I'm up to my gills with telemarketers!

[Paper Roses]

My kids talked me into dropping my land line and using only a cell phone. It saves me a ton of money each month because they put me on their 'friends and family' plan. While I appreciate this, I find that I am uncomfortable with the operation of this phone. I'm learning but: Geese Louise, I am getting all kinds of telemarketing calls. I don't recognize the numbers and am now at the point that I am letting the phone ring, then going to the computer to see if I can look up the number. Sure enough, many of them are listed as telemarketers.

I was unable to answer a call I got earlier this am, and had the presents of mind to see if I could look it up. Sure enough, there was the number and listed as a telemarketing firm in Florida.

Should I never answer the phone except for the numbers that are in my address book? I can go to the computer and try to see if I can find some reference to the number but what a pain in the neck. If I answer, I will be charged for the call as I understand it.

I thought there was a law against telemarketing calls.

[grasswire]

1. I'm on a friends and family plan and I have never gotten one..

...telemarketing call. Zero unsolicited calls. I wonder why I don't and you do.

[Agschmid]

26. I'm on my own plan and have only ever gotten the "Aruba" call thing.

But I give my phone number out pretty regularly.

[demosincebirth]

2. I don't answer any call that I don't recognize, or call that has their # blocked. If it's important

they will leave a message.

[leftyladyfrommo]

10. That is what I do, too.

Most of those calls come in with really strange looking numbers. I don't pick up. People who really need me always leave a message and I call them right back.

[TlalocW]

3. There are laws

But enforcement is spotty.

I actually like telemarketer calls for two reasons: 1) I really like my ringtone 2) I normally can Google the number showing on my phone, find out what they're calling about, answer, and immediately offer them whatever goods and services (or scam) they're calling me about.

Last time I did this, I immediately told the telemarketer that I was calling from Microsoft, and our systems had detected a virus on their computer, and I was going to need remote access to it so I could get rid of it for them. Long pause and then, "Thank you for your time." Hangup.

I called them five times, insisting more urgently each time that I was from Microsoft, and their computer was in imminent danger. They finally blocked me.

TlalocW

[pipi_k]

9. hahahaha!!! I wish

I could look up a number that fast.

I would totally be into trying to sell them the same thing they're selling.

[NightWatcher]

4. I NEVER answer a call if I dont know the number.

If it's important, they'll leave a message.

Might I recommend that you start screening your calls and not answering if you dont know who it is. It will cut back on junk calls. Unfortunately when you answer a shit call it only lets the spammer know that you are a live person and a good mark to call again. Once you start screening, hopefully the calls will slow and eventually stop.

[pinboy3niner]

20. + 1000. nt

[Proud Public Servant]

5. I've used a cell phone exclusively

Since 2010. I also give my number out whenever necessary. I can count on my fingers the number of telemarketing calls I've received -- and I can count on the fingers of one hand how many of those have been totally out of the blue (as opposed to the ones from my cable provider or other service I already willingly engage). I feel your pain, but I'm not sure the use of a cell phone per se is the issue.

[question everything]

6. Yes, this is the way to do this. Check google

and if one is more persistence, block the call.

Here is what I post a month ago

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024472842

Don't call back this "missed call" from an unfamiliar number

Think twice before returning a missed call from a number you don’t know.

The scheme works by robocallers letting the phone ring once, to show up as a missed call.

Victims who call the number back are then connected to a paid adult entertainment service located overseas. The calls typical cost victims $19.95 for an international call fee, plus $9 or more per minute.

The BBB said the scam calls usually come from outside the United States, but include area codes that appear as if they are regular long distance calls. The calls are coming in from area codes 268, 809, 876, 284 and 473.

http://www.startribune.com/local/blogs/243818961.html

[jehop61]

7. I just started using Google Voice

for home calling from my computer. It syncs with my mobile. Good news, it's free. Bad news, I get 4 or 5 telemarketing calls a day. Guess nothing is "free"

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

8. I use a number block. Disconnects call immediately. :)

[FloriTexan]

11. Definately get this...

I never get any calls...
https://www.donotcall.gov/

[Holly_Hobby]

12. I've been registering my phone numbers on

that site for many years and I NEVER get telemarketing calls.

[shraby]

13. I have too and still get them.

[Holly_Hobby]

17. File a complaint -

I've had the same cell phone # since 2000 and that's my only phone, so lots of people and companies have the number.

[Voice for Peace]

31. it's worth re-registering.

I just did.

I get an occasional marketing call "unknown number"
but not many.

[Ino]

14. I'm registered there and I get a lot of calls anyway.

And yes, it's still registered there. And on Missouri Do Not Call. Lots of calls. Lots.

[Holly_Hobby]

18. File complaints, maybe they'll stop

I don't get it, I've had the same cell phone # for 14 years and it's my only phone, so half the world has the number. I never get bothered.

