Do Not Call list violations on the increase with the economy headed south?

[LeeH]

I think the FCC's Do Not Call list is a joke. After going to the FCC's website, filling in every piece of info requested regarding various calls, I received form letters every time saying I didn't include all of the info needed.

Now that things are getting tougher in the business world I've noticed an increase in telemarketing calls. I'm thinking that companies have figured out that the FCC doesn't care, so they're not going to either. Anyone else notice this?

[syncroid]

Don't even get me going on this one! There is a company that keeps calling my wife's cell phone, our home phone, and her work phone about getting an extended warranty on a car that we no longer own. I have NO patience for these dirt bags! There needs to be a "through the phone" Tazer that we can use to zap these bozos.

[Zeke]

It was a great idea that was easily sidestepped. I don't answer my phone. Leave a message. I get one or two a day and dismiss them in seconds. It's as easy as deleting spam. Phones are a thing of the past. Text someone to call you if you need to talk.

[legion]

[DasBoot]

Originally Posted by milt

Text someone to call you if you need to talk.

I've been getting text-spam!

[legion]

I've done all sorts of mean things to telemarketers.

I've told them that the product they are pushing caused the death of my brother, and I am involved in a wrongful death lawsuit against the company. Then I start asking them questions about the warranty and safety claims of their product (and try to make them as uncomfortable as possible).

I've told them that they have called an unlisted number for a "federal agency", and then started questioning them about how they got the number implying that a criminal investigation would result (or black helicopters would land on their rooftop in seconds).

I've pretended to be suicidal (got the idea from another Tom Mabe bit) and implied that them calling me was a sign from God that I should take my own life and started writing (out loud) a suicide note blaming their company.

I've NEVER gotten a call back...

[billwagnon]

You just need a Missouri phone number.


Telemarketers

Telemarketers that violate Missouri's No Call law by calling Missourians that have registered their home phone numbers to the No Call list are in jeopardy of facing a legal action initiated by the Attorney General.

To date the Attorney General's Office has obtained court orders requiring telemarketers that violated the No Call law to pay $2,973,000 to the State.

To comply with the law, telemarketers will need to apply to receive the No Call list. For more information, telemarketers should review the frequently asked questions on this subject.

[RWebb]

hard to catch them -- they now use "war dialing" with computers

[holtjv]

My company had some meetings with the FCC regarding DNC--we could very easily prove that our technology could not only prevent companies from calling those on the list but also allow the FCC to audit and enforce.

Their answer? We aren't really interested in enforcing the rule.

Pretty disappointing.