Telemarketers Hang Up
One year after the National Do-Not-Call Registry went into effect, consumers really are receiving fewer telemarketing calls. But there are still some violators out there, and it's up to you to report them.
By Erin Burt, Contributing Editor, Kiplinger.com
September 30, 2004
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Brad Gunnell spent last summer dodging telemarketing calls.
When he and his wife Heidi would come home from work, they'd find their answering machine clogged with offers to refinance their mortgage, consolidate their debt, beef up their insurance coverage or even buy a new water softener. "And then we'd get two or more calls every evening," says Gunnell. "We stopped answering our phone because it got so bad."
When the government established the National Do-Not-Call Registry last year, the Riverton, Utah, couple immediately signed up. Now they only receive about one phone solicitation a week -- usually from a company with which they already do business.
The Gunnells aren't alone in their experience. Since the National Do-Not-Call Registry's launch one year ago, Americans have entered more than 62 million phone numbers. And about 87% of people who added their numbers to the list say telemarketing calls have decreased, according to a study from the Customer Care Alliance.
On average, they're receiving six calls per month, compared to 30 before the ban took effect. And about one-quarter of those reporting fewer calls say telemarketers have stopped bothering them entirely, says Lois Greisman of the Federal Trade Commission, the agency that operates the registry.
"It's a raging success," says Beth Givens, director of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. "The registry has really been a good thing for consumers."
Nab the violators
The reason for such a high success rate is that marketers have good reasons to stick to the rules. The do-not-call registry isn't voluntary, it is law. Violations can cost up to $11,000 per call.
But it's up to consumers to report violators (unfortunately, the feds get the money, not you).
A whopping 96% of consumers who think they've received an illegal call don't report it to the government, mainly because they don't think it's worth the trouble or they don't know how, according the Customer Care Alliance.
Filing a complaint is easy: You just need the offending organization's name or phone number, as well as the date of the call. Then plug those two pieces of information into the FTC's online complaint form.
The FTC has received about 500,000 complaints so far, and has taken action against one firm already. "We have four more cases pending and several more in the pipeline," says Greisman.
Who can still call?
Keep in mind, though, that some calls are not covered by the law. Organizations who can still phone you include:
- Political organizations
- Charities
- Telephone surveyors
- Companies with whom you have an existing business relationship (a company may call you for 18 months after you make a purchase or three months after you submit an inquiry or application)
- Companies you've given permission to call