In recent months the University has seen an alarming increase in the amount of telephone fraud and abuse on Harvard administrative phone lines. This list will alert you to some types of fraud which can occur and outline both the steps we have taken to prevent problems and the steps you can take to protect your department.

Fradulent Collect Calls

The most common fraudulent collect call occurs when the callers identify themselves either as a telephone repair technician claiming to be testing the line or even as a Harvard employee. Once the call is accepted the caller will ask to be transferred to an outside line, stating that there will be no charge. Sometimes they will request to be transferred to '0' (Harvard Operator) or '90' (NYNEX Operator). Once forwarded, the caller can place a call anywhere and the charges will be billed to the Harvard line from which the call was transferred. Customers should only accept calls from people they know and should never accept a collect call from a telephone technician. Telephone service vendors will not issue credits for

collect calls accepted in error.

Non-Business-Related and/or Unauthorized Toll Calls

It is important to review department telephone bills for unauthorized call activity. It is possible to restrict telephone lines to a Class of Service (COS) that limits the calling privileges to Harvard, local, regional, or U.S. only. We can also provide 'Time of Day' restrictions that limit call activity from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and allow wider calling during the day. All Class of Service changes to restrict line use will be processed at no charge.

Third Party Billed Calls

This refers to calls made outside of the University, but billed to a Harvard line. This is a common practice for some departments and a convenience some customers want, so it is not blocked on a University-wide basis. It is possible to have third party calling blocked on a per line basis.

Calls 900 Numbers (or 976 and 550 exchanges)

Effective April 1, all Harvard administrative lines were blocked from direct dialing to 900 numbers and 976 and 550 exchanges.

Please note: Some 900 numbers provide legitimate services (i.e., some software support lines). If your department needs access to these lines, please have your department administrator contact us at 495-5457 to make arrangements for authorization codes or to remove the blocking. If access is provided, your department will be liable for all misuse of these lines.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please call the Billing Group at 495-5457 or contact them by e-mail at telecom_billing@harvard.edu.