Posted on 08/03/2012 9:23:34 PM PDT by grundle
PITTSBURGH -- The national Do Not Call registry was supposed to stop calls from telemarketers, but it hasn’t worked as well it should. The Federal Trade Commission says complaints are up. Target 11 Consumer Investigator Robin Taylor takes a look at why the calls haven't stopped.
When you used to answer a phone call from a telemarketer there would be a pause after you said hello and then a real person would come on the line.
These days, telemarketers are using prerecorded messages known as robocalls, which are even more frustrating because you can't say, “Don't call me.”
Robocall: "This is a very important message about your current credit card accounts."
Breana Gardner, who lives in Plum Borough, contacted Target 11 because she gets robocalls like this from telemarketers that want to lower her interest rate all the time.
"I can honestly say I don't have any credit cards right now, so I don't know what kind of interest rates they want to lower," said Gardner.
Her number is on the Do Not Call list, but that hasn't stopped the telemarketers. She recently got five calls from the same company in one day.
"It's very annoying, but what are you going to do?" said Gardner.
The Federal Trade Commission says the number of complaints about telemarketers violating the Do Not Call registry has more than doubled in the past year.
"There have been a number of technological developments that have made it very cheap and very easy for people to send out millions of these robocalls with just the click of a mouse," said Kati Daffen, an attorney with the FTC.
The new technology allows telemarketers to spoof caller ID, and that makes it harder for the FTC to trace the call.
Robocalls are against the law unless you've stated in writing you want to receive them. The exceptions are political calls, surveys and charitable solicitations.
Robocall: "Hello. The FBI reports there is a home break-in every 15 seconds."
Diana Mey is a consumer advocate from Wheeling, W. Va., who was so annoyed by these disruptions that she sued and was part of a class action lawsuit that won $6 million.
"If I'm getting them, I can only imagine what other consumers are getting," said Mey.
Robocall: “Our records indicate that you have a vehicle that's under 100,00 miles."
Mey now records telemarketing calls. She questions why they are violating the law.
"I'm just curious as to why you called my number since it's on the national Do Not Call registry. Do you have any explanation for that?" asked Mey.
"You would think my name would be in neon lights flashing in every boiler room across the country, and yet I still get the calls," said Mey.
The FTC says that if you get an illegal robocall that asks you press a number to be put on their Do Not Call list, don’t press it. Just hang up, because pressing any button will only verify your phone number is valid and lead to more robocalls.
The federal government is stepping up its efforts to fine violators. It's sued 85 companies and collected $68 million in penalties.
"These cases have shut down companies that were responsible for billions of robocalls," said Daffan.
You can report illegal robocalls to the FTC. To file a complaint, click here.
You should also make sure your number is on the national Do Not Call list. It only takes a few minutes to register. National “Do Not Call” Registry
Pennsylvania also has a Do Not Call list, and the attorney general will go after violators. “Do Not Call” Law in Pennsylvania
Spam callers can FOAD. I hate them with a passion. I will NEVER purchase ANYTHING that has been offered to me by spam calls. NEVER.
The do not call list is a farce. A joke. I signed up and my sales calls increased. Almost like someone was selling my phone number from the “do not call” list.
Nothing government does works right. Nothing new here.
Look at the Do Not Call List and see an example of the corruption of our political system.
First: why Do Not Call instead of Do Call? The default should be no calls! Next: Exceptions allowed to satisfy campaign donors. Enforcement: are you kidding?
I’m now getting lots of spam calls on my mobile phone too. Some of them are really annoying and deceptive. I live in an area where there are many Spanish speakers and some of the calls are aimed at taking advantage of naivete in financial matters. Disgusting.
Some have even come up with what appears to be a local call.
I had one that showed up as a local bank. I called the bank and reported it and they never called back again.
They need to ban robocalls, period!
They typically hang up after the 3rd ring and it usually takes you that long to get to the phone and look at the caller ID, so even if you actually wanted to take the call you’d probably miss it.
I’m getting robocalls in Spanish.
it happened to me..on my cell phone...
If you work at it a little bit you can get the telephone number where you can call them back. And then you can get even.
One guy said he was going to report me. For what, making a telemarketing call!
Thanks for that one. I had seen it on Youtube before but it has been a while. Had me laughing.
I recall in the late when I would get phone call on a standard , a recorded message, I would hang up the phone. If I then picked up the handset to dial, the call had not disconnected. Any explanation? This a situation I could not find on a yahoo or google search .
I no longer have a land line and I block mumbers in the software administration of my Verizon account. It only allows you to block a hand full of numbers on all your account phones at a time but this seems to work very well.
Boy, I could rant and rave about this subject for hours.
Re-signed my phones to the do not call list. Calls actually increased, dramatically.
If you’ve ever done business w/ a Co. they can legally call, political, charities exempt too.
Had one creative call.
Don’t remember the product but the conversation went something like this.
“Mister ...?” (They always mispronounce my name, the first red flag)
“Yes”
“This is a survey, which candidate will you be voting for in the Presidential election?”
“Undecided”
“Well, we can clean the carpets in 3 rooms for only $99”
The robocalls are the worst. You get up, go to the phone, pick it up, dead air, then click.
I complained to the Attorney Generals office.
Told him if I called someone constantly, then hung up on them that person could have me arrested for harassment.
Why are Co.s allowed to do the same w/ robocalls?
No satisfactory answer.
Had one hang up on me yesterday. The number was a good number.
Called back, left a message to never call me again and I really resented being hung up on.
Thanks for that link. Lots of YouTube videos claim to be the “best” prank on telemarketers, but this one really is the best.
Yep... it’s epic. I laugh out loud every time I hear that. And when he says to get the Littleton Police department on the phone.... oh man... that’s great.
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