if you do not set a password.
• Put your number on the Federal Do Not Call list. It is not perfect, but it does stop some sales calls from legitimate companies.
• Use free call blocking devices, services and apps that can slow down or stop unwanted calls altogether.
• Talk to your phone company about call blocking tools they may have and check into apps that you can download to your mobile device to block unwanted calls. Information on available robocall blocking tools is available at fcc.gov/robocalls.