Do phone companies do this?

Category: Let's talk

Post 1 by audioadict (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Thursday, 14-Feb-2008 7:31:36

Well, I wasn't sure where this goes, but what the heck. Anyway, I heard that with some, if not all phone companies, they include on the bill what numbers you called? Really, I don't agree with that because that's disclosing personal infermation. If these companies know who you call, couldn't they sell or give out those phone numbers of who you've been talking to? Also, do phone companies record calls? If so, won't they be able to get any personal info from that call, or distribute recordings to another third party?
One thing that worries me is, if my friends phone numbers show up on my cell phone bill, couldn't my parents call those friends, or give out there number?
Thanks.

Post 2 by wildebrew (We promised the world we'd tame it, what were we hoping for?) on Thursday, 14-Feb-2008 8:20:38

Well, of course phone companies keep records of who you call and for how long, how else would they be able to bill you? Even if they are mobile phone or cell phone companies with unlimited plans they still need to keep tabs of what numbers you call and for how long, if you want to dispute a phone call, if your phone were stolen etc. They are, I believe, under a non disclosure agreement, and you can choose to not receive paper copy of your bill and then it's only vissible under your online profile that you have to log in to.
You must hve very important and secret friends, you seem so paranoid about your parents finding out who you call, hey, if you sell illegal drugs that's all fine with me, I ain't judging. But shouldn't you give your parents the chance to get some too?

Post 3 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Thursday, 14-Feb-2008 11:23:29

Well, I agree with your post there Wildebrew, though I'll pass on the drugs. *smile* More seriously, I wouldn't worry about phone companies doing this. I've never heard of one that didn't, and as was pointed out, they have very good reason to do so and they can't disclose that information... unless you're the Greek prime minister and they're illegally tapping your line. Big scandal about that last year. lol

Post 4 by audioadict (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Thursday, 14-Feb-2008 13:01:12

Good advice. I'll tell my cell phone company not to give out a copy of my bill, that way my parents won't be able to make contact with the phone numbers that are listed. Thank god these companies should be under some kind of confidentiality agreement, for mine and my friend's sake. I will still have my parents to worry about. They have all, even online access to the cell phone bill, since it's their plan, but I hope they won't sell, or distribute my friends' phone numbers..

Post 5 by purple penguin (Don't you hate it when someone answers their own questions? I do.) on Friday, 15-Feb-2008 11:49:34

Why would your parents do something like that.

Post 6 by Izzito (This site is so "educational") on Friday, 15-Feb-2008 11:54:37

some companies even offer to send your statement in braille if you choose to.

Post 7 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Friday, 15-Feb-2008 17:26:11

Really? which ones do this?

Post 8 by sea star (I just keep on posting!) on Friday, 15-Feb-2008 17:43:24

of course, companies are going to keep records of your calls.

Post 9 by Brooke (I just keep on posting!) on Saturday, 16-Feb-2008 12:11:46

I know Verizon offers a phone bill in Braille.

Post 10 by Izzito (This site is so "educational") on Saturday, 16-Feb-2008 15:15:30

I know t-mobile and sprint/nextel do it as well.

Post 11 by audioadict (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Monday, 18-Feb-2008 19:57:22

I don't know if my parents would give out my friend's phone numbers. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Post 12 by purple penguin (Don't you hate it when someone answers their own questions? I do.) on Monday, 18-Feb-2008 20:18:59

What about your parents giving out your phone number. Isn't it kind of the same thing?

Post 13 by audioadict (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Tuesday, 19-Feb-2008 12:46:15

Yeh, that's about the same thing. I know my parents never give out my phone number. They never have.

Post 14 by audioadict (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Thursday, 12-Jun-2008 23:40:00

Well, we told the cell phone companies not to include any phone numbers on our bill because it charged us to have the numbers included. Thank goodness!

Post 15 by singingsensation (I just keep on posting!) on Monday, 23-Jun-2008 23:30:13

I don't think that my phone company reveals the numbers that I call on a bill. I personally think that that is really stupid.

Post 16 by SunshineAndRain (I'm happily married, a mom of two and a fulltime college student.) on Tuesday, 24-Jun-2008 0:05:06

If they did distribute your private information, you can take the matter to court and file a lawsuit. And, what's the deal about your parents calling your personal numbers that are on your bill? You're an adult for crying out loud...

Post 17 by singingsensation (I just keep on posting!) on Monday, 14-Jul-2008 22:55:20

Well said. It's none of your parents' business who you call. That was the stupidest question I've ever heard of! Think about it - then you'll know what I mean. Since you're an adult, your parents don't give a fuck who you call anyway. Parents must be really stupid if they want to give out your friends' phone numbers. And why would your parents want to call your friends?

Post 18 by martin (The One And Only) on Tuesday, 15-Jul-2008 14:10:37

its really quite simple, you can have a full itemized bill and just a simple bill. the full itemized bill shows everything from phone calls to text messages, the simple bill shows charges and thats it.

Post 19 by SFAIdol (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Wednesday, 16-Jul-2008 21:56:49

My cell phone company does print the numbers I've called on my bill. I actually found it helpful when I needed to look up a number I could not remember. It was a toll free number, so that narrowed it down to just two numbers. My mother really doesn't care who I call, since I'm an adult, and she has better things to do than look at my cell phone bill to call my friends, family, and other people. She has better things to do.

Post 20 by singingsensation (I just keep on posting!) on Friday, 18-Jul-2008 21:30:36

That is a good point I didn't think of. Thanks for that.

Post 21 by Dirty Little Oar (I'd rather be rowing.) on Tuesday, 22-Jul-2008 12:58:06

First of all, the phone company isn't going to give out phone numbers on your bill. It's against the law. Secondly, if you don't want your mom and dad to see who you're calling, then get your own phone plan. Your parents are paying the bill and have a right to see what they're paying for. If you don't like it, how about growing up and getting off mom and dad's teet. You're an adult. Act like it. And finally, who are you calling anyway?Are all your friends in the witness protection program? Relax. I'm sure your parents won't object to anyone you call if you're just talking to friends. Now, if you're into phone sex or dealing, or book making, then they might have an issue. But you really don't seem like the type. So, seriously, relax.

Post 22 by GreenTurtle (Music is life. Love. Vitality.) on Tuesday, 22-Jul-2008 15:45:10

Lol, good points. My parents are paying for my phone bill right now, and honestly I don't care if they see who I'm calling. Most of my friends have cell phones anyway, so I don't even think their names show up on the bill. And even if they do, so what? Jeez, get a life.