Wishlist: Solve Skype SPIT (Spam over Internet Telephony)

Guest post by Katherine Robinson in response to SkypeIn number used by con artists, Skype Journal, 24 March 2008.

I just got a Skype online number and I love it. I want to use it for both business and personal. But there is no way to opt out of allowing my number to be given out to complete strangers by Skype or some Skype affiliate or provider (21st century telco? Level 3 Communications?) other than to say "only people in my contacts can use my number." Business users to whom I have given the number may not yet be in my contacts —  I don't want them to have problems reaching me, so I am forced to leave my number "open for all takers."

I have already gotten a spam call (voice mail recording — arrived at 5AM! — stating that I am pre-approved for a credit card) and I have only had this number ten days. Another friend of mine who has one also gets spam calls regularly — and in the middle of the night!

I can't agree about support tickets. I think Skype purposely answers them so badly (late, inappropriate, canned responses) as to intentionally discourage people from submitting support requests. I am exhausted — just like they want me to be — from my efforts to get questions answered or fix problems via Skype "support."

Skype's parent company, eBay, is just notorious for not caring what works for their customers and only about what works easiest and cheapest for them. What a shame! I really want to increase my use of Skype and am very wiling to pay for services from them. I just am waiting in hopes that the new Google phone features are managed with a bit more consumer respect.

Thanks again!

Katherine Robinson
Determined But Discouraged Skype User

see also:

• The Skype Journal Evil Genius Award: Sexy SPIM for Skype, March 2008
• Skype Spam, February 2005

tags: skype, spam, telemarketing, demon dialing, customer service, google, ebay inc

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