Can your phone companies tap into your phone conversations?

Question

A friend has been calling me on a cell phone making long distance calls. A week ago he told me my phone company had called and questioned who he was and why he was calling. Is it possible my phone service provider is tapping into my convos?

Answer 1

Um, I don't think they are actually listening, but they can keep track of who's calling who.

I had a similar experience a few years back.  I requested an additional jack/phone line in my place and used it to call my friend overseas (Indonesia).  A couple of weeks later, I got a call from a phone company investigator to ask me if I was really the person making/receiving all those calls and if I was aware there were two phone lines in my place.  I had to reassure the poor lad a few times that I wasn't some terrorist!

Answer 2

Unless you are talking about things pertaining to National Security or anything illegal, why are you worried? Nothing you say in a conversation could ever be used against you unless you are aware of the taping. The FBI could use it against you, but certainly your phone company could care less.