Telemarketers Sue Over Do-no-call List

[fasteddie]

Telemarketers Sue Over Do-not-call List

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Telemarketers expanded their legal challenge to the government's do-not-call list, suing a second federal agency over the call-blocking service for consumers that the industry says will devastate business and cost as many as two million jobs.

The free government registry for blocking telephone sales pitches has grown to more than 28 million numbers since it was opened June 27, according to the Federal Trade Commission, which operates the service. The FTC has predicted registration to grow to 60 million numbers by next summer.

The American Teleservices Association, an industry group that sued the FTC in January to stop the list, asked the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver to reject new regulations set by the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC added its authority to the list to close regulatory loopholes and block calls from certain industries, including airlines, banks and telephone companies.

"This truly is a case of regulatory overkill," said Tim Searcy, ATA executive director.



http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/ptech/07/29/telemarketers.sue.ap/index.html

 

[Guest]

I registered, but at the same time was wondering about this... I did, however, tell all of the clients to do it.

 

[BRiT]

What they fail to mention is how the large majority of those telephone calls are actually done via firms who operate overseas, typically in India.

Personally, the ATA can kiss my ****.

 

[Alyth]

I think the harassment issue is a big thing and should be taken seriously. It's harassing getting phone calls that you just don't want. Elder folk get taken advantage of the most. They are more likely going to be the ones to say yes to things without realising what they said yes to and that can cost them a lot of money. Money they may need to use for their medicines or other necessities. They are retired and don't usually have a great source of income and end up spending it on stupid things from telemarketers such as magazine subscriptions and credit cards they didn't really want or need. :no:

But I find it most harassing when they call in the morning when I am still asleep. If they call they really should start after 11am or 12noon when afternoon hours begin and end at 5pm before most people have dinner. Otherwise it's just plain harassing and extremely stressful to have to deal with them. Also If someone requests that their names are taken off the list that the computer systems they use ACTUALLY keep you there. Any new lists they buy that has your name on it should then be referred to the no-call list. Some people actually don't seem to mind the calls, but some REALLY do mind, and they don't want to have to waste time taking action against telemarketers or have to complain again and request their names are taken off the calling list again and again. I got sick over Newsday calling me 3x per day for a year. They buy SOOO many lists and each time my name showed up they wouldn't refer to the no-call list that my name was on. I was litterally going crazy going through this constantly from Newsday's calls.
:banghead:

This is why I'm VERY happy about the laws getting stricter and stricter about telemarketers. I feel bad about their jobs in jeopardy, but someone has to put a leash on the situation. I don't think they need to lose their jobs, just be more organized and really know whether or not the person they are calling is on the no-call list. :ticked: