“Red Phone, Charter billed me $20 for a one minute call to something called ‘CALLTRACE’ on my phone bill this month. When I called to inquire what the charge was for the Charter customer service rep said she could not discuss it with me and I should call the police. I did and they know nothing about it. I am retired, live alone and never heard of ‘CALLTRACE’ – is there anything you can do to help? I would greatly appreciate it.”
Red Phone: Dear Help, Red Phone did a quick Internet search for Call Trace and learned it is a feature that automatically initiates a trace of the last call you received, according to Verizon (http://www22.verizon.com/residentialhelp/phone/calling+features/call+trace/call+trace.htm). You can use this feature to trace unlawful or threatening calls that alarm, frighten or harass you. The trace results include the calling and called number and the date and the time of the call. The results are sent to the Verizon Unlawful Call Center and are stored for future action.
It goes on to say that charges and fees for using Call Trace may vary.
Good caller, it appears Charter may have added the feature to your service. Call them back and ask how much it costs to add the feature. If you want it, keep it. If not, ask them to remove it from your bill.
Hope that helps.
Dam alarm system now up
“Red Phone, a while back an item was run about the Santa Clara Valley Water District setting up a warning system to alert them of flow changes in the water near the dam. What’s the status of that project?”
Red Phone: Dear Keep Me Posted, Red Phone contacted Marty Grimes, spokesman for the water district, who sent an update.
We finished the “tailwater alarm system,” he said. “It’s up and running.”
The question came about after a reader asked whether or not there is an alert system in place for tsunami threats. Grimes said they do not, but were working on the alarm system that automatically notifies the district if there are unusual changes in flow below the dam.
