our BBB receives numerous calls from people saying, “Why are so many companies calling me? How did they get my name and number?” You gave it to them.
The person replies, “I did not.” Our customer service representative then asks the caller if he had signed up for a drawing recently. Many times the answer is, “yes.”
When a person signs up for a drawing he is giving the company permission to call him. Also, if the company then sells the name to other companies (and many times they do), those companies have permission to call you. Be careful who you give your name and phone number to.
If you pay for a magazine subscription, tell the magazine company to not share your information with other companies. If you don’t tell them not to, you will receive unwanted calls and mailings.
What about the Do Not Call Registry for cell phones? There is not a separate registry.
Here is the statement from the Federal Trade Commission that can be found on its website:
Federal regulations already prohibit most telemarketing targeted to cell phones. The truth about cell phones and the Do Not Call Registry is: The government is not releasing cell phone numbers to telemarketers. There is no deadline for registering a cell phone number on the Do Not Call Registry… There is only one Do Not Call Registry, operated by the Federal Trade Commission, with information available at www.donotcall.gov or (888) 382-1222. There is no separate registry for cell phones.
Telemarketers/sellers are required to search the registry once every 31 days and drop from their call lists the phone number of consumers who are registered.
You can register up to three phone numbers, including your cell phone. If you receive an unwanted call, tell them not to call back. If the telemarketer keeps calling back, file a complaint with the Do Not Call Registry through the FTC.
There is also a Colorado No-Call list. It’s good to be registered here, too. Go to www.coloradonocall.com to register.
Unfortunately, political campaign offices can still call. The only way to handle them is to have caller ID and not answer those calls. Charities can also call but not third-party telemarketers for the charities.
Remember, some companies will entice you with drawings for prizes — then sell your name and number. Keep off those lists.
What other ways have companies tried to get your number?
The person replies, “I did not.” Our customer service representative then asks the caller if he had signed up for a drawing recently. Many times the answer is, “yes.”
When a person signs up for a drawing he is giving the company permission to call him. Also, if the company then sells the name to other companies (and many times they do), those companies have permission to call you. Be careful who you give your name and phone number to.
If you pay for a magazine subscription, tell the magazine company to not share your information with other companies. If you don’t tell them not to, you will receive unwanted calls and mailings.
What about the Do Not Call Registry for cell phones? There is not a separate registry.
Here is the statement from the Federal Trade Commission that can be found on its website:
Federal regulations already prohibit most telemarketing targeted to cell phones. The truth about cell phones and the Do Not Call Registry is: The government is not releasing cell phone numbers to telemarketers. There is no deadline for registering a cell phone number on the Do Not Call Registry… There is only one Do Not Call Registry, operated by the Federal Trade Commission, with information available at www.donotcall.gov or (888) 382-1222. There is no separate registry for cell phones.
Telemarketers/sellers are required to search the registry once every 31 days and drop from their call lists the phone number of consumers who are registered.
You can register up to three phone numbers, including your cell phone. If you receive an unwanted call, tell them not to call back. If the telemarketer keeps calling back, file a complaint with the Do Not Call Registry through the FTC.
There is also a Colorado No-Call list. It’s good to be registered here, too. Go to www.coloradonocall.com to register.
Unfortunately, political campaign offices can still call. The only way to handle them is to have caller ID and not answer those calls. Charities can also call but not third-party telemarketers for the charities.
Remember, some companies will entice you with drawings for prizes — then sell your name and number. Keep off those lists.
What other ways have companies tried to get your number?
No comments:
Post a Comment