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FTC Implementing Ban on Certain Automated Robocalls

by Warren Riddle on August 27, 2009 at 06:02 PM

Bothersome and intrusive robocalls, particularly of the auto warranty variety, have become such an annoyance that phone wielders everywhere, including politicians, have been speaking out and fighting back against automated telemarketers. Heeding the public's call for action, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reportedly amended its one-year-old Telemarketer Sales Rule to completely outlaw pre-recorded sales calls.

The ban will go into effect September 1st, and will penalize perpetrators at a rate of $16,000 per harassing call, unless the recipient has given the telemarketer written consent to be contacted. According to the Associated Press, the ban will not apply to non-sales-related automated calls. That being the case, you can still expect to hear those creepy stilted voices during calls from organizations like political parties, charities, banks, and health care providers.

Proving that the FTC is fully aware of the feelings of U.S. phone owners, Chairman Jon Leibowitz said that the public has made it "crystal clear that few things annoy them more than the billions of commercial telemarketing robocalls they receive every year." Leibowitz recommends that people still sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry. He says, if the harassment persists, "Let us know, and we will go after them." It appears as if Johnny Law is finally taking stern and vocal action. Yippee-Ki-Yay, robocallers! [From: Newsvine/AP]

Tags: do not call, DoNotCall, FTC, robo calls, RoboCalls, telemarketing, top

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