How to Deal With Telemarketers Violating Your Rights

Telemarketers are individuals who utilize call sheets and phone banks to contact the general public about new services, surveys or donation opportunities. Many people find telemarketing to be intrusive and excessive, and laws at the state and federal level reflect this opinion. If you're tired of being disturbed as you sit down to dinner every night, you need to understand how to deal with telemarketers violating your privacy rights.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Bookmark the Web site for the National Do Not Call Registry (see Resources below). This project of the Federal Trade Commission allows an individual to keep his or her phone number off commercial call lists for up to five years. Individuals can also deal with telemarketers who violate their rights by reporting them through this Web site.
2. Examine the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 to understand your rights when it comes to excessive telemarketing calls (see Resources below). This legislation lays out protective measures for consumers dealing with excessive phone calls. Note that this federal law provides exemptions for non-profit organizations and other exceptional circumstances.
3. Contact your state consumer-protection agency or Justice Department to learn about state laws against telemarketing. Many states have copied the National Do Not Call Registry for organizations that call within the confines of their state borders. State laws also provide for specific measures that ensure sufficient penalties for violating parties.
4. Head directly to the source by bookmarking the Web site of an offending company. Telemarketers have to disclose the company that they represent in their phone call to increase transparency and allow consumers to do their research. Consumers can keep violating parties in check by reviewing their Web sites and appealing to them directly through their contact forms.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep track of telemarketing calls to your home, office or mobile phone. If you are concerned about receiving calls from the same businesses over and over again, report the business to your state consumer-protection group and the Federal Trade Commission.
• Avoid confrontations with telemarketers for political or non-profit organizations. These professionals have greater leniency in their use of call lists than commercial organizations. A simple and polite request will help remove your name from these calling lists.