Unauthorized caller on the line while talking!

[Savario]

Ok that explains why I could never get to my voice.mail, since all my other lines are not fPL or fongo.
But it doesn't explain why the 2nd call is not logged in the fpl account? If it actually forwarded the call then it should be listed in the log,
Probably the easiest solution is to dump my fpl account!

[mh1983]

Did you ever try to submit a ticket?

[Liptonbrisk]

But it doesn't explain why the 2nd call is not logged in the fpl account?

Only answered calls appear in FPL's call logs. For example, if I call and hang up before anyone answers the call, the incoming call will not appear.
Also, if I get the message "The user you are trying to reach is not available", the call will not appear either in FPL's call log.
Reaching FPL's voicemail counts as an answered call and will appear in the call log.

If it actually forwarded the call then it should be listed in the log,

With Follow Me enabled, when there's already an existing call, the second incoming call will not be forwarded unless it's from another FPL, Fongo Mobile, or Fongo Home Phone number.
Instead, the incoming caller (unless it's from a FPL, Fongo Mobile, or Fongo Home Phone number) will hear the message, "The user you are trying to reach is not available", and that call will not appear in your FPL call log.

With Follow Me enabled, when there's already an existing call, the second incoming call will be forwarded if it's from another FPL, Fongo Mobile, or Fongo Home phone number. However, if this second incoming call is not answered by one of the Follow Me numbers, the call will not be answered by FPL's voicemail. Instead the caller will hear, "The user you are trying to reach is not available."

[Savario]

thank you for the detailed explanation, i'm switching the FPL follow me settings to forward to a VoIP (non-bell) line instead. If the problem persists, then I can assume it had nothing to do with the Bell Line (cross-talk, call waiting problem, or other bell related problem)

I have not entered a ticket to fongo for this. if it happens again, i'll report it here...

[Liptonbrisk]

thank you for the detailed explanation, i'm switching the FPL follow me settings to forward to a VoIP (non-bell) line instead. If the problem persists, then I can assume it had nothing to do with the Bell Line (cross-talk, call waiting problem, or other bell related problem)

And you should also ensure you're not accidentally pressing the "flash" button on a wireless phone, or, otherwise, quickly pressing down on the hook. You may also want to check if there's a fault with the flash button on your phone (slightly stuck).

I have not entered a ticket to fongo for this. if it happens again, i'll report it here...

If it happens again, try submitting a ticket and ask for your account to be checked, but I'm not sure they'll bother since you haven't paid for anything.

It should be noted that if Follow Me is enabled, the only way for another caller to reach you by dialing your FPL phone number is if that caller is calling you using Freephoneline, Fongo Mobile, or Fongo Home Phone.
Freephoneline blocks incoming SIP URI calls otherwise, so the incoming call can't come from another VoIP provider, and with Follow Me enabled, call waiting won't work with Freephoneline with incoming landlines and cell phones calls. If the other caller is fax spamming using a FPL or Fongo Home Phone account, that breaks their terms of service, and in that case, they should be notified (by submitting a ticket).

[Savario]

And you should also ensure you're not accidentally pressing the "flash" button on a wireless phone, or, otherwise, quickly pressing down on the hook. You may also want to check if there's a fault with the flash button on your phone (slightly stuck).

I get no warning before the call barges in, so i'm not accidentally pressing flash. Even if i did, it would have to do it at the exact time that someone else (the fax spammer) is calling me. If flash was stuck ,it would be a problem on all incoming calls as you'd hear the line switch to a dial tone when pressing flash. Trust me, its not any error on my part or someone else pressing buttons while I'm on the line. If there is a problem, its with FONGOs internal network or with how BELL is handling call waiting (assuming the call was forwarded by FollowMe) . I can rule out BELL soon on this...as it won't be using the land-line anymore.

it should be noted that if Follow Me is enabled, the only way for another caller to reach you by dialing your FPL phone number is if that caller is calling you using Freephoneline, Fongo Mobile, or Fongo Home Phone.
Freephoneline blocks incoming SIP URI calls otherwise, so the incoming call can't come from another VoIP provider, and with Follow Me enabled, call waiting won't work with Freephoneline with incoming landlines and cell phones calls.]

