Automated calls are becoming more frequent and more infuriating. Weren’t they supposed to have been banned? Yes, but that hasn’t happened in practice. According to the Better Business Bureau:
The federal Telemarketing Sales Rule prohibits recorded sales messages unless you have given written permission for the caller to contact you, regardless of whether or not your number is on the Do Not Call registry (www.donotcall.gov).
Nonetheless, a growing number of consumers are receiving calls that offer fraudulent credit card services, questionable auto warranty plans, home security systems and grant procurement programs.
Here are some tips from the BBB and Money Talks News for stopping robocalls. They’re not foolproof, but they can help.
1. Keep your number to yourselfYou know how businesses ask for your number for just about any reason? If you don’t have to give it, don’t. “It is a tacit invitation for them to call that number or sell it to a third party,” the BBB says.
2. Tell companies you use to buzz offIt not illegal for a business to make marketing calls if you have a relationship with them. So read the terms and conditions of your purchases and services carefully. Buried in those agreements might be a clause agreeing to these annoying calls.
If you find out too late that you agreed to their spam, you can still stop it by specific request. Call and keep a record of the date you made the request, and follow up with the FTC if the business keeps harassing you.
3. Hang up right awayIf you get a robocall, immediately hang up. “There is nothing to gain from attempting to reason with the people behind the calls,” the BBB says.
Contact your service provider to see if it has free blocking services but be warned: Your caller ID might show a phony number when the robocall comes in because the latest technology can fool your service.
Read Entire Article: http://www.moneytalksnews.com/7-tips-stop-annoying-robocalls/
The federal Telemarketing Sales Rule prohibits recorded sales messages unless you have given written permission for the caller to contact you, regardless of whether or not your number is on the Do Not Call registry (www.donotcall.gov).
Nonetheless, a growing number of consumers are receiving calls that offer fraudulent credit card services, questionable auto warranty plans, home security systems and grant procurement programs.
Here are some tips from the BBB and Money Talks News for stopping robocalls. They’re not foolproof, but they can help.
1. Keep your number to yourselfYou know how businesses ask for your number for just about any reason? If you don’t have to give it, don’t. “It is a tacit invitation for them to call that number or sell it to a third party,” the BBB says.
2. Tell companies you use to buzz offIt not illegal for a business to make marketing calls if you have a relationship with them. So read the terms and conditions of your purchases and services carefully. Buried in those agreements might be a clause agreeing to these annoying calls.
If you find out too late that you agreed to their spam, you can still stop it by specific request. Call and keep a record of the date you made the request, and follow up with the FTC if the business keeps harassing you.
3. Hang up right awayIf you get a robocall, immediately hang up. “There is nothing to gain from attempting to reason with the people behind the calls,” the BBB says.
Contact your service provider to see if it has free blocking services but be warned: Your caller ID might show a phony number when the robocall comes in because the latest technology can fool your service.
Read Entire Article: http://www.moneytalksnews.com/7-tips-stop-annoying-robocalls/