In June of this year, the Federal Trade Commission and its law enforcement partners announced a joint crackdown on illegal telemarketing calls. The new cases and settlements included in “Operation Call it Quits” bring the total number of cases the FTC has brought against illegal robocallers, including Do Not Call violators, to 145. Yet many consumers are still regularly receiving illegal phone calls after signing up with the National Do Not Call Registry.
Why am I still getting phone calls after I’ve signed up with the national DNC registry?
Once you’ve signed up to be included on the National Do Not Call Registry, you can expect to see a cessation of calls from legitimate businesses with 31 days. However, as you can imagine, scammers and fraudsters don’t concern themselves with the finer points of the law. You can trust that anyone calling once you’ve been registered on the DNC list is not someone you want to do business with.
What can I do about scammers who continue to call after I’ve been added to the Do Not Call Registry?
- You can block calls from unsavory characters using software, apps, or service provider utilities. Or simply do not answer calls from unknown numbers.
- You can hang up when a telemarketer calls. Do not answer questions or push buttons. Hang up.
- You can keep a record of calls from unknown numbers, including the number, date, and time of call to build a record for a complaint to the FTC.
- You can and should file a complaint with the FTC.
What does filing a complaint with the FTC accomplish if I still get unwanted calls?
By filing a complaint with the FTC, you provide invaluable information about trends in fraudulent and harassing telemarketing practices. When you provide the FTS with fraudsters’ phone numbers, that data is delivered to phone companies and software companies to keep an updated list of numbers that should be blocked.
Can I take legal action against an abusive telemarketer?
Yes. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act offers recourse for consumers who wish to pursue private actions against a company that uses abusive telemarketing practices. To learn more about the TCPA and legal remedies for DNC violators, get in touch with the Law Offices of Jeffrey Lohman.