The first phone call in history happened on March 10, 1876, when Alexander Graham Bell rang up his assistant. That monumental moment changed history as we know it and provided a gateway to the technology that has come to define our existence in the world of…the cell phone. As much as we now rely on the convenience telecommunications provides, it also delivered an avenue for the evolution of phone scams and the ever persistent telemarketer. As a result, in 2004 the National Do Not Call Registry was formed.
Now let’s be clear, not every telemarketer is a threat or engaging in a scam. Matter of fact, most telemarketing businesses are legitimate and are diligent to respect regulation regarding call solicitation, but there are also an ever–growing number which cannot be trusted. The National Do Not Call Registry is a database maintained by the United States federal government, listing the telephone numbers of individuals and families who have requested that telemarketers not contact them. The National Do Not Call Registry is managed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency. The registry, along with the following tips, is a tool to help manage the amount of unsolicited calls you may be receiving. Joining Do Not Call is actually very simple. Visit https://www.donotcall.gov and enter the land line or cell number you want on the list. It will produce a quick e-mail verification and you’re done. You can also call 1-888-382-1222 from any phone you want on the list. Your number stays on the list until you ask for it to be removed or you give up the number. It is important to know fax numbers have different regulations, so registering them will not be effective.
HINTS & TIPS
Scam Warning! You might receive a phone call from someone claiming to work at the Do Not Call Registry or Federal Trade Commission. They will claim your number isn’t listed on Do Not Call and offer to sign you up — you just have to provide some personal information. This is always a scam.
The Do Not Call list keeps you off for–profit business call lists, but it isn’t immediate. Telemarketers
update their lists periodically, so the FTC says it can take up to 31–days before it takes full effect.
If you receive an unexpected sales call after you’ve registered your number, and you’ve been on the list for 31–days, you can file a complaint. Go to https://www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222. Be prepared to provide the date of the call and the company’s name or phone number.
On the other hand, political organizations, charities and survey takers are still permitted to call you. Businesses you’ve bought something from or made a payment to in the last 18–months also have a right to call. If you ask them not to, however, they must honor your request.
Sometimes on a call from a survey company, they’ll ask if they can make a follow–up call. If you agree, then an associated for–profit company can call you with a sales pitch. In this case, you may wish to politely decline any offers for a follow–up.
Be careful when signing up for sweepstakes and free product offers. The fine print may say the company can send you telemarketing calls.
Another challenge is what is known as spoofing, when scammers change the number on caller identification. These sorts of calls look like a local call or that it is coming from someone you trust, like your school or bank. Don’t answer calls from unfamiliar numbers.
Under the rules, most businesses can’t hit you with prerecorded telemarketing messages, also called robocalls, without your written permission. Political and informational robocalls, such as those received from healthcare providers, banks and schools, are still allowed.
For the record, mobile telephone numbers have never been in any danger of being made public or released to telemarketers. There has never been a deadline to register your cellphone. In fact, even if you DON’T sign up your cellphone, the FTC says unsolicited telemarketing calls or robocalls to cellphones are illegal. If you’re getting unsolicited marketing calls, first ask the caller how they got your number and tell them you don’t want to be contacted. If they call back, you have every right to file a complaint.
For your own safety and peace of mind, it is a good idea to register all your landline and wireless numbers. In the event you then receive a telemarketing call, it’s a good indication the person on the other end is a scammer. Legitimate telemarketers play by the rules and don’t want to risk the hefty fine for disregarding a number on the list.