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STOP Telemarketers Dead In Their Tracks
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By Jim Edwards
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Picture this: you're sitting down to a quiet meal with yourfamily one evening.
Just as you reach for the mashed potatoes the phone rings.
It might be your mother calling with news on the upcoming familyreunion, so you make a mad dash for the phone just in time tocatch it before the answering machine picks up.
As you wipe mashed potatoes off the front of your best shirt youhear an unfamiliar voice on the line start pitching you aboutaluminum siding.
You've just experienced what many call "telemarketer hell!"
But, thanks to a new service offered by the FTC (Federal TradeCommission), this little scenario should happen much less oftenin the coming year.
Telemarketers may finally face a law they can't bypass when itcomes to calling consumers on the phone to solicit business.
By harnessing the power of the Internet to eliminate layers ofpaperwork and delays, the FTC created the "National Do Not Call"registry where consumers can register not to receive unsolicitedsales calls.
Though the law exempts certain political, charitable and otherorganizations, it does cover professional tele- marketingcompanies and those calling on behalf of those organizations.
After the plan gets fully implemented in October 2003, anycompany found violating the law will face fines of up to $11,000per call.
Despite the fact the registry does not eliminate all unsolicitedcalls, it does seem a wise move to sign up (unless you enjoychatting with telemarketers over your mashed potatoes).
Log on to www.donotcall.gov and click the "Register a PhoneNumber" link.
The service allows you to register up to 3 phone numbers, so youcan even put your cell phone on the do not call list.
Once you register a phone number, the website will send you aconfirmation email with a link you must click before your phonenumber gets added to the database. ** Some common questionspeople ask about the National Do Not Call Registry include: **How soon after I register will I notice a reduction in calls?
If you register by August 31, 2003, you will start receivingfewer telemarketing calls by October 1, 2003.
If you register after September 1, 2003, telemarketers coveredby the National Do Not Call Registry will have up to threemonths from the date you register to stop calling you.
How long until my phone number shows up in the registry?
After you register, your phone number will be available fortelemarketers to remove it from their call lists by the nextday.
Telemarketers will have up to three months to get your phonenumber and remove it from their call lists.
What if a telemarketer calls me after I've signed up?
As long as you have the telemarketer's company name or phonenumber you can file a complaint online through the "File aComplaint" page on the www.donotcall.gov website.
For more information, log on to www.donotcall.gov today.
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