One of the most common questions viewers ask is: “Why do I keep getting calls from telemarketers when my number is on the Do Not Call List?” Here’s your answer.
So to sum it up, the list only applies to legitimate telemarketers calling from outside of your state. Most of the calls you’re getting are likely coming from scammers overseas or from companies within your state.
How do you stop them? Well, until the FTC finally develops the long-promised technology that will act as a spam filter for your phone, the only option is to hang up. The longer you stay on the line, and the more prompts you follow, the more likely you are to get more calls.
Consumer advocates have long contended that phone companies have the technology and the power to block unwanted robocalls before they ever get to you. However, the phone companies argue that blocking any calls would technically be a violation of the letter of the law (though not necessarily the intent of the law).
FCC recently voted to clarify and update regulations that could potentially prevent the phone companies from blocking unwanted robocalls.
FCC Crackdown on Robocalls – Consumers Union Policy & Action
The FCC’s proposal to crack down on robocalls is a good move, Consumer Reports says. The rule would clear the way for phone companies to offer call-blocking technology.Source: FCC Crackdown on Robocalls – Consumers Union Policy & Action
It remains to be seen if phone companies will offer call-blocking features—and whether they will charge for them. Of course, consumer advocates believe call blocking should be free.
It’s also unclear if this technology would do anything to stop unwanted human telemarketers.
While legitimate companies are barred from calling you if you are on the “Do Not Call Registry,” that list does not do much to stop scammers and unscrupulous companies that are calling from overseas using fake phone numbers.
The Do Not Call List also does not bar telemarketers from calling you from within your own state. Because it is a federal law, the FTC’s “Do Not Call Registry,” only applies to interstate calls. The FCC is supposed to regulate intrastate calls. Maybe that will be next.
There are many apps that may help you reduce the number of calls coming from legitimate numbers. However, note that most of the bad guys are using fake or spoofed numbers (thanks to apps that allow them to appear to be calling from legitimate numbers).
Here are some apps and resources that you can try to reduce robocalls and legitimate telemarketers:
Read More at CBS San Francisco:
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – Many people who have been on the ‘National Do Not Call Registry’ for years say at some point it started to feel like it just wasn’t working.
“I got two already today…I got two yesterday,” retired
engineer Fred Parkes told ConsumerWatch.
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