Telephone recording

[Rinklysurfer]

Hi there, I'd like to be able to record phone calls I make and receive onto my computer. I.E when I phone my bank, insurance co, etc. and want to have evidence of what I am told.

[andy hughes]

You can only use recorded conversations as evidence in any oegal dispute, if the person you are talking to is aware they are being recorded - hence the announcement you often get when phoning any large company. A cheap option is to buy a small mono cassette recorder, and a 'sucker' microphone to attatch to your received - should cost about �30.00 tops.

[Hippy]

Tape recording phone conversations where you want a record of what was said is not illegal, but as Andy says, would be open to challenge by the other side in a court case unless the other person were aware of the recording.

 

However, if this is your intention then the following might be of help. Do as suggested and set up the recorder and record the conversation, but allow someone else to monitor the conversation through headphones from the tape machine. They are then a witness to the conversation. Afterwards you can prepare a transcript of EXACTLY and everything that was said (the other side might be doing the same thing, remember) and if needed in court you can enter extracts of this transcript that was prepared shortly after the time of the conversation as evidence and have your witness to attest to what was said.

 

The important thing here is that you are not using the recording as evidence, but as an aid to your and your witness's short term memory. It is not the recording that forms the evidence but the conversation and your recollection of it supported by your witness, just like any other conversation.

 

[stevie21]

Are you involved in some kind of dispute or do you want this evidence of *every* conversation you have on the phone? Sounds a little disturbing to me, I have to say.

I had assumed that making a recording of a phone call was illegal unless you had the permission of the other party but that's contradicted by Hippy. On the web I've found that, "under RIPA (Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000) it is a tort to record or monitor communication unlawfully which could give rise to damages claims"

[stevie21]

This looks helpful:

http://www.ccma.org.uk/Articles/recording_calls.htm