Page 12 August 16, 2012 Finance: How to Stop Annoying Telemarketing Calls By Jason Alderman First, if you haven’t already done so, register or phone number. Remember, though: Debt Do Not Call list, which they’re required to When the Do-Not-Call Implementation your phone numbers with the registry, either collectors may continue to call you, whether maintain by law or face steep fines. If you Act of 2003 was passed, it was supposed online at www.donotcall.gov or by calling or not your number is registered. suspect the call is a scam, go straight to to herald a new era of silence – as in, no 888-382-1222 from each phone you wish to Here are a few additional tips for reducing filing a complaint. more annoying dinner-time telemarketing enroll. Although it’s illegal for telemarketers call volume: You can also use your phone carrier’s calls. Based on the number of unsolicited to call wireless phones, you may want to Use Caller ID to screen incoming calls. call-blocking function to prevent future calls calls our household still receives nearly a register them just in case. By law, telemarketers must use some itera- from that number. However, this step won’t decade later, however, I’d say the law has Be aware that certain organizations are tion of their business name in their onscreen do much good if someone is harvesting been had only mixed success. exempt from the Do Not Call regulations bar- ID, but many unscrupulous organizations and selling your phone number to multiple True, the sheer volume of calls did drop ring contact. Charities, political organizations, will attempt to “spoof” you by providing telemarketers; plus, many carriers limit the significantly after we registered our home and telephone surveyors and companies with which misleading identifying information. number of callers you can block. cell phone numbers with the Federal Trade you’ve done business in the last 18 months If you don’t recognize the name or number And finally: You can notify specific sellers Commission’s National Do Not Call Registry. (and their affiliates and business partners) are you can either take the call or let it go to in writing that you wish to continue receiving But because so many types of organizations still allowed to contact you unless you specifi- voicemail. If the line goes dead, that usually their calls. Just be aware that some marketers are exempt from the legislation and so many cally request to be removed from their lists. means it was a robo-call and there was no live may attempt to obtain such consent surrepti- shady companies flout the rules, everyone I Telemarketers have up to 31 days to update operator available. Either way, you’ll likely tiously via innocent-seeming solicitations know still gets pestered relentlessly. their lists, so if you’re not currently registered continue to receive calls unless you take action. or emails. This is one more reason why it’s There are steps you can take to curtail it could take that long for calls to cease. If a message is left and you think the important to read every document and email annoying calls; and just as important, ways After that, you can file complaints about organization is legitimate, call them back carefully before signing or checking “I agree” to avoid falling for telemarketing scams: unwanted calls at the Do Not Call website to request being taken off their own internal to the fine print. • A better commute? It’s about time. Starting Fall 2012, Metro ExpressLanes will save you time in tra;c on the I-110 freeway. They’re toll-free for carpools, vanpools and motorcycles. Solo drivers have the choice to use ExpressLanes by paying a toll. All you need to use ExpressLanes is a FasTrak account and transponder in your car. Pre-order your FasTrak® now at metroexpresslanes.net. lacmta ©2012 ml 12-2215
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