EXPLODING THE PHONE

Abstract

AT&T forced Ramparts to withdraw the issue of its magazine which included 4 pages on phone phreak technology from the newsstands. Ramparts tells the story of how this happened, how AT&T circumvented due process by avoiding the courts and using pressure tactics, and how the law which was passed on AT&T's behalf which makes it illegal to publish plans of such devices is dangerous to freedom of speech. It also mentions that Pacific Telephone is ignoring a recent court order reversing a rate increase.

Keywords

Golden Gate Magazine Company; San Francisco, CA; Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Co. (PTT); Ramparts magazine; phone phreaks; American Telephone and Telegraph Co. (AT&T); CIA; Pentagon; FBI; Pilsbury, Madison and Sutro (AT&T's lawyers); W.A. Krueger & Co. (printing company); Business Week; black box

Notes / See Also

Was published some time after June, 1972.

Abstract

Ramparts Magazine forced by telephone company to recall issue with article by phone phreak telling how to build a black box.

Keywords

Ramparts Magazine; Robert Kaldenbach (president, Noah's Ark); Noah's Ark (publisher, Ramparts Magazine); Regulating the Phone Company in Your Own Home (article, Ramparts Magazine); black box

Source

ProQuest

Abstract

Overview of British Post Office and phone phreaking. Discusses revenues, equipment upgrades and the arrest of the "telephone enthusiasts" in 1972. Describes "People's Power Pamphlet 1" which is a modified version of the Ramparts black box article. Includes reprint of the Ramparts supression article from July, 1972 Ramparts.

Keywords

black box; British phreaking; British Post Office (BPO); Ramparts magazine

Source

Alan Rubinstein

Abstract

Original of Ramparts magazine August, 1970, Volume 9, No. 2, containing article "The San Francisco Mime Troupe: Ripping Off Ma Bell" by David Kolodney on page 26 (db430).

Keywords

credit card fraud; credit card frog; Ramparts

Source

Anonymous

Abstract

Original of Ramparts magazine June, 1972, Volume 10, Number 12, containing "Regulating the Phone Company in Your Home" (db431) on page 55.

Keywords

black box; Ramparts

Source

Anonymous

Abstract

Ramparts magazine reportedly up for sale; reports that magazine now has circulation of 100K and "is breaking even."

Keywords

Ramparts

Abstract

A one page memo with two pages of questions and answers attached. It was prompted by the recent publication of an article about construction of a mute box in Ramparts magazine, and distributed to all News Contact People in the Kansas City area.

Keywords

Dave Carlson; F. Max Cox (area information supervisor, KC area); Ramparts magazine; mute box; blue box

Abstract

Thorough overview of phone phreaking circa 1972/1973 including how blue boxes and black boxes work and a detailed description of Ramparts magazine's run in with AT&T.

Keywords

University of South Florida; blue box; 2600; AT&T; Bell Telephone Laboratories (BTL); Bell System Technical Journal (BSTJ); phone phreaks; trunk; whistle; Joe Engressia; John Draper; Captain Crunch; Ramparts magazine; CIA; FBI; black box; Youth International Party Line (YIPL); Phone Phreak Convention; Al Bell (phone phreak); Basic Telephone Switching Systems book by David Talley; Yippies; Abbie Hoffman; red box; Telephony magazine; Ramparts magazine

Notes / See Also

Photos by Peter Paige; exact date unknown.

Source

An anonymous phone phreak

Abstract

Review of the Ramparts case

Keywords

Ramparts

Source

ProQuest

Abstract

A memo from Davis (General Adv. Manager, PTT) to E.F. Kain, Adv. Director/Print & Broadcast at AT&T in NY, about the publication "Up Agaisnt the Bulkhead". Includes a page with brief, typed description of what "Up Against the Bulkhead" is. The memo says that the copy attached had a Bell System ad about the use of a credit card, with a phone number to which no credit card had been issued. The memo also says that it may be the same number that was in a Ramparts article. The memo was forwarded to several people within AT&T.

Keywords

credit card fraud; Up Against the Bulkhead (UAB); Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company (PTT); Ramparts Magazine; William P. Mullane, Jr.; L.J. Coffin

Notes / See Also

The memo says that the first and last page of the paper are attached, but our copy has only the first page.

Abstract

June issue of Ramparts has been withdrawn from newsstands in the East and has not been delivered to Western dealers after PT&T threatened prosecution.

Keywords

Abstract

Overview of phone phreaking. Discusses Captain Crunch and his arrest. Interviews Bill Moorefield, Joe Engressia, and Bill Acker. Discusses Ray Oklahoma and the Ramparts article, blue boxes, loop arounds, red boxes, and credit card fraud. Mentions Al Bell and YIPL.

