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Jun 6, 2007 7:58 pm US/Pacific
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Click to Call Services Keep Your Number Private
by Jeanette Pavini
(CBS 5)
When you're buying and selling your stuff, or meeting people online, security is a key issue.
Now, there are a range of "click to call" services that allow others to call you, without revealing your phone number.
"I was doing the whole MySpace thing and it got way out of control," Christine Jensen told CBS 5 ConsumerWatch.
So she turned to a new site called Ccube that lets you call people who match your interests.
"I'm trying to use it reconnect with old friends," Jensen said.
Members can listen to a voice greeting before they call.
"When you are looking for someone it is very nice, it is very helpful to hear their voice greeting, without fearing about losing your personal phone number," said Ccube CEO Mahesh Lalwani.
Your phone number stays private because Ccube members are connected anonymously through the site. They also provide a "call me now" button you can use on other sites, say if you're selling something online.
"I thought Ccube was a very bold social network, because people are able to connect with you instantly. There is no buffer there," said Gina Hughes of Yahoo Tech.
Hughes says there are a number of other "click to call" services already on the market, without the social networking element. Some are free, like Jangl and Numbr, which generates a temporary phone number for you.
"People call up that number and it's automatically forwarded to your real number so it still protects your privacy," Hughes said.
Hughes sees a drawback to membership services like Ccube.
"The other person has to sign up in order to receive free phone calls so if the other person, if they're only using it as a one time thing they're not going to be very enthusiastic about signing up for it," Hughes pointed out.
But she adds protecting your personal information is always a good idea.
"Posting any number or name online, I would definitely refrain from that," Hughes warned. "I would use click to call services, just hide your number as much as you can."
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)