How to Stop Pesky Telemarketers

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By elliesmommy
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Anyone who has ever lived in their own home has undoubtedly experienced this maddening curse of the maddening madness of recurring telemarketing calls. Sometimes they call several times a day, days on end.

However it may be, you will often notice that whether you have an unlisted number or are on the do not call registry, unsolicited calls persist. You may ask, "but how does one stop the truly persistent and daily bombardment that comes from such duplicitous people?" Let's get down to the nitty gritty and arm you with the know-how and muscle to shut down these villainous villains from their daily villainy.
As the old GI Joe cartoon states, "And knowing is half the battle!! Yo, Joe..."

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

First off, register with the National Do Not Call Registry. Keep in mind that this is not foolproof, and once you have entered your number it takes approximately 31 days for it to take effect in their registry. You might want to update yourself on the cunning of the Telemarketer by checking out my links below.
Step 2

So the calls keep flooding in, what now? Generally for auto dialer calls there will be an option to press a number to take your home number off their call list or to ask to have it done.
This doesn't work and is a waste of time, don't take solace in this little ruse. Hang up and go to your old trusted buddy Google.
Punching in this phone number will inevitably bring you to a host of sites that are solely devoted to tracking back Telemarketing numbers, they don't always work but I have found much success with the site Caller Complaints.
Step 3

Look up the carrier's contact info per Google and give the carrier a call. Make sure you have the number of the offending caller and how many times you have been called and at the exact time of day they have called. You want them to know you mean business while yet being as friendly as a slightly irritable Mr. Rogers.
Ask to be routed through their customer service/complaints department. Also, make sure that you state that you found out about the carrier and caller through whatever Telemarketing Complaint site you are using.
Be polite, yet firm and do not leave your concern opened ended but state that you will be contacting the Federal Trade Commission if this matter is not handled and continues. (Generally I have seen that most of these carriers are smaller 3rd party operations and not inclined to shady practices.) Ask them how they are going to help you take care of this issue.
Step 4

Generally they will ask for your contact info and they will state that they will look into that matter. Make sure you get the representative's name and extension and ask for a CASE number to refer back to (write everything down!). Make sure they understand that you will be following up on this. Remember, you need to follow up with any investigating they have to do.
Step 5

Should all else fail you can contact the Federal Trade Commission to lodge your complaint. The detailed information that you provide will greatly aid putting an end to your unwanted caller.
Step 6

My experience has been when the same caller contacted again, I pressed the button to speak with a "Live" person and was able to relay to them that I knew who they were, that I knew the caller's location, I knew who their company was and I had already contacted and opened a case with their carrier and that my next step was to contact the Federal Trade Commission. Detailed info is your friend.
Whether it was a fluke or not, my telemarketing "friend" was left speechless, I told them I would go further if they persisted and was able to end the call on my terms. The company called me the following day saying that they have dealt with the telemarketer and that all calls would cease immediately. All quiet on the western front here.

Comments

chickenfryer said

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on 12/18/2009 Nice post, but a lot of work to stop them!
I do not have a home phone anymore, just cell.
When they call me I tell them I am very interested but to call me back in half an hour. I put their number on my Blackberry Contacts list and give it a distinctive ring which is 'Mute'. Mastercard called me within 10 days 23 times, then they gave up.:-)
I hate those pesky calls.