OK I Don't need SIP URI to SIP URI calls.I only use my fpl account/number to forward a call to my land-line. Its only used by one caller (and the fax spammer). The fpl is basically a throw-away number, it allows someone in another city to call me using a local number without having to pay long distance charges.

[Liptonbrisk]

If flash was stuck ,it would be a problem on all incoming calls as you'd hear the line switch to a dial tone when pressing flash

I didn't mean stuck down. I meant slighty stuck or even loose--so that the button triggers even when it's not pressed. On keyboards where certain keys have become gummed up or damaged, they can start entering occasional keystrokes on their own without the user doing anything. I'm not a phone pad expert, but I suspect the same problem can occur.

I guess you're certain it's not a problem with your phone. So, let's rule that out then.

it should be noted that if Follow Me is enabled, the only way for another caller to reach you by dialing your FPL phone number is if that caller is calling you using Freephoneline, Fongo Mobile, or Fongo Home Phone.
Freephoneline blocks incoming SIP URI calls otherwise, so the incoming call can't come from another VoIP provider, and with Follow Me enabled, call waiting won't work with Freephoneline with incoming landlines and cell phones calls.If the other caller is fax spamming using a FPL or Fongo Home Phone account, that breaks their terms of service, and in that case, they should be notified (by submitting a ticket).

OK I Don't need SIP URI to SIP URI calls.I only use my fpl account/number to forward a call to my land-line. Its only used by one caller (and the fax spammer). The fpl is basically a throw-away number, it allows someone in another city to call me using a local number without having to pay long distance charges.

It's not an issue of whether you need SIP URI calls. All FPL, Fongo Mobile, or Fongo Home phone calls to FPL are SIP URI calls. And that's the only way a second incoming call can reach you on your FPL phone number, while a call is in progress, with Follow Me enabled. As I've established previously, call waiting will not work with Follow Me enabled unless the incoming call is a SIP URI call. And FPL blocks all incoming SIP URI calls unless they're from FPL, Fongo Mobile, or Fongo Home Phone. You can't send faxes with Fongo Mobile. That leaves FPL or Fongo Home Phone for the second incoming call, while Follow Me is enabled, unless you're experiencing crosstalk with Bell or something extremely weird with your FPL account.

In other words, if the second incoming call (if call waiting is being triggered when Follow Me is enabled) is a fax spammer, it stands to reason that second incoming call is coming from an FPL or Fongo Home Phone number. If that's the case, I would be opening a ticket to report abuse.

If it's some random spam call barging in though, then you might want to open a ticket to get your FPL account checked.

[Savario]

In other words, if the second incoming call (if call waiting is being triggered when Follow Me is enabled) is a fax spammer, it stands to reason that second incoming call is coming from an FPL or Fongo Home Phone number. If that's the case, I would be opening a ticket to report abuse.

that's what I was speculating from the start. This spammer is using the same network, thus getting through the back door somehow.

[Liptonbrisk]

In other words, if the second incoming call (if call waiting is being triggered when Follow Me is enabled) is a fax spammer, it stands to reason that second incoming call is coming from an FPL or Fongo Home Phone number. If that's the case, I would be opening a ticket to report abuse.

that's what I was speculating from the start. This spammer is using the same network, thus getting through the back door somehow.

There's still no way I know of to break into another FPL caller's phone conversation, in particular, because you're not registering with an ATA or softphone.

SIP URI calls between FPL, Fongo Mobile, and Fongo Home phone are by design; SIP URI saves money.

Regardless, hopefully this situation gets resolved for you.

[Savario]

I dropped bell land-line and switched to a voip provider.
so, we'll see if this problem continues...
right now the follow me stopped working. I don't know if this is just a temporary problem, or it just won't work now with the Voip provider i am using. Seems odd that it won't forward to my number any more and go directly to fpl's voice mail. I've posted a new thread about that problem.

[Liptonbrisk]

I dropped bell land-line and switched to a voip provider.
so, we'll see if this problem continues...
right now the follow me stopped working. I don't know if this is just a temporary problem, or it just won't work now with the Voip provider i am using. Seems odd that it won't forward to my number any more and go directly to fpl's voice mail. I've posted a new thread about that problem.

Appears to have been a temporary carrier or porting issue, since it's now resolved.