In a legal battle, it can sometimes be useful to have the opportunity to prove something that was or was not said over the phone. Recording your phone conversations is a reliable way to get evidence in case you need it. Read on to learn more.
Steps
Method 1 of 6: Avoid legal problems
Step 1. Make sure you are operating legally
The US federal government places no restrictions on recording telephone conversations between citizens, but many states require the consent of both parties. Without such consent, your records will be of no use in the legal battle, and may even get you into trouble.
- The states that require the consent of both parties are 11 and are: California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Washington. In addition, the state of Hawaii requires full consent whenever registration is made within a private residence.
- If you intend to keep an eye on a telephone line, there are laws to respect. Putting a telephone line under control is the act of recording a conversation or multiple conversations without the consent of both parties. This operation is generally illegal, except in special situations.
Step 2. Know the legal consequences
Recording your phone calls can indeed be useful, but it can also lead to unwanted consequences. Study the laws and make yourself safe.
- In fact, you could get yourself into trouble by recording a phone call from a state where consent is required from both parties, while receiving the call in a state where it is not. Even if in the latter case you are not violating the law, your telephone records may not constitute valid evidence.
- Your friends and family may not feel comfortable if you log all their calls. Before you begin, it's best to talk to your loved ones about it, and respect any limits that are imposed on you.
- Depending on the degree of confidentiality of your calls, you may find yourself in trouble should your recordings fall into the wrong hands. Before recording your calls, make sure you have nothing to fear from a legal, sentimental, and financial point of view.
Method 2 of 6: Record calls from a desk phone using an induction microphone
Step 1. Record with an induction microphone
These microphones are available at electronics and phone stores, and are often equipped with suction cups to attach to the telephone handset.
Step 2. Connect a recorder
Connect the audio output of the microphone to a computer, cassette recorder or other such devices. A cassette recorder or portable digital recorder has the advantage of being relatively small and portable, but a computer offers undoubted advantages from the point of view of storing and managing recordings.
A good audio manipulation program is Audacity. This program is free, easy to use and useful for operations such as making cuts between one conversation and another. Conversations can also be exported to a variety of formats for easy storage. Audacity can be downloaded here
Step 3. Place the microphone
Secure the microphone to the handset near the receiver (the end where you speak). Test the microphone by speaking into the receiver and listening to the recording on your recorder.
If you feel that the suction cup won't hold up, tape the microphone to make sure the recording isn't interrupted
Step 4. Record the conversation
Pick up the handset and turn on the microphone. When you're done, turn off the microphone.
Method 3 of 6: Record landline phone calls using a live recorder
Step 1. Record using a live recorder
This type of recorder is attached to the telephone cable and can record your calls without having to place anything on the handset.
Step 2. Connect the device
Connect the telephone line to the telephone input of the recorder, and connect the telephone output of the recorder to the wall socket, as if it were a normal telephone.
Find the recorder's audio output cable, and connect it to an audio recorder. Some phone recorders have a built-in audio recorder. If you prefer to save time, buy one of these models. Models without a built-in recorder allow you to use your favorite recorder, which is why they are preferred by many people
Step 3. Turn on the device
Activate it as soon as the conversation begins, and don't forget to start recording on the external recorder, if in use.
Some devices have a “remote input”. These devices start recording every call automatically, saving you time
Method 4 of 6: Record a call from the headset microphone
Step 1. Use a headset microphone
These microphones can be found in electronics and phone stores. The big advantage of these phones over similar methods is their small size.
Step 2. Put on the microphone
Insert the microphone into the ear with which you use the receiver, so that it can record the audio coming out of the receiver and your mouth.
Step 3. Plug in the microphone
Connect the microphone jack to a portable recording device.
In electronics stores and online stores you can find portable recorders that fit in the palm of your hand
Step 4. Record the call
Turn on your portable device and start recording as soon as you receive the call. The microphone will always remain on and will send the signal to the recorder.
Method 5 of 6: Record cell phone calls using software
Step 1. Use software to record your telephone conversations
If you are using a microphone, there are programs that allow you to record any telephone conversation. Although not everyone uses a smartphone, this is undoubtedly the easiest option for those who can afford it.
- Search for the suitable software in the app store of your smartphone. Look for any call recorder. Most are free or very cheap.
- Check what you buy. Read the developer's description to make sure the app is the one you are looking for. Most call recorders only work on certain devices or brands of devices; some work only with speakerphone. Find the right application for you.
Step 2. Tap the "Install" or "Buy" button to download and install the app
Make sure that the app works correctly before using it, by recording a test call made to a friend (consenting).
Step 3. Follow the app instructions to record calls
If the app works, but the recording quality is not good, do a search on the Internet and look for solutions. Often these problems are easy to resolve.
Method 6 of 6: Record without using additional hardware or software
Step 1. Use cloud-based web applications
There are several cloud based portals that facilitate the recording of telephone conversations without the need to install software or buy hardware.
Step 2. Most of these services use “cloud” technology
The service calls the sender and recipient numbers, puts them in contact, and records the call. The service is integrated into a telephone infrastructure that resides in the cloud. This way, providers can keep recordings in the cloud and make them available to their customers.
Step 3. There are several such services
Some of these services are www.recordator.com, www.saveyourcall.com, etc. A list of these services can be found on this Wikipedia article [1].
Step 4. These services can be used on any type of telephone (landline or mobile)
All recordings are made available on your profile by the provider, and can be downloaded.
Step 5. All of these services require registration
First of all, you will need to create your own account on the site and buy call minutes; each service offers different tariff plans. The average price per call + registration ranges from 10 to 25 cents per minute, depending on the tariff plan chosen.
Step 6. The recipient of the call will not be informed of the recording
Taking care of the legal aspect of the situation will be your responsibility. Therefore, if your state law requires both parties to agree, it is your responsibility to inform the recipient that the call is being recorded.
Warnings
- Obey the law in your state. If you live in a state that requires consent from both parties to record a conversation, get consent before you begin. To further protect you, once you have started the registration, ask the other party to repeat their consent to the recording of the phone call, so that your registration is indisputable.
- As already mentioned, it is generally illegal to get a phone line under control (listening to third party conversations without express consent). In some legal situations, wiretapping is allowed, but only after obtaining the necessary permissions from the authorities, having proved that wiretapping is necessary to protect compliance with the law. Record only your telephone conversations, or conversations for which you have had the express authorization to register.
- It is illegal to purchase radio scanners that can intercept telephone conversations. The FCC does not permit the manufacture, import, and sale of these devices in the United States. Rather, if you need to record a phone call, use the methods above.
