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Web Vigilantes Striking Back at Annoying 'Auto Warranty' Robo-Calls

by Warren Riddle on May 16, 2009 at 08:02 AM


According to the Wall Street Journal, Old West-style vigilantism is on the rise online, as ordinary citizens are joining forces to fight against persecution and harassment. Instead of inflicting street-corner justice on burglars, rapists, and thieves, this new breed of Web vigilantes are crusading against unsolicited sales calls.

Congregating Web-link-recommendation site Reddit.com, one angry mob recently plotted to thwart the telemarketers shilling auto-warranties and illegally circumventing do-not-call lists. After an anonymous posse member discovered the phone number for 'Auto One' -- a company many believe to be heavily involved in the unwanted marketing calls -- other freedom fighters began Rick Rolling the company, changing its voice mail greetings, and even threatening violence.






Heeding the public's distress calls -- over 30,000 of them, to be exact -- regulators from the Federal Trade Commission have also begun dealing out swift retribution to the ruthless and brazen telemarketing bandits. On Thursday in Chicago, government officials filed a federal lawsuit seeking a restraining order against the auto warranty companies, as well as an asset freeze.

While the vigilantes' inspiration and devotion may seem heroic, riled-up justice seekers need to be cautious of getting involved in an Ox-Bow type incident. Many states prosecute people who make harassing calls, so Connecticut's attorney general Richard Blumenthal contends that consumers need to "avoid breaking the law simply for revenge." Excellent advice, even if Clint Eastwood disagrees. [From: The Wall Street Journal and Ars Technica]

Tags: customer service, customerservice, rickrolling, robocalling, telemarketers, top, vigilantism

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