TeleZapper TZ 900

Here's how it works: Given that more than 90 percent of telemarketing calls are placed with computer assistance, when either you or your answering machine answers the phone, the Telezapper emits a special tone that tells the computer your number has been permanently disconnected. Telemarketing companies that use automated dialing systems typically remove disconnected numbers from their calling lists, and as your phone number is eliminated from more and more telemarketing lists, you'll notice fewer calls. Of course, not all telemarketers use predictive dialing systems, and those that do will undoubtedly continue their work to evade the Telezapper, but it can be a partial solution.

Most predictive dialing systems will be fooled by the Telezapper's standard single tone. However, for newer dialing systems (presumably designed in response to the success of the previous Telezapper model), the TZ 900 offers an advance three-tone mode. To change the mode, unscrew and remove the protective case and then slide a recessed switch. (We suggest that Privacy Technologies put the switch on the outside for their next model.)

For the most part, regular callers are unaffected by the Telezapper, but it may "zap" calls from other organizations that use the same predictive dialing technology (such as charities, pollsters, and automated emergency weather systems) and from callers who use certain types of calling cards. (For more information, click FAQ, or frequently asked questions, in the left navigation bar.)

Installation takes seconds. Just plug the Telezapper into your phone line and your phone into the Telezapper. It's that simple. A built-in lithium-ion battery provides power and will likely last for the lifetime of the unit. The Telezapper includes a phone cord and instructions. Privacy Technologies backs the device with a one-year warranty. --Mike Brown

Pros

• Reduces telemarketing calls placed by predictive dialing systems
• Doesn't interfere with most normal calls
• Inexpensive, one-time-cost solution
• Extremely easy to install and use

• May "zap" some desired calls
• Annoying beep every time the receiver is lifted

Finally I had enough of the marketing call hassle and decided to fight back. I put a TelezZapper on my Christmas "wish list" and received one as a gift. I was a little skeptical about the thing and wasn't really sure if it would work but a few days after getting the unit the TeleZapper was on my phone line and I was waiting for the first telemarketer call to arrive to get zapped. I was also waiting to see if it would zap my DSL connection since it's on the same phone line.

I didn't have to wait very long. The phone rang, I picked up the receiver, and in about a second I heard the tri-tone signal, and then said "hello" ... the line was silent. I called out again and got no response. I just zapped my first telemarketer and it was great!

I booted up my computer to test my DSL line and it didn't skip a beat. I also checked my caller ID and it still registered numbers.

Finally, something that actually seems to work!

A few things to note:

· Re-record your message machine to allow a 2-3 second gap at the beginning so that the Telezapper can beep and not garble the beginning of your message.

· Tell your friends about the device on your phone and tell them not to hang up when they hear the tones. Some of my friends just thought they got a wrong number and hung up to try again.

· If you're not expecting any calls you may want the call to go to your answering machine first to get zapped and then pick up after you're sure there's a voice at the other end of the line.

· If you pick up the receiver before your answering machine picks up, wait for the tones to go off before putting the receiver to your ear -- the tones are loud.

Overall this is a great little unit and it really does work with my marketing calls dropping by at least 90%.

The next thing I need to do is to place the TeleZapper on my 2nd line -- my fax line -- to get rid of all those junk faxes!

Telemarketers and others use computers to call up people to try to sell them stuff. They can literally dial THOUSANDS of numbers a day. It doesn't matter if your number is unlisted. If it can be generated by a computer, you will get unsolicited calls. Caller ID is great to avoid unwanted calls BUT unfortunately, just because you don't answer, doesn't mean they'll stop calling your number. The phone company offers a "blocking" service, but you pay every month and sometimes every call coming into your number. There is a national and state by state "NO CALL" list you can sign up to on the net. But, I'm signed up with several, I still received DOZENS of calls selling stuff.

For various reasons, the Phone company's computer has an electronic signal to mark disconnected phone numbers to other computerized systems.
The Telezapper TZ900 mimicks these electronic "disconnected" signals. That fools the telemarketers' (and others) computers into believing the number is disconnected and hangs it up. The telemarketers system is set up to delete "disconnected" numbers, so it doesn't waste "valuable" telemarkerters time.
If you have Telezapper connected correctly (pretty easy with instructions), your phone number will eventually show up as disconnected to all the telemarketers! The telemarketers will EVENTUALLY stop calling.
There are NUMEROUS telemarketers with NUMEROUS computerized calling systems, but EVENTUALLY your phone number will be on less and less lists! Thus less & less calls.
It won't be immediately. I noticed a difference after a week. And if you have that one telemarketer who seems to call YOU 8 - 10 times a day, he's gone after just one ZAP!
As telemarketers lives become harder and harder, their equipment becomes more sophisticated. Thus, so do the countermeasures like TeleZapper TZ900. Life in the 21st century. So, unfortunately, I may have to buy an updated "better" one next year.

The pros are that this unit doesn't need a converter to take up an electrical outlet. It has a three tone signal instead of the earlier model's one tone signal. This eliminates even more telemarketing systems!
The cons are that this unit is kind of expensive. And you need to avail yourself of different anti-telemarketing strategies in addition to help eliminate unwanted sales calls completely.

This product is a good tool you can utilize to stop telemarketing abuse.

I was ready to try anything. I almost bought the older model (TZ 800) from a third party, when I learned that the telemarketers are rendering it obsolete by ignoring the single tone that it produces. That's why I decided to buy the newer TZ-900 with a three tone generator.

Immediately after hooking it up, I was still receiving calls during the week. They were hang ups, so that was different. During the second week of ownership was where I noticed that IT WORKED. I could finally have dinner with my family without any interuptions. The concept was very simple, and equally brilliant. I utilize the advanced setting, so the zapper emits three tones that we're accustomed to hearing when we dial a "number that's no longer in service".

Hearing the tone requires some getting used to, but once it no longer bugs you, it's completely transparent, if not amusing. I feel as though I have this permanent camoflauge from telemarketers and that's without additional monthly charges.

The build quality is impressive for an inexpensive electronic product. There are two shiny screws on the bottom holding the unit together very tightly. Comparable electronics, I've noticed, are made in much more of a sloppy fashion. I hope it continues to work this well. No more Daily News, MCI, or AT&T.

The TeleZapper cuts off these calls before they even get to your answering machine, or to you. There are competing products that cost less, but this one is the most effective that I've found.