NYTimes: on Trapcall

A Technological Boost to the Cat-and-Mouse Game Between Callers and the Called

Excerpt:

Almost since the dawn of the telephone, people have sought to avoid the unwelcome caller, relying on technologies from the answering machine to caller ID. But pranksters, harassers, bill collectors and telemarketers have found ways to circumvent caller ID by hiding their identities — listing a telephone number as “private caller” or “restricted” with their phone company.

Now, new services are aiming to outfox anonymous callers.

TrapCall, offered by TelTech Systems Inc., based in New Jersey, diverts an anonymous call to an 800 number, and then discloses the incoming number and name to the intended recipient, said Meir Cohen, president and co-founder of the company. The caller hears a normal ring tone and is unaware that the call is being traced to its source.

Website: TrapCall. Only works for cellular.