Abstract: A method of discouraging the completion of certain classes of calls including wrong-number calls. Incoming calls from calling parties not included on a customer-specified screening list are first connected to an appropriate advisory announcement. Such calls are advantageously not extended to the customer station if the calling party disconnects within a specified time of receiving the announcement. To limit the delay of calling parties, the announcement is bypassed for callers included on the screening list and may be quickly interrupted by the transmission of a single, dual tone multifrequency digit from the calling station.

Abstract: A call forwarding method that allows the called party to selectively forward individual alerting calls based, for example, on the calling party identity or on how busy the called party is at any given time, but without requiring the called party to first answer the calls. The called party can effect the transfer even though engaged in conversation with someone else.