[Ino]

19. I have filed complaints.

I've even filed multiple complaints against the same offenders who call every week (credit card services). Some called me 3x/day (home security system)! Nothing stops them. I tell them I'm on two Do Not Call registries. I've asked them nicely to remove my number from their call list. I ask to speak to a supervisor and ask the supervisor to remove my number from their call list. I've blown whistles in their ears. I've cursed at them. I've hung up. I've refused to answer the phone (tough call, since it's also my work number). Nothing stops them. I added the Call Blocker service. Calls still get through. They never give up, and no one ever stops them.

[Holly_Hobby]

21. That's awful

I would have changed my number a long time ago, but my cell phone was never my work #.

[tabbycat31]

15. Here's a technique

[Lizzie Poppet]

25. Epic win!

I'm laughing at least as hard as they guys in the video playing the recording.

[Beaverhausen]

30. Telemarketers are just doing their jobs

You may not like it but there's no reason to treat them badly.

[itsrobert]

33. They need to get a new line of work

pestering people and getting them to sign up for a lot of junk they don't need. They prey on the elderly.

[Doremus]

16. My kids showed me how to label nuisance calls "Do Not Answer"

Then when they call back, that's what shows on the phone and I know not to answer.

Sheer genius, these kids nowadays.

[Paper Roses]

23. HOw did they do it? n/t

[JimDandy]

32. That's the 'name' you give to the number that is spamming you

when you save it in your phone's contacts list. I save them as 'junk call 1', 'junk call 2' etc., but this is even better.

[Paper Roses]

22. Hi everyone, just two telemarketing calls today. For your reference,

Last edited Sun Mar 9, 2014, 05:26 AM - Edit history (1)

305-602-xxxx
323-606-xxxx

Googled both.

The first from Florida, the second from Calif.
I read comments on for both numbers. Both junk stuff.

Learned a lesson. Unless the number comes up on my address book. I will never call them back!

Will keep up this on-line checking as often as possible.
Thanks for your insight.
PR

[SDjack]

29. I never accept call from unknown number. But, if I become curious, my first

move is to check the number with www.EveryCall.us

[BadgerKid]

34. I know a guy who answers these.

He answers the call, lets them do their spiel, and then tells them he doesn't respond to solicitations from unknown numbers. I'm not sure it would be worth my time, but I can see that it's feedback for the telemarketers.

[Jesus Malverde]

24. Create a contact on your phone called spam

set the vibration and ring for this contact to silent.

Add these phone numbers to the contact as they come in.

That way at least they only bug you once.

[Warpy]

27. I don't answer my phone if I don't recognize the number

and I've never bothered to set up voice mail. I must frustrate the hell out of them.

[Cleita]

28. I hear you. I finally had to get rid of my land line to get rid of

the pests. There are laws that aren't enforced or are just toothless. The telemarketing companies laugh at them. The telephone companies like the money they bring in so they won't do anything about them. It's going to take a serious wrong being done to an elderly person or a class action lawsuit with teeth in to stop them.

[ms.smiler]

35. Paper Roses, do you like to deposit checks?

Make sure your phone number is on the Do Not Call list.

https://donotcall.gov/

5 years ago I began researching mortgage/foreclosure/securities fraud and I couldn’t help but learn about the debt collection racket, telemarketing and the FDCPA and TCPA.

Please review both these laws, become familiar with what is lawful and unlawful action. Once you understand these laws, keep paper handy for notes, a digital camera, even a recording device. (If any person wishes to record a conversation, always state the intention and obtain consent.)

http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/policy/TCPA-Rules.pdf

http://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/rules/rulemaking-regulatory-reform-proceedings/fair-debt-collection-practices-act-text

You have a choice to make. You can remain passive and simply ignore your phone or perhaps use silent rings or other measures to lessen your annoyance with these unwanted and most likely unlawful calls, or you can make some effort and hold these companies accountable under the law and deposit checks.

Telemarketers were driving me nuts a couple years ago and I put up with it for several months. I’m a business person and over time I came view those calls as $1,000 under the law and $1,500 under the law. My view of these calls changed from that of an annoyance to one of opportunity. If these companies intentionally went out of their way to disrupt my day, why shouldn’t they pay me?

It’s simple enough with my phones, my phone records, my mailbox messages, and my digital camera to document unlawful calls made to me. I’m not an attorney, but it’s simple enough to file a Complaint at my local District Court explaining what happened stating facts and citing the section or sections of law I believe were violated. (The filing fee varies but is likely about $100)

In my experience over the past two years, once a consumer catches these companies violating law and files a Complaint, rather than defend a losing case, they are eager to settle and save themselves money.

If you sue for $1,000 under the FDCPA, settle for $1,500 which is still less costly than defending/fighting and losing. You are at least entitled to the amount of the damage plus your filing fee. Don’t worry about trebling the $500 on a TCPA violation. “Willfully” has been decided to mean "the defendant acted voluntarily, and under its own free will, regardless of whether the defendant knew that it was acting in violation of the statute.” So sue for $1,500 per call.

Attorneys fees are covered under the FDCPA but not under the TCPA.

I’ve deposited a few checks over the past year and tomorrow I will be filing two Complaints, one for $1,000 and the other for $4,000. Those TCPA violations can really add up.

I don’t get many nuisance calls anymore but I now look forward to them because it means a trip to the bank.

Thankfully we have laws to protect consumers – use them.