Get Phone Smart: How To Deal With Telemarketers It never fails. You've just sat down to dinner or settled in to watch your favorite program and the phone rings. You reluctantly answer the phone only to find on the other end- the dreaded telemarketer. Telemarketing, one of today's more persistent minor annoyances, is a $260 billion a year industry. It's no wonder the calls never seem to stop! So what can you do to keep these unwanted calls from coming in? Know your rights. Telemarketers are not permitted to call before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m. Also, when you receive a call from a telemarketer, you can avoid future calls from that business by clearly stating that you want to be added to the caller's "Do Not Call List." The caller must keep a record of your request for 10 years and cannot make any further calls to you. If calls continue, notify your state attorney general and police department. It is illegal to call a person who has asked to be removed from a list. If you request that your name be placed on the callers "Do Not Call List" and you get called back within a year, you may be entitled to collect $500 from the telemarketer. You can also remove your name from telephone call lists by sending a letter or postcard requesting that your name be taken off the list to: Telephone Preference Service The letter must include your full name, address, and signature. But what if the caller is offering you something you want to buy? First, ask the telemarketer for their company's name and address and a clear explanation of their offer. Be sure to ask about the company's refund policies. If you are still interested, ask that the caller send you written materials to study before you buy. Never allow any telemarketer to bully or pressure you into buying right now. If the caller says you must make up your mind immediately, it's probably a scam. Talk to your friends, family, lawyer or banker and get their advice before you make any large purchases or investments. Also, check with a state or federal consumer protection agency to see if the telemarketer is authorized to do business and to find out if there are any complaints against the company or broker. It's also important to remember that you should never give your credit card, bank account, or Social Security number to anyone over the phone unless you made the call. That's just the information a scam artist can use to bilk you out of your life savings and ruin your good credit. Never wire or send money overnight unless you initiated the transaction. And remember, you should never pay any fees or taxes for a prize or send any money to improve your chances of winning, it is illegal to make you pay to enter a contest! Report any suspicious activity... If you suspect telemarketing fraud, call your state attorney general, who is listed in your local telephone book and on the National Association of Attorneys General website (www.naag.org). You may also contact the Federal Trade Commission (www.consumer.gov/knowfraud) for a consumer complaint form, or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). It's important to know that these safety guidelines apply to charities, too. If you are solicited by phone by an organization claiming to be a charity, ask for the official name of the charity, the address, and phone number, and write it down. Then call the Secretary of State or the Better Business Bureau to see if the charity is listed with them. If the charity is not listed, report the name, address and phone number. For more information on legitimate charities, call the National Charity Information Bureau (212-929-6300) or visit their website at www.give.org. For more information on legitimate local charities visit www.bbb.org. For a listing of non-profit organizations visit www.guidestar.org. By knowing your rights and by following these few consumer safety guidelines, you can regain control of your telephone.
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