3 Ways to Reduce Telemarketing Calls
If you own or have access to a telephone, you have probably experienced an increase in telemarketing calls during the last few years. These unsolicited calls are often from telemarketers or automated telephone dialers called robocalls. Legally for appointment setting, surveying, tele-sales, and calls to action, they have provided a vehicle now used for nefarious means.
Not only are most of these calls unwelcome and intrusive, but they can also be the source of scams or other types of fraud. The good news is, you can reduce or eliminate these calls from your life. Discover three ways to try.
1. Sign Up With the National Do Not Call Registry
Register all of your telephone numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry by going to DoNotCall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236). While your numbers will be immediately in the system, you often will have to wait about a month for the sales calls to slow down or come to a stop.
Any number is eligible to add. These include your cell phone, home phone, and business phone. Unfortunately, registering your phones may not provide the relief you seek. While this should reduce the number of calls you receive from legitimate businesses, scammers and businesses you have previously done business with may continue to call.
Other types of calls you may continue to receive even if you are on the registry include:
- Informational calls
- Political calls
- Charitable calls
- Debt collection calls
You also have the right to request these agencies do not call you, but you have no way to do so nationally.
2. Block the Calls
If you continue to receive unwanted calls, these are usually from scammers. Many of them use spoofing technology to make these calls appear to come from a number you know and trust or from a familiar area code. This helps to increase the odds of you answering, as well as to hide the caller’s identity.
Fortunately, most telephones allow you the ability to block these calls. Call-blocking technology will act as a filter and keep these calls from reaching you. Unfortunately, this does not keep the caller from calling you from another number.
In addition to the technology built into most phones, you can download numerous call-blocking apps to your cell phones. If you are unsure as to how to block calls from your phone, speak to your service provider for instructions.
3. Report the Callers
If companies continue to call after you have requested for them to stop, report them to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). For this to be effective, you need to collect as much information as you can. Some of this information includes:
- The time and date the call came through
- The number the caller is calling from
- The name of the company
- The name of the representative
By taking the time to report these calls, you can help the FTC and law enforcement to identify those who violate the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Hopefully, not only will this help to reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive but will help to identify scammers who attempt to prey on others.
If these steps do not work and you continue to receive unsolicited telemarketing calls, consult Heidarpour Law Firm. HLF will work with you to take legal measures to put an end to this abuse. Call HLF or fill out HLF’s free consultation form to speak to someone today. We look forward to helping you stop the harassing calls. Please let us know any questions or concerns you have, and please let us know how we can help your legal situation.