Why am I still receiving calls from telemarketers?

[cantdrv55]

I have caller ID so I never pick up unless I recognize the number. Still, these calls come in the evenings, weekends, etc. What happened to the national no call registry?

[stomachmonkey]

Think you need to "renew" yearly?

One of the other things that Telemarketers are using now is the "answering machine" tactic. If you answer the phone they either hang up or tell you the call was meant for your answering machine. They will continue to call until a machine picks up and they can deliver the message.

[jrdavid68]

Chris - subscribe to Privacy Manager from AT&T and you will be a happy boy!

[cantdrv55]

Thanks Ross!

[fingpilot]

A telemarketer is a spammer with a GED.

It's what all spammers aspire to.

I mention that I work for the Attorney Generals' office, and I would like two of whatever they are selling. One will be a control, and the other will be tested.

I usually do not get it all out before it goes to dial tone.

[juanbenae]

i will be sure to shut off my private caller feature before i call you next time chris....

[competentone]

Originally posted by stomachmonkey
Think you need to "renew" yearly?

From: https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx

"Your registration will be effective for five years."

I think a lot of telemarketers have just started calling to do "research" as a way around the legislation prohibiting them from calling if you're on the list.

And of course politicians are exempt from having to consult the list -- you can bet with all the low-cost VOIP and automated calling systems, in September and November 2008 my phone will be permanently "off."

[id10t]

Politics, charities, etc. can still call. As can anyone you have a "business relationship with" and their partners. Which means your cc company can sell your name/info/etc. to a "partner"

[K9Torro]

You have a phone

Todd

[john70t]

Non-profits can you call all they want.
This includes all political, public media/services, and even some questionable non-profit "debt-reduction" companies.
If they leave an 800 number, I sometimes interupt my return call to wait for the roast to finish cooking.

Thought I heard something on NPR where the "no-call" Gov(FCC?) actually sells a small allowable database to some of the telemarketers in order to fund the program. I hope I heard wrong though.

[Zeke]

Originally posted by stomachmonkey
Think you need to "renew" yearly?

One of the other things that Telemarketers are using now is the "answering machine" tactic. If you answer the phone they either hang up or tell you the call was meant for your answering machine. They will continue to call until a machine picks up and they can deliver the message.

I don't see why an answering machine is any different that your personal answer. I'm tired of it, too, but I didn't know about the 5 year re-register. Anyway, I keep my phone base in the garage. I use the walk around as I wish, but take all calls thru a machine. If I'm in the garage (which is a lot during many days), I will answer. I don't have caller ID, don't need it and won't answer the phone for anyone after 5 PM. My close family knows how to reach me in the event of an emergency, that's all I need.

Phones have become way to important in people's lives. I don't turn on my cell unless I need to call out. No one has the right to bother me at their leisure. And, I don't stop by people's houses w/o making prior arrangements. I expect the same from others, but don't always get it.

Or course, the cell phone thing is a whole 'nother story. Never in history have so many people been in other peoples' business whether they like it or not. The bottom line to this thread is that there is no privacy anymore unless one takes more drastic measures, as I do.

[azasadny]

Most of the telemarketing calls we get are from the alumni associations of the schools my wife and I graduated from. I will give them $ when hell freezes over!

[rhjames]

caller ID?

never answer the phone without caller ID screening.

leave your fax machine (you do have one don't you?) on to answer the phone.

when the fax machine answers the call, the computer generated (phishing) calls will register your # as someone to not call again.

besides, have you ever called a # only to find it was a fax-only number? I'll bet you don't ever call that number again, do you?

you'll still get calls, but not nearly with the frequency you have had before using these tips.

short of that, turn the ringers off and only use the phone for calling out......of course, everyone you want to be 'able' to call you will quit calling as well.

[Isabo]

Sometimes I now ask them to recall me on my mobile phone, the number i give has a contract where half the phone call cost is credited to my account, about $0.20 per minute. Five minutes is one dollar

[island_dude]

Isabo, I wish I could find a plan like that here. I had thought that telemarketers are not allowed to leave messages as part of the do not call registry rules. Maybe I didn't read it through. I don't know why they bother, I never buy anything from someone calling me randomly.