Community Chat

[Moonlady]

On 5/14/2014 Sharke said:

On 5/14/2014 Moonlady said:

Consider yourself lucky if you have a reasonable number of contacts to block. At one point, we had <em>35-40</em> calls daily from "charitable" organizations (clearly, we were on the sucker list). They share the lists and often the same organization has multiple numbers.

Non-profits should be included in that law.

sign up for the national do not call list, as well, as your state's. Sign up your landline's and cell phones.

We are signed up, but calls by non-profits are not included (note last sentence).

[ROMARY]

'Trouble is' when telemarketers do call, some of them are so rude after I kindly asked them to take us off of their calling list. They usually hang up as I'm asking. If they were better trained and politely tell us they're sorry, that they'll take us off of their list, maybe a 'Have a nice day', we wouldn't be as annoyed with them. ...........I'm only thinking...........

[gloriajean]

Just got another call - this one local - says that this is NOT a telemarketer, do NOT hang up,and guess what - I hung up! I only answered because with my cell phone it doesn't have caller ID for people not on my contacts and it was local so thought it could be someone I know. Wrong! Remember I am registered - since Monday, and so far it's not working.

[ROMARY]

Anyone previously get telemarketers who want to send you a 'package' of envelopes to collect money? As I recall, last year or so, one of those groups was a telemarketing rented office, even though she said that she isn't a telemarketer. I'm thinking it's better to go/donate in person to our local charities/non-profits/etc. that have been in our area(s) for many years. Legitimate, long-time workers, volunteers, etc.

[dooBdoo]

The fact is, we provide our phone numbers to some of these callers.

As I said before, you can almost be guaranteed that any time you've done business with a company or you've signed up for something (enter a contest, register on a website, add your phone number to social media sites or online games that access your phone number), in the fine print you've given them approval to call you and also for their associates to call you.

I get only a couple of unwanted calls every few months now, and those are the ones that we can't avoid -- the ones using a computer to scroll through random phone numbers 'til someone answers.

And I simply don't answer if I don't know the caller. On a cell phone, since there isn't a caller ID name I let those go to voice mail -- there's no rule that says we have to answer every phone call immediately, right? Then, even if they leave a message I do an Internet search to see if others have reported the number (or use Whitepages.com).

But I had to work very hard to stop the calls. I realized we had given our number to companies over time, so we spoke with the provider and got a new number (at no charge). Then, I made sure I don't provide that number to any business unless it's essential they have it -- absolutely essential.

Believe me, it was much easier to give our new number to friends and family than to continue putting up with the nuisance (and possibly dangerous) unwanted calls.

It's a terrible shame we have to tolerate this problem, but as long as many of the scammers operate outside the USA it's going to be up to us as individuals to try and control it.

Phone and Internet scams are like the wild, wild west now, so we have to try and protect ourselves.

[stilltamn8r]

On 5/15/2014 ROMARY said:

Our houses aren't facing in the right direction for solar. At least our roofs (where solar could be installed) aren't facing in the right direction. They're facing North, I believe. A couple of neighbors were told.

Maybe if I tell them that they won't call back, LOL!!!! In California it probably doesn't matter...it's sunny all the time.....

[straykatz]

I love it when they call and ask ""Is this Mrs So and So""....I always reply who wants to know?.....hahaha

IMO the Do Not Call Registry list does NOT work.

[dooBdoo]

As many of us have said, the DNCR only works for ethical businesses and for those who aren't exempt. It's worth registering just to stop a few calls but it's very limited, and doesn't cover everything.

To get a better understanding, I'd suggest this link:

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0108-national-do-not-call-registry

Here's only a part of the info (I apologize for the length, but I know some people don't like to use links):

"...Will All Telemarketing Calls Stop If I Register?

If I register my number on the National Do Not Call Registry, will it stop all telemarketing calls?

No. Placing your number on the National Do Not Call Registry will stop most telemarketing calls, but not all. Because of limitations in the jurisdiction of the FTC and FCC, calls from or on behalf of political organizations, charities, and telephone surveyors would still be permitted, as would calls from companies with which you have an existing business relationship, or those to whom you’ve provided express agreement in writing to receive their calls. However, if you ask a company with which you have an existing business relationship to place your number on its own do-not-call list, it must honor your request. You should keep a record of the date you make the request.

Are calls from political organizations or calls soliciting for charities covered?

Political solicitations are not covered by the TSR at all, since they are not included in its definition of “telemarketing.” Charities are not covered by the requirements of the national registry. However, if a third-party telemarketer is calling on behalf of a charity, a consumer may ask not to receive any more calls from, or on behalf of, that specific charity. If a third-party telemarketer calls again on behalf of that charity, the telemarketer may be subject to a fine of up to $16,000 .

What about telephone surveys?

If the call is really for the sole purpose of conducting a survey, it is not covered. Only telemarketing calls are covered — that is, calls that solicit sales of goods or services. Callers purporting to take a survey, but also offering to sell goods or services, must comply with the National Do Not Call Registry.

My number is on the National Do Not Call Registry. After I bought something from a company, a telemarketer representing that organization called me. Is this a violation?

No. By purchasing something from the company, you established a business relationship with the company. As a result, even if you put your number on the National Do Not Call Registry, that company may call you for up to 18 months after your last purchase or delivery from it, or your last payment to it, unless you ask the company not to call again. In that case, the company must honor your request not to call. If they subsequently call you again, they may be subject to a fine of up to $16,000 .

An established business relationship with a company also will be created if you make an inquiry to the company, or submit an application to it. This kind of established business relationship exists for three months after the inquiry or application. During this time, the company can call you.

If you make a specific request to that company not to call you, however, then the company may not call you, even if you have an established business relationship with that company. You should keep a record of the date you make the request..."

[tansy]

Hah, dooB. When we moved here and had to get a new number, it turned out that it had belonged to a guy who owed money to Ford and many other creditors. The phone would ring morning and night. It was extremely difficult to get the calls to stop.

[dooBdoo]

On 5/15/2014 tansy said: Hah, dooB. When we moved here and had to get a new number, it turned out that it had belonged to a guy who owed money to Ford and many other creditors. The phone would ring morning and night. It was extremely difficult to get the calls to stop.

Hi, tansy! I don't know whether to laugh or cry about that!