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ASK Maureen (Sourcing/Research HELP) Discussions « back to group
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I've been in the staffing industry for many years and have had all the same "gatekeeper" problems everyone else has when trying to contact passive candidates. This is a major problem when I have to call 30 or 40 people at the same company, where the receptionist starts recognizing me.
Over the years I have learned a lot about different voicemail systems, and have even read a few manuals on specific systems. Because of this, I am able to press certain keys during my voicemail sessions to transfer myself to other extensions, and even obtain extension numbers from the system itself?
Are there any legal issues with this? Please remember, I am not randomly trying passwords to listen to anyone's messages, but rather, using published functions of certain voicemail systems I recognize.
4 replies
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Maureen, I like your quote from Bill below... Nice one.
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As long as you are using the normal functions of the phone system you should be OK. (not an attorney so not giving legal advice) But if you are using it and accessing certain administrator functions especially those that are password protected (shame on them if they don't change the default password of 1234 or whatever) then you could violating some laws though I'm not sure what ones. Depends on what you do and if you get caught.
A phone researcher that I know guessed the admin password to the phone system for a well know computer company and changed the incoming main message for their tech support line from Hi thanks for calling XXXX a customer support rep will be with you in a minute" to " Thanks for calling I know our computers are complete S**T and you bought one and are expecting superior service and all that but guess what, you're not going to get it. We're going to make you sit on hold for an hour or two just to piss you off and then when we do pick up we will be completely rude to you and "accidentally" hang up so you have to call back in and listen to this message again."
Then he changed the admin password.
It took them about 5 hours to figure it out and get the msg down. It took them 60 days to track him down and hit him with an "Electronic Breaking and Entering with malicious intent law suit" He ignored it and it went away as they apparently had no real proof. But he was sweating bullets there for a while...
So good luck with that...and I don't recommend it stick with the above board stuff and you won't be looking over your back.
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Linkedin answers to this question here.
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I see no "legal" issues with what you are doing. I am NOT an attorney. Has someone been whispering in your ear?
;) �??Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.�?? ~ William Shakespeare
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