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How to Reduce Unwanted Telemarketing

The National Do Not Call Registry gives Americans a choice about getting telemarketing calls at home. According to a recent Harris Interactive poll,92 percent of people who reported placing a number on the registry said they are receiving fewer calls; a total of 78 percent said they’re getting “far fewer calls” or none at all.

Here are two tools that can help you reduce the number of telemarketing calls to your home:

1. Register your home phone number with the National Do Not Call registry. Registration can be done online and is simple and free.

2. If a company makes a telemarketing call to your home, Ask to be placed on the calling company's do-not-call list required by Federal and State law. If you ask to be placed on a do-not-call list, and the telemarketer continues to call you after 45 days, you may be entitled to collect $500 to $1,000 in Small Claims Court. More information is available from the Federal Trade Commission.

Caution: According to the FTC, consumer protection officials say that rip-off artists have been reported trying to take advantage of the popularity of these services to trick consumers into giving up personal information, such as their Social Security number, bank account number, credit card number or telephone calling card number.

Websites or phone solicitors that claim they can or will register or confirm a consumer's name or phone number on a national list — especially those who charge a fee — are a scam. Registration on the national "Do Not Call" registry is free. The government does not call anyone to put them on a "Do Not Call" registry.

Scams

Slamming

Slamming is the unauthorized switching of your local or toll service. In some cases, it happens without any contact from the company. More often, it follows a telemarketing call or offer from the company. A company must obtain your written or audiotaped authorization (Third-Party Verification) before switching your service. Before you agree to talk to a verifier, take the time to get all your questions answered, and remember you have the right to ask for the offer in writing. To help protect against slamming, request your local phone company to place a "freeze" on your account that largely (but not completely) prevents a switch from being made without your permission.

Cramming

Cramming is billing for services you did not order or authorize. Frequent complaints include adult entertainment services, voice mail or web services, or psychic hotlines. In some cases, the charges may be listed on your bill in unclear terms such as "enhanced services” or “activation.”

Caution is your best protection against slamming and cramming.

Ask for the details in writing and read them carefully. Review your monthly phone bill for unexpected charges. If you detect slamming or cramming, you have the right to request proof of authorization. Bills should have a toll free number to use to contact the billing entity. Or call your authorized telephone companies for help. If you need further assistance, contact Consumer Affairs.

When Your Computer Makes a Call

DPS has been hearing from consumers who open their phone bills to find extremely high long distance charges for calls they never made, but, it turns out, their computers did. Also called Modem Highjacking, this occurs most often when you respond to a pop-up ad or a Web site question, usually offering you some kind of service. However, you have unwittingly agreed to a download of software, which instructs your modem to make long distance calls or dials overseas pay-per-call services. If you are interested in the offer read the fine print.

Local phone companies are not responsible for this happening, and may seek to collect charges for services of their networks. Nonetheless, some local carriers, in particular, Verizon, will grant a one time courtesy credit in full for these charges. It is up to the consumer to take steps such as unplugging the line from your modem when you're not using it, or place a long distance or international call block service on the line you use for dial-up Internet access.

If you see these or any suspicious charges appear. Contact your local telephone company and ask it to investigate. The Federal Trade Commission publishes a Consumer Alert that gives you more detail about this scam and what you can do to protect yourself.

809 Scam

If you receive a voice mail, or other message asking you to call back to an 809 area code, or some other area code that you normally don't call, becareful. You may be falling into an overseas pay-per-call scam, that will leave you with hundreds of dollars in long distance charges.

Best bet: If you don't recognize the phone number or area code, don't return the call.