full-disclosure - Mystery phone lines, something is hiding and answering.

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From: EddieS at softhome.net (Eddie )
Subject: Mystery phone lines, something is hiding and answering.

Hello, 

I have been given the task of cleaning out all the old phone lines in 30+ restaurants. Some locations are 30 years old 
and in the past, extra lines where added as needed, then forgotten about. My task it to figure out what lines we are using 
so we can cancel the rest.  
I generally start at the equipment, (CC machine, FAX, Modem, etc) and get the numbers to the lines we are using, then 
test the main breakout box that feeds the building and figure out what lines are coming into the building. Quite a easy 
task as some of the buildings are over 50 years old and the breakout box is nothing but a chunk of wood with nuts and 
bolts. 

Anyway, on the 2 locations I have checked so far, I found 5 extra phone lines on one and 7 on the other. The strange 
thing is, something computer related answers. Some lines have no answer,  but most, some computer picks up. On one, 
I get some type of digital tone, but it does not sound like any modem I have ever heard. 

I tried calling the numbers with my laptop and cell phone (with Caller ID turned off). Most of the lines won't connect with 
No Carrier, but one, I get the string " ** 01 Communications TermServ **" and a login prompt. 

Now if I disconnect the phone line from the break out box,  it stops answering, suggesting that whatever is answering, is 
in the building.  Now in both locations, another store shares a wall. Napa on one and Boot Barn on the other. However, I 
don't think they are using our phone box for their lines. I have yet to find a voice line, least one that someone answers. 

Friday, I will be spending the day in a very hot place with a flashlight in one hand, and a toner in the other tracing wires, 
but I was hoping that someone could give me some suggestions. I have never seen anything like this before and I am 
stumped on what is going on. 

Thanks for any and all help
Eddie