Several readers have reported a new scam that uses phone relay systems for the hearing impaired such as AT&T's Internet Relay Service to defraud merchants and businesses. Even the Nigerian spammers may be getting into the act.
The relay services allow the deaf and/or mute to place a call over the Internet, sending and receiving text that is relayed by an operator. But it appears that privacy policies designed to protect relay system users can also be used by scammers to avoid detection.
"I have received approximately a dozen relay phone calls from people who want to order a large quantity of items, typically HP inkjet cartridges, HP printers, or hard drives," a computer reseller recently wrote. "The caller does not negotiate price, accepting whatever I have quoted. Neither are they willing to identify themselves, and will only pay via a credit card. Typically they will refuse to provide a personal or company name, and won't agree to pay in advance via check or bank draft. I'm certain these are schemes to defraud innocent sellers like me with stolen credit card information."
The reseller thinks the scammers are taking advantage of the anonymity the relay services provide the caller. "ATT operators and customer service personnel have told me that they are bound by FCC rule to not disclose any information about the contacting party during a Relay call," he wrote. "They have also stated they are not allowed to trace or otherwise verify who the caller is or where they are calling from."
Another reader reports receiving a relayed phone call for what sounded like the old Nigerian ambassador's son scam. "How low can these people get?" marveled the reader, who believes the scammer got his name and phone number from his company's website. "First they ruined e-mail, now it looks they're going to try to destroy this service for the deaf."
2:32:57 PM 
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