New York (April 19, 2002) - When it comes to phone calls homeowners are most likely to block or screen, the Internal Revenue Service is second only to fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter, a new poll has found.
The poll conducted on behalf of SBC Communications asked 800 people to list whose calls they would be most likely to block or screen from their homes.
Forty percent picked the cannibalistic killer made famous by Anthony Hopkins in the film "Silence of the Lambs," while 24 percent chose an IRS agent. Other undesired callers included the "Mimi" character from the Drew Carey show (16 percent), and Chandler’s ex-girlfriend "Janice" from the TV show "Friends (11 percent)." Nine percent said "their boss."
"In our demanding and fast-paced lives, consumers want to have as much control over their private time as possible, including the ability to manage unwanted, incoming phone calls during prized personal time," said Aimee Fite, consumer advocacy expert for SBC Communications. "Consumers are annoyed by the prospect of an unwanted phone call whether it's from a fictional killer, an IRS agent or simply an unknown caller."
SBC markets a product which blocks and/or screens unwanted phone calls.
--Electronic Accountant Newswire staff
