How to Get Your Name off Telemarketing Call Lists

Telephone sales calls are inconvenient, disruptive and downright annoying. Luckily, there are things you can do to reduce or eliminate them.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Antitelemarketing Scripts
• Commercial Hang-up Devices
• Telephones
• Unlisted Phone Numbers
• Pads Of Paper
• Pencils Or Pens

1. Go to DoNotCall.gov and register your home and mobile phone numbers for free in the National Do Not Call Registry.

2. Find and register for your state's "do not call" list.

3. Get an unlisted phone number. In some states, it is against the law to place sales calls to nonpublished numbers. Also, telemarketers often use the telephone book to construct their calling lists.

4. Purchase a telephone accessory that deals with telemarketing calls. When you receive such a call, press the button and the device gives a prerecorded message saying you will not take the call and want to be removed from the company's calling list.

5. Prepare an antitelemarketing script. You can find one by searching for "antitelemarketing script" on the Internet. Keep it by the phone. Having the script at hand guarantees that you'll know what to say when a telemarketer calls.

6. Begin speaking as soon as the telemarketer starts his or her spiel. Ask for the caller's name, the company he represents and the phone number or address of the company. Then ask to be put on the "do not call" list.

7. Address questions to the customer service division of your telephone service provider, or contact the Direct Marketing Association (DMAConsumers.org) for further information on your rights and your options.

Tips & Warnings

• Hanging up on a telemarketer may get rid of him or her for the moment, but he or she will be back. It's in your best interest to answer the call and immediately ask to be removed from the calling list. Then hang up.

• Registering with the National Do Not Call Registry will eliminate some - but not all - telemarketing calls after 3 months. Only calls that solicit sales of goods and services from companies with whom you do NOT have an existing business relationship are covered. Political organizations, charities, and telephone surveyors can still call you.

• If you have an existing business relationship with a company, the only way to get them to stop calling you is to personally ask them not to. If they call you again anyway, they can be fined for violating your request.

• If telemarketers will not give you the company's name, address and phone number or if they continue to harass you after you have requested to be put on the "no call" list, you may have grounds for legal action.

• Remember that your registration with the National Do Not Call Registry only lasts 5 years and must be renewed.

• If you receive a call from a telemarketer who you believe is covered by the National Do Not Call Registry and you've been on the list for at least 3 months, file a complaint at DoNotCall.gov.

• Although telemarketers are merely a nuisance, telephone fraud is a crime. If you suspect phone fraud, contact the Federal Trade Commission or visit their website (FTC.gov) to file a complaint.