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The Telemarketing Blues
It happens just as sure as the sun rises in the East–just as you sit down to dinner, hop into the shower, or settle in to watch the latest episode of ER, the phone rings. You'd better pick it up–what if it's your mother, your spouse, or the local radio station calling to tell you you've won a million bucks?
So you run to answer it, suffering a nasty shin bruise as you run into the coffee table in your rush. Panting, you answer the phone: "Hello?" "Hello, this is I. Buggem with the Acme Wooden Leg company. I'd like to tell you how you can get one of our new, stylish cherry wood legs for only $99.95, this week only!"
Woooh, oooh, you've got them telemarketing blues.
Luckily, there is a cure. Well, really it's a law, but that's just as good. According to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), telemarketers must fully identify themselves, restrict calls to the hours between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., record and respect do-not-call requests, and refrain from calling with a prerecorded message. Once you ask a company not to call you, they are required by law to keep your number on their Do Not Call list for ten years. If telemarketers break this law, they are liable under the TCPA for $500 per offense or $1500 per "willful" offense (meaning they knew what they were doing).
Just check out the Slam Bad Ads sidebar– and the next time you get those telemarketing blues, you'll have the remedy right there!
TelemarketingLaws. Information on state and federal telemarketing laws.
Junkbusters. Probably the most complete information about how to stop telemarketers on the Internet.
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Slam Bad Ads! Got them telemarketing blues? We have the cure. 1. Ask to be put on the telemarketer's Do Not Call list. Use this log to keep track of telemarketing calls. 2. If the telemarketer calls again after you have asked to be put on the Do Not Call list, write down the information and call or send a copy of your log to: Office of the Director 3. Don't want to pay for an unlisted number? Well, here's a secret: You don't have to be listed under your real name in the phone book. Call your phone company and tell them that in the next issue of the phone book, you want to be listed under Hugh Jass or Amanda Hugnkiss (these names courtesy Bart Simpson). Most likely, telemarketers will know these are fake names and steer clear. And if a clueless telemarketer actually asks for Mr. Hugh Jass, at least you'll get a good laugh out of it. 4. Register with the Direct Marketing Association's do-not-call file by sending your name, home address, and home telephone number (including area code) and signature to: Telephone Preference Service 5. Let's face it–if you're getting telemarketing calls, your name is on lists that are being sold to marketers. Write to these companies and ask that they stop providing information about you to any entity and that they stop making telephone calls to you. Metromail Corp. Database America The Polk Company Donnelly Marketing, Inc. Acxiom Corporation Abacus Direct American Business
Information TRW Target Marketing
Services 6. The Easy Hang Up Device automatically delivers your Do Not Call message and then disconnects the telemarketer. It costs $17.50. 7. Write the callers a letter and tell them you'll never buy a product or service from a business that engages in such intrusive advertising. Find contact information for most businesses at Hoovers or Big Yellow. |
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