Ten minutes to write. Less time to read.

There was a report on the news this morning that hackers have figured out a way to bypass the Caller ID function, but not by punching in the familiar *67 and having the little screen in one’s telephone blink “Unavailable.” Instead, these hackers somehow obtain a phone number from your speed dial list and use it to call you. You’ll answer because you recognize the number when it flashes on the little screen as that of your best friend, Alice, or your new boyfriend, Jack.

The report said that these activities are, as of now, completely legal; and a company called — what else? — Star 67 is even marketing a program based on these abilities to such professionals as debt collectors and telemarketers. I use the term ‘professionals’ in the broadest sense.

I’m sure the telephone companies won’t take this lying down. Especially since the general public seems to love knowing who’s calling before picking up. However, until they get it worked out, I see a potential resurgence in answering machines and voicemail. When these devices kick in, any person who uses another’s phone number for camouflage will either need to hang up or leave a message. In either case, their objective is thwarted.

Although I pay for it in my monthly service package (because it’s cheaper to buy the Full Package than it is to purchase the Individual Features), I don’t use Caller ID. Never did. My telephone instrument doesn’t even have that little screen, and I’ve already got my voicemail system programmed. So I’m secretly feeling smug that I won’t have withdrawal symptoms when those little screens all over America become obsolete.