Government Cracking Down on Robocalls
the FTC is cracking down on robocalls looking to sell you vacations and whatnot.
You know who they are: prerecorded telemarketing solicitors that ring during dinner, while you're in the bath, and seem to care less if you're uninterested in whatever they're trying to sell. Although annoyed consumers must sign a "Do Not Call" list in order to be rid of the annoyance, sometimes that doesn't always work, or the immunity expires and more calls begin to flood once again.
To tackle the growing problem, the Federal Trade Commission is now stepping in and are forcing telemarketers to acquire written permission from the consumer first before making the "robocall." Effective September 1, violators will face penalties of up to $16,000 per call.
"American consumers have made it crystal clear that few things annoy them more than the billions of commercial telemarketing robocalls they receive every year," said Jon Leibowitz, chairman of the FTC.
The rule doesn't apply to creditors, however, and politicians, charities, banks, phone companies and many other organizations don't fall under the FTC's jurisdiction either. To find out who can and cannot call, read the full Associated Press article here.
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It's about damn time. I run a small business and about half the calls coming in are as follows "Blow Horn" "This is your captain speaking, wanting to get you on a free cruise" or the infamous "The manufacturer warranty on your vehicle is about to expire" Blah Blah. FML
I was told by a co-worker about *9 (Star 9)
During a Pre-Recorded message, typing *9 while it is playing the message is 'Supposed' to add your Phone # to the do no call list that company has, IF it is set up to do so. It has worked on about 80% of the calls in the past month alone.
The office phones and home phones are much more quiet. Try it
OMG, Sorry about the Grammer. One person talking to me while I'm typing my thoughts sure screws with it!
Now they need to find a way to help me convince creditors that I am not the deadbeat who's phone number I acquired (likely after he stopped paying his bill).
Threading to contact your lawyers if they call back seems to work well for most surveys, sales calls etc...
Is it legal to use air horn on calls like this?
Btw, I also hate a call which then tells me to hold. What the hell?
lol nice Pic,
Here's Johny!
I'm already on the do not call list but this is great for people like seniors who may not know how to register for it. Plus now when you get an extra line or new number you don't have to be bothered with registering it. These guys were so unbelievably obnoxious in the 90's it was like harassment, this is long overdue.
Is it legal to use air horn on calls like this?Btw, I also hate a call which then tells me to hold. What the hell?
Definitly, but it will not be effective. Just tell them "Do not call back and if you call back I will contact my lawyers".
One of the robocallers even said to me "I'll be back".
All I have is one cell phone. The cell phone number is on the national do not call list. I still get robocalls. SIGH!
Definitly, but it will not be effective. Just tell them "Do not call back and if you call back I will contact my lawyers".
They can call you 3 times after then you can sue sue sue sue sue
CANSPAM act, anyone?
That is a good start. Next step is to stop email spamming.
These people selling us are so damn annoying, I can't take them anymore. Wasting my time also.
Could NOT care less. If they COULD care less that is implying that they have some level of caring.
One of my pet peeves, terrible grammar in a 'news' article.
uninterested?
I used constantly get "Are your carpets dirty?" or "Are your paying to much for car insurance?" blah, blah, blah. That was at least twice a week for months and I was on the Do Not Call. Anyway I got fed up with it and set up my old 56k modem, I knew there was good reason to keep it around, and had it dial the number they gave in their recording non-stop for about three or four days. Never heard from them again.
I used constantly get "Are your carpets dirty?" or "Are your paying to much for car insurance?" blah, blah, blah. That was at least twice a week for months and I was on the Do Not Call. Anyway I got fed up with it and set up my old 56k modem, I knew there was good reason to keep it around, and had it dial the number they gave in their recording non-stop for about three or four days. Never heard from them again.
That is a great friggin idea dude.....seriously.....shame I don't run a landline anymore.
Nice idea - but it won't stop them. This type of 'robocalling' is illegal in the UK, irritatingly the companies involved just makes the calls from abroad by buying international phone call minutes at discounted bulk rates. Most are actually US companies (link). I wonder if this law will apply to these, regardless look forward to a lot of these robocalls coming in from far-off Panama or Mexico.
I will only believe what they clams once i STOP receiving those calls and faxes, im pretty sure government like their work cause those companies pay taxes
+1 Parrdacc :
i wish all would foold their line like that
i use to send faxes to some of them repeatedly
It wa so funny when they answered and herd the bip of the fax:
Hello.... hello... ah damn.. then they hang up
2 sec after Hello... (with a pissed off tone) fak...