Registry to block unwanted calls

Detroit ^ | 3/12/2003 | AP

[Jackie]

To: ALL

How do you think the telemarketing business grew to such gigantic proportions? Why, it's because the telephone companies promote and sell their equipment, lines, and services to the phone jockeys, reaping millions.

THEN the telephone companies offer us (the private customers) gadgets and services to BLOCK unwanted calls, reaping MORE millions. The telephone companies found a gold mine. Losing the TM revenue will injure them as much as the jockeys whose jobs will be lost. Schemers, all.

(I posted this on the duplicate thread. My angle.)

[CharacterCounts]

So that's why the phone company charges me a monthly fee not to list my telephone number.

By the way, I did a search on the title and the keywords before posting this. I found no matches.

[AlanSC]

If you have the time and energy - one way to annoy the telemarketers - when they call (and after the pause) tell them that "for you protection and mine, I intend to record this call." Shuffle around a bit and then tell them the recorder is on and they need to consent to the recording and to fully identify themselves with name, company, employee number, supervisor name, etc., etc. Doubt they will want to comply and if they refuse, then that's it. Not granted, you've got to be pretty bored to do this but what else are you going to do a minute before 9pm on a week night?

[Jackie]

Absolutely. Millions have stopped having their numbers listed due SOLELY to fact that they think telemarketers won't bother them. Doesn't stop the TMs, but fees for this de-listing service are a very lucrative source of revenue for the phone companies.

[CharacterCounts]

My secretary usually does a good job of screening junk calls. However, a few years ago one persistent telemarketer got by her by telling her to call was for personal business. >P> When I took to call, I advised the telemarketer that he was talking to a lawyer, and that I charged $200 per hour for all telephone calls. I then let him go on for about 15 minutes. I then asked for his name and address. He questioned me as to why someone that information. When I told him I was preparing a bill for my services he swore and hung up.

It was fun.

[CharacterCounts]

Someone - should be - someone would want

[freedomlover]

When they passed laws against bank robery it devastated the bank robery business.

Come to think of it, you don't see many bankers in robes anymore. ;)

[martin_fierro]

But apparantly "huckers" are still a series threat. <|:)~

[Mr. Bird]

Curious: does the law only apply to private citizens' phones, or could a business theoretically sign up? And if so, could a salesperson attempting to "cold call" a business be subject to the fines?

I still think that there should be some way for the phone companies to provide this service rather than the government.

[Dimensio]

I believe that the junk fax law is a civil issue, not a criminal issue. You can sue the junk faxer for $500 per incident, or $1500 if you can demonstrate that they were are of the law at the time of the incident (thus they cannot argue ignorance of the law). I've heard of at least one idiot judge dismissing a case, but more often people win the suits that they file.

[Dimensio]

What I dread is when they start using my cell phone.

This is already illegal, and if you get a telemarketing call on your cell phone you can sue.

[CharacterCounts]

I still think that there should be some way for the phone companies to provide this service rather than the government.

See Jackie's post # 21.

The phone company wants to stop junk phone calls about as much as the post office wants to stop junk mail.

[Mr. Bird]

Oh, I know. What I'm saying is that I don't think a law is necessary. We may not pay for this "service" directly, but how much will it cost to regulate and enforce from the federal level?

Many phone companies are small players, not the MCI's, ATT, Verizons. If they could offer this type of service (since they're not jeopardizing big TM accounts by doing so), we could actually see some competitive pricing....

[Psycho_Bunny]

It's illegal to call on a cell because virtually all cell owners used to have to pay for the incoming call.

[steve-b]

The Direct Marketing Association filed a lawsuit against the trade commission last month, saying the registry unlawfully restricts free speech.

You are not free to use my phone for your speech.

I hope this case goes to a judge whose ruling will be the formal legal equivalent of "Baliff, whack his pee-pee".

[steve-b]

What I dread is when they start using my cell phone. They haven't yet. Why not?

Because that is already illegal, and if you catch the perp you can sue them for damages.

[CharacterCounts]

You are not free to use my phone for your speech

you have nailed the essence of what will be the final ruling in this lawsuit.

[ladtx]

Dumb law.

It should be a call list. If you want idiotic, dinner-time calls you should call to have your name put ON a list otherwise everyone's name is NOT automatically put on the list. I know that's a pie in the sky wish tho'.

[CharacterCounts]

Dumb law.

Your law would certainly be more convenient, but I doubt it would pass constitutional muster.