How to Remove Yourself From Telemarketing Lists

Does the phone always ring just as you're sitting down to dinner, and does it always turn out to be someone trying to sell you a new roof or clean your carpets? You can fight back without turning off your phone.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Telephones

1. Tell the telemarketer to put your name and phone number on his or her company's "do not call" list, and request a copy of the company's "do not call" policy.

2. Use junk-call and junk-mail removal services, which arrange to delete your name from telemarketing lists.

3. Have your name and phone number placed on the Direct Marketing Association's telephone preference list, which the association maintains to identify individuals who do not wish to be contacted.

4. Avoid buying things from or donating to telemarketers. Cooperating with telemarketers may result in your name and number being sold to other telemarketing firms.

5. Maintain an unlisted phone number, since many telemarketers build their lists from the phone book.

Tips & Warnings

• Federal law requires telemarketing firms to maintain "do not call" lists and policies. If a telemarketing firm ignores your request to be placed on such a list, you can take legal action.
• Don't berate the telemarketer personally. That person isn't responsible for your being on the list.

[ecm1980]

on 4/26/2009 Great tips! I really need to do some of that.

[purpledolphin]

on 4/19/2009 This is very helpfull

on 8/8/2006 Pretend you're someone else. Just use your imagination and be shocking. It can be fun when they call because you now have a legitimate reason to vent some feelings. They seldom call me back when I do this.

on 4/16/2007 When they ask for you, say "Just a moment please I'll get them" then set the phone down and see how long they are willing to wait. They can't make other calls while they wait and that's how they earn their paycheck. They'll give up eventually and put you on the 'do not call again' list.

on 7/23/2006 I am a telemarketer, and I just do my job. The best thing to do to stop calls is to listen and be nice. If you listen, we respect you more. If you are rude we get angry and put you on a call back list.

If you want to stop calls, tell them they have the wrong number or that they have reached a business phone. There are dispositions for these calls that will not call back. Or, tell them the person they are trying to reach is dead. But be nice!

If you have a strange name, chances are they will put you back in the system for giggles. I called a lady named Marilyn Manson, and put her back into the list for others to enjoy!