From telemarketing to debt collection, companies unleash a barrage of commercial calls to consumer telephones each day. In response to this telephone onslaught, legislators have introduced a number of ways consumers can quiet their telephones and stop commercial calls.
The National Do Not Call Registry
After fielding a number of complaints from customers inundated with sales calls, the federal government offered a solution to the telephone call barrage in the early 2000s. By creating a national registry of consumers who didn't wish to receive marketing calls, and by requiring telemarketing agencies to purchase a list of these customers, the government could both appease unhappy telephone customers and create a revenue stream from the sales of the list. By registering with the National Do Not Call registry, consumers are effectively prohibiting their number from being dialed by companies seeking to conduct sales activity. If a company violates this request, it could be subject to as much as $10,000 in fines.
The Do Not Call Registry is effective only for sales calls, however, and does not stop collection calls, political poll takers, or even contact from companies with which the consumer already does business. To register for the Do Not Call Registry, consumers can sign up on the official website or call 1-888-382-1222.
Company Do-Not-Call Lists
In addition to a subscription to the National Do Not Call Registry, regulators also require companies to maintain their own do-not-call list. Each time a company contacts a customer, the customer has an opportunity to request that the company stop any further contact. Under federal telemarketing regulations, companies are required to note these requests and comply. Customers who continue to receive calls after asking to be added to the company's do-not-call list may file a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission who, in turn, may issue a fine to the offending company.
Consumers should use very specific wording when requesting that a company stop calling. "Please take me off your list" is usually not sufficient to stop further calls, nor is becoming irate or simply hanging up. To ensure companies stop making telephone contact, consumers should use the very specific verbiage, such as "Please add me to your do-not-call list."
Cease and Desist Orders
While national and company do-not-call lists are highly effective in stopping telemarketing calls, some companies simply fail to abide by their customers' requests. In addition, certain companies (especially collection agencies) aren't bound to comply with do-not-call regulations, and they may disregard any such requests.
To effectively stop telephone calls from difficult companies, even collection agencies, a formal cease and desist order may be necessary. While courts can issue such an injunction, it is not necessary to involve a lawyer or a judge to issue such an order. Simply printing a firmly worded (but not rude or obscene) request with the headline of "Cease and Desist Order" is generally sufficient to stop telephone contact from any company. To ensure the company receives and complies with the order, send it to the company's fax machine and retain a copy of the fax confirmation, or mail the order using certified, return-receipt mail.
Tags: do-not-call list, National Call, Call Registry, Call Registry, Cease Desist, collection agencies, commercial calls
