Tumblr 101: Tips And Tricks To Get Started
Sebastian Thrun: Google's Driverless Car
FTC's 'Do Not Call' List Hits 200-Million Mark, but Telemarketers Still Call
Back in 2003, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) put the clamps on the telemarketing industry by creating a nationwide Do Not Call registry. This list faced some stiff opposition at the time (from telemarketing companies, of course), but today the proof's in the pudding. Seven years later, according to Ars Technica, the list now totals 200 million phone numbers. If a telemarketing company ignores this list and calls a registrant, the person can file a complaint with the FTC, which will then drop its regulatory hammer. The FTC has settled about 60 complaints since 2003, and the largest one cost the offending telemarketing company $5.3 million in penalties.If you're tired of having your dinner interrupted by calls about vinyl siding or credit card debt, you can place your name on the Do Not Call registry by visiting the FTC's website. The list applies to land lines (for the few that still have them) and cell phones, too. While it's great that the FTC has made such a concerted effort to protect our phone lines from scammers, we're hesitant to give the agency too much credit. After all, telemarketers are still calling us. The companies that aren't calling have probably just moved on to greener pastures anyway -- like our e-mail inboxes. [From: Ars Technica and FTC]
16 Grammys Looks That Weren't Working
Whitney Houston Autopsy: Cause of Death Determined?
Worst Movie Mistakes: Date Night Edition (PHOTOS)
Whitney Houston, Bobbi Kristina: Late Singer's Daughter Hospitalized
Adele Five-Year Break? Singer Plans to Focus on Relationship, Write 'Happy Record'
PHOTOS: President Obama's Kissing Technique
Jennifer Hudson Whitney Tribute: Grammy President Reveals Why Singer Was Chosen for Musical Memorial
Grammy 2012 Winners' List: Adele Sweeps Music's Biggest Night
How Hattie Lost 300 Pounds: 'I Was Ready To Do Whatever It Took To Survive'
3 Economic Misconceptions That Need to Die
5-Hour Energy: A Success Equal Parts Caffeine, Chemistry and Meditation
Matt Bomer Comes Out As Gay
People With Easy-To-Pronounce Names More Likely To Succeed, Study Says
Katy Perry Grammy Performance 2012: Did the Diva Diss Her Ex-Hubby With Revealing New Song?
Photos Of Dead Lacrosse Player's Injured Body Shown To Jury
Whitney Houston Dead: Stars React to Legend's Sudden Death
Grammy Awards 2012: The Best & Worst Of The Red Carpet!
12 Grammys Stars Who Gave Good Style
The Top 10 Slacker Colleges
15 Funny Valentine's Day Cards
Mystery Disease Kills Thousands
WATCH: 25 Million Tons Of Japan Tsunami Debris Headed Directly Our Way
Remembering The People's Ballerina
Oprah Under Fire For Controversial Tweet
PHOTOS: Thank God For Grown-Up Glamour
JUNGLE SURVIVAL: Marines Drink Snake Blood, Eat Insects
PHOTOS: Model Falls At Dennis Basso Show
New Clues, Details Emerge In Powell Case
PHOTOS: Kate Spends Valentine's Day Solo!
LOOK: Amazing Underwater Photos Of Dogs
PHOTOS: Beautiful Scars
15 Funny Valentine's Day Quotes
Comments
1
Subscribe to commentsbillAug 5th 2010 1:17PM
I will be the first to say that the do not call list has been an enormous relief with the volume of calls it has eliminated.
That being said there is a persistent few violators that continue to make life miserable. Started receiving more and more solicitations on my cell phone that are spoofed (phoney call back number). When you answer and get to the live operator and announce you are on the do not call list they disconnect and you can't trace the call. If you reach the operator and say you want to be placed on their do not call list you are put on hold then disconnected. Can't trace them.
The political calls continue to be an issue. Around the time of the last presidential election I received an average of 6 calls per day on both my home and business lines. Can't block the calls either.