IP: 800 directory "assistance" redirecting calls

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> Date: Fri, 16 Nov 2001 12:03:56 -0700
> To: dave () farber net
> From: Brett Glass <brett () lariat org>
>
> Dave:
>
> IPers might be interested in something that happened to me today. I am 
> planning a trip to Denver, and wanted to stay at the Adam's Mark hotel. 
> Not knowing the toll-free number for the chain, I called 800-555-1212 
> (toll-free information) to ask for the number.
>
> "Toll-free directory assistance, powered by TellMe!" said a recorded 
> message. I told the recording that I wanted the number of the Adam's Mark.
>
> However, instead of receiving the correct number for the chain (listed on 
> their Web site as 800-444-ADAM), I received a different number: 
> 800-866-5038. This number was not actually the number of the hotel chains, 
> but rather that of a third party room wholesaler in Orlando, Florida.
>
> Calling the correct number, I confirmed that the hotel chain had no idea 
> that calls were being diverted to a third party.
>
> As the economy continues into recession, we are likely to see more and 
> more instances of "customer hijacking," in which companies -- perceiving 
> their markets as a zero sum game -- work to grab customers from one 
> another in any way possible, regardless of ethics. "Slamming," and the 
> hijacking of ISPs' DSL customers by ILECs, are only two of the many other 
> hijacking techniques which are now becoming prevalent in slowly growing, 
> or shrinking, markets.
>
> --Brett Glass


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