Keywords

Captain Crunch; Bill Moorefield; Joe Engressia; Bill Acker; Ray Oklahoma; Ramparts; blue box; red box; credit card fraud; Al Bell (phone phreak); YIPL

Source

Alan Rubinstein

Abstract

Construction article describing how to build a "mute box" (black box) for free calls. Noteworthy for the clarity of its diagrams and easy to follow instructions. Also noteworthy because Bell suppressed distribution of this issue of the magazine.

Keywords

Ramparts; black box; mute box; Ray Oklahoma

Notes / See Also

See also: db429

Source

Anonymous

Abstract

Report on, and script of, comedy skit performed by the San Francisco Mime Troupe that gives instructions on how to commit credit card fraud.

Keywords

credit card fraud; San Francisco Mime Troop; SF Mime Troop; Ramparts

Source

Anonymous

Abstract

Overview of credit card fraud. Mentions Paul Newman, Ramparts Magazine, and gives some statistics.

Keywords

Credit card fraud; Paul Newman; Ramparts Magazine

Abstract

Article describes how to mess with Ma Bell, including ways to pay your bill to create problems and how to build a black box. Includes reprint of the Ramparts article.

Keywords

Fifth Estate; Michigan Bell Telephone Co. (MB); mute box; black box; credit card codes; credit card fraud; Ramparts

Notes / See Also

Actual publication date is 8/22-28/1974; 2 oversized pages - our photocopy is on 4 pages

Abstract

The question is about the taxes included on telephone bills; the answer is a rant about taxes, war and the phone company. It then digresses into a description of a visit from an unnamed person who gave "The first official Ramparts mute box plan progress report," and talked about his exploits defrauding the phone company.

Keywords

taxes; Ramparts Magazine

Notes / See Also

This is a telex copy of the letter, put on one page in this format. The Telex header says "The following letter to the editor..." but this actually looks like it was written to an advice columnist called The Troubleshooter.

Abstract

Article details story of two alleged phreaks arrested in Pennsylvania whose charges were subsequently dropped. Also describes how the technology works, and the phone company's methods for catching phreaks.

Keywords

phone phreak; black box; blue box; red box; Captain Crunch; pen register; AT&T; Ramparts magazine; KDKB (radio station, Phoenix); wiretapping; Nick Clainos (attorney); Gene Mitchell (accused as phreak); Nellie Spacil (mother of phreak); Kenny Spacil (accused)

Notes / See Also

Extra copy of this article in ATT01-002.

Source

An anonymous phone phreak

Abstract

Charges filed against Fifth Estate by Michigan Bell for publication of article detailing construction of mute box and listing credit card codes. Overview of charges and defense.

Keywords

Fifth Estate; Michigan Bell Telephone Co. (MB); mute box; black box; credit card fraud; credit card codes; Ramparts; Liberation News Service; Dennis Mollura

Abstract

The First International Phone Phreak Convention is held in New York. Article describes the proceedings and attendees. The book "Basic Telephone Switching Systems" by David Talley was recommended at the convention. The Phreak Philm, showing three ways to make free phone calls, was shown.

Keywords

phone phreaks; New York; Diplomat Hotel (New York, NY); blue box; black box; toll free loops; Agnew; red box (the Milhous); Answeroo; First International Phone Phreak Convention (FIPPC); Youth International Party Line (YIPL); Yippies; Al Bell (phone phreak); Basic Telephone Switching Systems (book by David Talley); David Talley (author); Signetics (company with info on tone oscillators); Abbie Hoffman; John Draper; Captain Crunch; Phreak Philm

Source

An anonymous phone phreak

Abstract

Memo for the file recording a conversation that Rezak had with reporter Gary Blonston from the Detroit Free Press, who was working on a story about credit card fraud. They discussed fraud in CA, in relation to large companies, general statistics and the recent cases with celebrities.

Keywords

R.R. Rezak; Gary Blonston (reporter, DFP); Detroit Free Press (DFP); credit card fraud; Dow Chemical; Ramparts Magazine; Paul Newman; Wall Street Journal (WSJ)

Abstract

Overview of phone phreaking in Australia circa 1972, with descriptions of the three prevalent methods. Also discusses the way that the Australian phone system differs from the US system.

Keywords

phone phreaks; Australia; step-by-step exchange; crossbar exchange; Ramparts; AT&T; mute box (black box); blue box; Australian phreaking

Source

An anonymous phone phreak

Abstract

The article's premise is that the phone company is under attack from three sources - phreaks, competitors and the general public.

Keywords

AT&T; phone phreaks; black box; blue box; red box; Esquire article; Youth International Party Line (YIPL); Ramparts magazine; Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company (PTT); Robert Kitzinger (security director, Illinois Bell); New England Telephone Company.

Notes / See Also

Date unknown, probably 1973/74; article is 7 pages, only first three (having to do with phreaks) are indexed.

Source

An anonymous phone phreak

Abstract

Interview discussing the rumor of the Paul Newman credit card fraud and credit card fraud in general.

Keywords

Arthur Dunn; Treesa Drury; Ramparts Magazine; Paul Newman; Credit Card Fraud