pilotdave 0 #1 December 19, 2002 Cell phone rang, number "unavailable"....knew it was a telemarketer. So I picked up and asked for the supervisor. He said "dont you want to know who's calling?" He said he was from citibank and he'd connect me to his supervisor right away. Supervisor picks up, and i asked for his name, his company's name, their location, and their phone number. He got everything except the phone number. He put me on hold to look it up. A second after coming back he either hung up or we got disconnected. So I went to google, and found the company's website: http://www.teleservicesdirect.com. Believe it or not, they have their phone number, fax number, and multiple email addresses. I was shocked that they're so easy to contact. So I called back, but I didnt know the last name of the guy I had been talking to so I couldn't have too much fun. I asked for someone in charge and ended up getting someone's voicemail. Musta been lunch time. Anyway there's no way I'm leaving my number and asking for a telemarketer to call me back, so I'll try again later. That company says they specialize in collegiate telemarketing. So when any of you college student types get a telemarketer on the phone, ask em if they're from TeleServices Direct. You can reach the company at 1-888-646-6626 if you want to harass a real live telemarketer on your own time. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #2 December 19, 2002 Quote multiple email addresses Sounds like they want to receive Gay and Animal Porn in their mail box daily!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #3 December 19, 2002 "You're from what company?" "You're selling what?" "It doesn't matter... I'm kind of depressed... I won't need any products in the future... Can't wait to just get off the phone... " Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakous 0 #4 December 19, 2002 I just tell them that the person they are looking for has recently died. Usually, you will get an apolgetic response and they will say "oh, I will cross them of the list then". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indyz 1 #5 December 19, 2002 I got 7 calls the other day from a company that wanted to give me a credit card. They told me who they were, I said "no, thanks," and hung up. The other six times I just hung up after they told me who they were. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #6 December 19, 2002 Here's how I do it: Junkbuster script Since starting this policy, I get a lot less phone-spam. It's also great fun to listen to the spammer start to hesitate and splutter when they know that you know what the law is and what your rights are. If you don't go for the agressive approach, you can also put the Ma Bell "Out of Service" tones on your answering machine (see attachments) this will fool the "predictive dialing" bots into thinking your phone number doesn't work, and will automatically de-list it. Either of these files will work. The single tone will keep your friends from freaking out. ----------- Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (TCPA) 1. "Do not call" lists. The TCPA requires telemarketers to take you off their list if you ask them to do so. Further, telemarketers must have a written policy for maintaining do not call lists, available upon demand. (47 CFR 64.1200) If you have received more than one call by or on behalf of the same company in one year, after you have told the company to place your name on the "do not call list," you can: a) Sue the telemarketer in state court (usually small claims is recommended) to stop such calls and/or to recover a penalty. The penalty is actual monetary loss or up to $500, whichever is greater (my emphasis), for each call received after you requested to be placed on the "do not call" list. If the court finds that the marketer willfully or knowingly broke the law, the penalty is up to three times the actual monetary loss or up to $1500, whichever is greater. The penalty for violations with respect to automatic dialing systems, prerecorded messages and facsimile machines, is $500 or actual damages, whichever is greater. The penalty for willful or knowing violations is $1500 or three times the actual damages. b) File a complaint with the FCC and request that it take enforcement action against the telemarketer. Its web site provides a complaint form, www.fcc.gov. The FCC’s National Call Center can be reached at (888) 225-5322."The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." tones.wav tone.wav Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cgross 1 #7 December 19, 2002 Did you know it is ILLEGAL for a telemarketer to call your cell phone? Yes it is. Mainly because you are charged for both ingoing and outgoing calls, and any advertisment or sales company has no right to charge you any $$$ with out asking. Therefor, keep the bill and talk to your cell phone providor, you may be able to get money for the call. Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #8 December 19, 2002 I have heard that but haven't found an official source for that information. Anyone know where it actually says that it's illegal? Edit: Never mind, found it at http://www.junkbusters.com/fcc.html. It's an FCC rule. Cool! Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildblue 7 #9 December 19, 2002 I saw on the news today that they want to pass a law, fining telemarketing companies for calling you if you put yourself on a "do no call" list - of course, the telemarketing companies say they'll fight it, because it violates their right to free speech.. or some such non-sense.it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #10 December 19, 2002 QuoteI saw on the news today that they want to pass a law, fining telemarketing companies for calling you if you put yourself on a "do no call" list - of course, the telemarketing companies say they'll fight it, because it violates their right to free speech.. or some such non-sense. Please see the junkbusters script, and the 1991 act. In Washington State, if you demand to be put on a "Do Not Call" List, and they violate it, you can collect. They can also be fined by the FCC. Many states have some variant of this in their Code."The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cgross 1 #11 December 19, 2002 It is a law in many states. NY is one of them! Upto 2000 dollars per violation for calling a "do not call person" There are exception of course. One exception is that all new companies have the right to call you once. Any company outside the US can call with no penelty...etc... Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #12 December 19, 2002 QuoteDid you know it is ILLEGAL for a telemarketer to call your cell phone Actually I didn't. I do have one that calls occassionally but since I almost NEVER answer my cell unless I know someone is calling they just leave VM. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #13 December 19, 2002 The do not call list is federal law: 14 CFR 64.1200. Wow, lotsa good stuff to know in there. I'm gonna call the telemarketing company and let them know they're in violation of federal law and ask them who I should bill the calls. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #14 December 19, 2002 This might be what you saw on the news: National Do Not Call list. I'm a big fan of that! Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildblue 7 #15 December 19, 2002 Yeah, that's it, I should have been more clear. It's going to be a national list you put yourself on, not one for every company out there.it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #16 December 19, 2002 Oooh! I'm gonna file a complaint with the FCC before I call them back. http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/complaintfile.html. It's easy! Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #17 December 19, 2002 All charities and non-profit organizations are exempt. They are still allowed to call and harass you all they want. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #18 December 19, 2002 QuoteThis might be what you saw on the news: National Do Not Call list. I'm a big fan of that! Dave It's really funny hearing the telemarketers whine, knowing that they are despised only a little less than lawyers."The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jessd 0 #19 December 19, 2002 I have never recieved a telemarketing call on my cell phone. I didn't even know that they did that. I thought that they just harassed you at home. "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #20 December 19, 2002 Quote All charities and non-profit organizations are exempt. They are still allowed to call and harass you all they want. They are not exempt from me harrassing them! "I am glad you called, my son never calls, I think it is THAT woman..." "Hi there... it is so great to talk to you... to share with you... do you have a moment to talk about Jesus?" This is the guaranteed call ender. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #21 December 19, 2002 QuoteThis might be what you saw on the news: National Do Not Call list. I'm a big fan of that! Dave The tele-spammers won't be able to block Caller ID anymore, either. That should help put a lot of boiler-room operations out of business. On the other hand, the scofflaws will most likely find a way of re-routing calls, probably through some offshore exchanges, to avoid that as well, but it will cost them a lot more. GOOD! Part of the impetus for this legislation is the clever dirty trick that some tele-spammers have perpetrated: "If you hang up on our automated message, you are automatically allowing us to bill your credit card." This has actually happened."The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
