New rules give consumers way to opt out of 'robo calls'

[Robbien]

Source: SF Gate

Federal Trade Commission rules took effect Monday saying telemarketing calls that are recorded in advance - also known as robo calls - from businesses or charities must include ways for recipients to opt out of future calls.

Consumers are already supposed to be protected from unsolicited commercial calls if they're on the national Do Not Call registry, but calls from businesses with which consumers have a relationship (they've inquired about their products or services, for example) were permitted. Also, calls from legitimate charities were allowed.

They still are. But under the new rules, a prerecorded message has to offer a way to cut off the call - and ban future calls from the same source - by pressing a particular number or saying a word.

According to the FTC, there is no universal number or word that all telemarketers must use, but the opt-out information must be stated early in the call. According to the rule, a call must begin with, in this order: the identity of the caller, the purpose of the call and instructions for opting out.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/01/BUHD14FHN1.DTL

[Dogmudgeon]

1. We have a Do-Not-Call Registry in Pennsylvania

Unfortunately, we also have a Do-Not-Enforce state A.G. (A Republican -- why do you ask?)

I must get 5 or 6 calls every day from different vultures in any given day -- and that number has declined significantly since Summer.

--p!

[Merlot]

3. I was getting about the same amount of calls and they've dropped since

summer too. Why is that? Bad economy?

Now I'm down to about three calls a day, but these calls don't leave a message when the machine kicks in.

Unfortunatly, due to the number of calls and I work at home, I have to screen.

[Dogmudgeon]

7. I think it's completely the economy

I was getting calls last winter.

Most phone scammers are small operators. Being small lets them fly under the radar. But when "discretionary credit" disappears, so do small operators.

It's even tough to screen calls, since caller ID blocking devices are easily available and legal.

--p!

[JerseygirlCT]

10. The DNC still isn't going to help with

political calls or charities. Or businesses that say they have an established relationship with you.

[Kelvin Mace]

2. No, we want "opt in" laws

No robo-calls unless I SPECIFICALLY say I want to receive them. ESPECIALLY political calls.

[MaineDem]

4. Political calls have been exempt from Do Not Call rules

I wonder if that's still the case?

[Veruca Salt]

5. I've found the most reliable and funnest way to 'opt out'

is when the telemarketer calls, answer with "Hello, this is Domino's may I take your order?" or "Thank you for calling Nynex, this weeks great long distance rates are..."

I had been getting a lot of them from the India call centers and got fed up - one lady I tried to sell long distance service to and got her to hang up on me after she had a fit. The domino's pitch was an immediate hang up. My next one is Miss Cleo's Psychic Hotline, but I haven't gotten a call from a telemarketer for months now.

I think my number is listed as a business with them now. Whatever it is it works! I do hope I get to use some of my other pitches some day though.

[MaineDem]

6. Ha ha, NYNEX.

You're showing your age. :rofl:

But, I remember them well, too.

:hi:

[pipoman]

9. The restaurant I work at gets at least 10 'robo' calls per day

trying to loan money to the business...most over the lunch hour when it is least convenient to answer the phone.

[pinniped]

8. That automated car warranty BS is really pissing me off.

These assholes must have called every wireless and residential phone line in the country by now.

I think those robo-idiots are spoofing the caller ID system. The area codes always differ, with some even displaying 'private' caller.

[JerseygirlCT]

11. Good

I can't stand those.

If you can't even spring for an actual person, I'm certainly not even going to give you a listen. That's the absolute height of rudeness IMO.