Tired Of Telemarketing Calls?

Tougher rules have been established against prerecorded telemarketing calls, aka 'robocalls', due to continuing complaints from consumers who did not give telemarketers written permission to make the calls. According to AARP, violators could face penalties under the Federal Trade Commission's new Telemarketing Sales Rule amendments.

The FTC reminds consumers who receive telemarketer calls that they should be allowed to opt out of the call at the beginning of a prerecorded message by saying 'remove' or by pressing a button to have their number removed from the call list. If telemarketers fail to include the opt-out in the beginning of a pre-recorded message, they could face fines of up to $16,000 per call.

Organizations exempt from the Do Not Call list include politicians and political groups; banks, telephone carriers and utility companies contacting customers; survey takers; debt collectors; charities; certain health-related messages including prescription refill notices; and informational prerecorded messages from schools or road closings, etc.

Consumers should be aware that the new law may not stop all automated calls. Legitimate telemarketers should check the Do Not Call list each month but some don't according to the FTC. If you receive unauthorized telemarketing calls, you can file a complaint by going online to www.complaints.donotcall.gov. You may also file a complaint or register a number on the Do Not Call list at 1-877-382-4357.