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Aug 01, 2007 -- Why the "Do Not Call" list isn't working
Have you continued to get telemarketing calls even though you’re on the federal “Do Not Call” list? Clark found out why. Internet phone calling is not included in the scope of the law. So, American companies have been hiring telemarketers outside the States and using them to call you with their sales pitches. Clark plans to contact the Federal Trade Commission to ask if this is legal. When the Do Not Call list was created, no one thought about the possibility of calls coming from overseas. So, we’ll let you know what we find out. Also, keep in mind that you must re-register on the list every couple of years to keep telemarketers away. There are a few exceptions. If you did business with a bank for 18 months after your last account activity, the bank can legally call you and any marketing partner of the bank can call you. Also, politicians and charities are allowed to call.
Unfortunately, Clark won't be able to answer any questions submitted via commenting. If you have a question, please try posting it to our message boards.
Hey! I see this message is over a year old and I have not heard if there have been any updates regarding international telemarketing companies outside the US (specifically Canada) from calling US-based residential and mobile numbers? In the last 2 months I have gotten 7 phone calls from calls based in Ontario. On EACH call I have politely asked the representative to add me to the the "no call list" and EACH CALL I was either hung up on or actually insulted and yelled at by the telemarketer! In one case, the telemarketer actually said "yeah, I'll add you to my do not call list, good luck with that pal" and hung up. I cannot tell you how frustrated these calls are. Even if the specific telemarketing company is somehow exempt from out laws, surely there has to be a way to trace which US-based company is hiring these companies so a complaint can be lodged? I cannot even get these telemarketers to tell me which companies they represent. HELP!
