You can curtail or eliminate annoying calls from telemarketers. All it takes is a little effort and the following information.
Contact your phone company about caller ID services. With caller ID, you'll be able to see who is calling before you answer, then block your number from callers who won't allow you to identify them.
Resist trying to reason with a telemarketer. Telemarketing companies have scripted responses for almost anything you say.
Read More: How to Stop Pharmacy Telemarketers
Prepare for those unwanted calls before they happen. Write the phrase, 'Put my number on your don't-call list' on a memo by your phone.
Stay on the line when a telemarketer calls. You actually have to speak to telemarketers in order to get them to stop calling you.
Announce your prepared phrase, 'Put my number on your don't-call list,' to the telemarketer. Per FCC requirements, once you've said this sentence, the telemarketer is prohibited from calling you again for 10 years. (Make sure you say that exact sentence. Just saying 'Take me off your list' or 'Stop calling me' does not legally force the telemarketer to stop calling you.)
Write a letter to Telephone Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association at P.O. Box 9014, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014. Provide your name, address and home telephone number and say that you do not want calls from any telemarketers. Be sure to sign the letter and keep a copy.
Tips
- Get the name of the caller and the company's name and address, and ask the caller for a copy of the company's don't-call list. If the telemarketer doesn't know what that is or cannot supply you with one, take action by filing a formal complaint with the government agency. Contact Know Fraud at (877) 987-3728; www.consumer.gov/knowfraud.
- Realize that making these annoying calls is the telemarketers' job. They are not trying to personally assault you over the phone.
Tips
- Get the name of the caller and the company's name and address, and ask the caller for a copy of the company's don't-call list. If the telemarketer doesn't know what that is or cannot supply you with one, take action by filing a formal complaint with the government agency. Contact Know Fraud at (877) 987-3728; www.consumer.gov/knowfraud.
- Realize that making these annoying calls is the telemarketers' job. They are not trying to personally assault you over the phone.
Writer Bio
This article was written by Legal Beagle staff. If you have any questions, please reach out to us on our contact us page.