FTC Bans Telemarketing Robocalls

Mark Ellis — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 02:50:13 +0000

Have you ever gotten up off the couch after a long day at work to answer the phone, only to discover that the caller is simply a recorded message trying to sell you something? Apparently, this annoyance has become significant enough for the Federal Trade Commission to flat-out bank these automated telemarketing phone calls, much to everyone’s relief.

The ban will become effective on Tuesday; however, this action by the FTC does not mean that automated telephone calls are a thing of the past. Automated phone calls from telephone companies, utility companies, many charitable organizations, politicians, banks, surveys, and pharmacies, as well as any informational automated phone call, are still allowed.

If you are not ready to say goodbye to these phone calls, you can submit your written permission to these telemarketing companies allowing them to continue robocalling you. Human telemarketers are still very much able to go about their business, however, meaning that if you wish to avoid these, you must go through the National Do Not Call Registry.

Image: Flickr

Post from: EveryJoe

DirecTV, Comcast Fined for Calls

Allison Boyer — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:48:47 +0000

The Federal Trade Commission announced today that both DirecTV and Comcast are being fined today for making phone calls to people who has asked them not to call back. This violates the do-not-call law, called the Telemarketing Sales Rule.

DirecTV has faces such fines in the past. In 2005, DirecTV paid a $5.3 million settlement for violating FTC’s rules regarding the Do Not Call registry. This time, both DirecTV and Comcast are facing fines for calling people who specifically requested to be put on the companies’ internal do not call lists. DirecTV has agreed to pay a $2.3 million settlement, while Comcast’s fines reach $900,000.

last month, the FTC sued Dish Network for allegedly violating the Telemarketing Sales Rule. The company has denied these allegations and is fighting the charges, though the government says that they are its biggest violator based on over 20,000 complaints from the general public.

There are over 167 million phone numbers on the Do Not Call registry, and companies face fines of up to $16,000 per number called. Charities, political organizations, those doing surveys, and companies calling customers within 18 months of a previous purchase are exempt from these telemarketing rules.

Image via sxc.hu.

Post from: EveryJoe

DirecTV, Comcast Fined for Calls

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FTC Bans Telemarketing Robocalls

DirecTV, Comcast Fined for Calls