| Ask for What You (really) Want . . . By George Molczan |
The telephone industry has many names for call record information. Some companies
refer to call data as “call records”, while others call them “AMA Records” (Automatic
Message Accounting), “Call Detail Records” (CDRs), and for others it’s simply “Billing
Records”. Requesting the right information the first time will save time, frustration and
expense as shown in the following case example.
Case Example: Getting what you ask for.
An investigator requested, “Call records” for a telephone number associated with a
missing person investigation. What they received were copies of the subscriber
invoices showing the originating long-distance calls. When they inquired as to why they
didn’t get all incoming and outgoing call information they were told, “you got what you
ask for, if you wanted the other information you should have requested AMA records”.
A sample of what to ask for:
While working with Local, State and Federal agencies the following subpoena / court
order wording has been developed and has resulted in their receiving the desired
information, the first time.
Pursuant to an official (type of investigation) investigation being conducted by,
(agency name), it is requested that (service provider name) furnish the following
information: Current or last known subscriber, Social Security number, credit
information, associated telephone numbers, contact numbers, line features, long-
distance provider(s) and billing information (including billing address) associated
with the following telephone number(s). If the number(s) have been resold or ported
please identify the new service provider. Provide call records for all incoming and
outgoing calls for the period of (start date / end date). Call record information should
be in electronic non-PDF format i.e. in spreadsheet format on CD or 3-½ inch
diskette. (Provide list of telephone numbers with area codes)
Having an understanding of where and why telephone companies generate call records
equips the investigator with a starting point in the search for evidence. Knowing call
records generally have more useful information (as compared to the information
provided on a invoice), requesting call records in electronic format is recommended.
Just know what it is you are asking for.
refer to call data as “call records”, while others call them “AMA Records” (Automatic
Message Accounting), “Call Detail Records” (CDRs), and for others it’s simply “Billing
Records”. Requesting the right information the first time will save time, frustration and
expense as shown in the following case example.
Case Example: Getting what you ask for.
An investigator requested, “Call records” for a telephone number associated with a
missing person investigation. What they received were copies of the subscriber
invoices showing the originating long-distance calls. When they inquired as to why they
didn’t get all incoming and outgoing call information they were told, “you got what you
ask for, if you wanted the other information you should have requested AMA records”.
A sample of what to ask for:
While working with Local, State and Federal agencies the following subpoena / court
order wording has been developed and has resulted in their receiving the desired
information, the first time.
Pursuant to an official (type of investigation) investigation being conducted by,
(agency name), it is requested that (service provider name) furnish the following
information: Current or last known subscriber, Social Security number, credit
information, associated telephone numbers, contact numbers, line features, long-
distance provider(s) and billing information (including billing address) associated
with the following telephone number(s). If the number(s) have been resold or ported
please identify the new service provider. Provide call records for all incoming and
outgoing calls for the period of (start date / end date). Call record information should
be in electronic non-PDF format i.e. in spreadsheet format on CD or 3-½ inch
diskette. (Provide list of telephone numbers with area codes)
Having an understanding of where and why telephone companies generate call records
equips the investigator with a starting point in the search for evidence. Knowing call
records generally have more useful information (as compared to the information
provided on a invoice), requesting call records in electronic format is recommended.
Just know what it is you are asking for.
______________________
Copyright © 2005, 2006, 2007 George Molczan, all right reserved.
The information provided herein should not be considered as legal advice. The reader is advised
to seek legal counsel regarding use and/or application of call records or any other information
provided herein.
The information provided herein should not be considered as legal advice. The reader is advised
to seek legal counsel regarding use and/or application of call records or any other information
provided herein.
Last updated 7-21-09