The Truth About Cell Phones and the National Do Not Call Registry
March 14, 2013
Contrary to re-circulating email:
- There is no new cell phone national do not call database. There is only one National Do Not Call Registry. It is operated by the Federal Trade Commission and covers both cell and landline phone numbers.
- Registering your cell or landline phone number is free. Once registered, a number stays on the Do Not Call Registry until the registration is canceled or service for the number is discontinued.
- There is no deadline for registering a phone number on the Do Not Call Registry.
- No numbers on the Do Not Call Registry are being released to telemarketers.
- For more about the Registry...
Blog Topics:
Privacy & Identity
Comments
Scam telemarketers do not care about the Do Not Call Registry -- it makes no difference to them
Whether or not your private number is registered on the DNC, if you use that number in a business ad, then it becomes a business number and you can be put on a list and solicited.
you are right, that's why I placed a blocked and restricted to only incoming callers
I don't understand why, since I'm on DNC registry I keep getting calls from Credit Card services, calls w/just the # showing, and many "unknown caller" phone calls. Isn't there any way the DNC can remove my # from these scam artists? I have answered the calls periodically, talked to a person selling something and DEMANDED THEY TAKE MY PHONE NO. OFF THEIR LISTS, but they never do it. AND it's getting worse - more calls every day. I usually just let them go into Vmail, but it's still unwanted solicitation calls that are supposed to be stopped by DNC. Anything FTC/DNC can do to stop this? PLEASE!
Babs PA...I completely understand your frustration on this. I am receiving 6-10 calls / day from Card Services, Card Member Services, etc. I have asked them to take me off their list. However, before you can get 2 words in...they hang up. I have also received calls where they ask you to press to to be removed from thier calling list. It doesnt work. IUt just lets them know that your number is a good number and they sell it to other scammers out there. I am completely fed up with this and so far..I have received over 300+ calls since 2007! I am registered on the DNC registry..but these guys do not care.
The worst thing about this "credit card services" scam.. 'cause that's what it is.. is they are constantly changing the phone numbers they use, probably spoofing Caller ID. I've reported numerous phone numbers, makes no difference. I too have tried to get them to remove my number - no luck. If get to a real person, and you say anything other than 'yes'.. they hang up on you.
Their 'offer' is hardly legit, saying they can lower your interest rates. The dumb thing is I have NO credit cards, so these people are completely bogus!!
yeah, I have been having the same issues. So much that I created a contact in my phone called "bullshit numbers" once they call from a number I place them in this list and that whole list is on AUTO REJECT!!
They seriously need to be found, changed, hung and beaten to death for their rude comments. Infact they just called me and I told them I was trying to find out how to have my number removed the girl said I dunno when you find out let me know! and hung up!! UGH hate rude and inconsiderate people! That whole company needs to be charged with harassment!
I have been dealing with this for over 3 years .Same thing - Credit Card Services- they hang up on you. I have ason reported it to My States asttorney Generals office wiothout success.
I tracked those credit card calls to Lucre, Inc and since I've called them I've not received a single call from them. Try this phone number (616) 361-0128. When they call you there's no chance to request that your number be removed. That is an option when you call them.
Your response sounds like a scam!
still receive many unwanted calls, without enforcement doesn't seem to make any difference to be on the do not call list
While I have registered all of our phones on the Do Not Call Registry (and do so every year to ensure). It seems the sneaks continue to get our home & cell numbers. I have been filing complaints against telemarketers on the National Do Not Call website, but what is helping the most, is contacting the State Attorney General's website and filing complaints there as well.
This list is worthless without enforcement and the government knows it. Why even have one?
The government has no interest in stopping the scammers so enforcement will never happen.
This form of theft is a defacto business practice. This list only helps the government obtain information on citizens for its own use that would otherwise unattainable.
What else is there?
I, lost my phone I got my personal information like my debit Card I need a lock asao
I put these idiots on hold. It takes anywhere from 7-10 minutes for this to revert back to "If you want to make a call". Hopefully it will tie up their system. I get four to five of these robo calls a day. I have tried calling their number back, but alwlays get a busy signal!! I am sick of it to the point of terminating the telephone service and going to email only.
I entered my cell phone # on the DNC list and Immediately started to receive soliciting calls. What's with that!!!!!!?????? I say, if you are not getting calls, don't risk calling and registering with the DNC, seems like you're asking for it!@#*+#
We've had our home and mobile numbers on the DNC registry for years now, and it doesn't make a bit of difference. I just re-registered them, for all the good it will do. We've been getting approximately 7-10 solicitation calls a day (not charity/political/surveys). I used to answer the calls and politely tell the called we are on the Do Not Call registry and to please take us off their lists. They usually say they will, but sometimes they get very nasty and/or just hang up. Often they try to get around the DNC list by saying they spoke with us earlier about (new construction/windows, etc., etc.), and I tell them, "No they didn't," and to please take us off their list. This does no good at all. If I ask for the name of the company, they usually just hang up. Now, when the phone rings, I have to run to the phone and look at the LED screen; if I don't recognize the number/person, I let it go to voice mail. Most times, it just hangs up. This is harassment--running to the phone each time, and not being able to answer the phone.! I don't think anything is being done to catch these callers. This is not to even mention the Robocalls, which come in 3-4 times a day!
I've been on the dnc list 3 years and get the same Credit Card Services calls. Filed a complaint with Fed Trade Commis. FTC told me they dont have the power to do anything . ( So why take my complaint ?? ) Have some FUN with it . When they call , your 1st words are " IS THIS THE BEST AND ONLY JOB YOU COULD GET ? COME ON , YOUR BETTER THAN THAT , GO OUT AND TRY SOMETHING ELSE ... CAUSE YOUR NOT MAKIN ANY MONEY HERE ... HELLO ....HELLO ? ....If they are going to waste my time , I'll waste theirs .If we get a movement of everyone saying the same thing maybe we can get our point across . Or atleast lower they're work force .
Another government failure. Wonder how many people are supposedly working in the Do Not Call Registry group. That's the job I want. Report to work, get paid and do nothing. This has been going on for years. I read somewhere that they receive over 200,000 complaints a month. I wonder how many fines they've issued.
The FTC brings numerous cases against companies that violate the Do Not Call Rule. Here's a list of recent cases: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/reporter/donotcall/enforcement.shtml .
New technologies have made it easier and cheaper for scammers to call people illegally and to hide from the law. In fact, many of these calls come from overseas.
This service did curtail telemarketing calls to my land line but did not completely stop them. I recently registered my cell phone and waiting to see if it does any good.
Why are callers allowed to use false caller ID #s. If that was illigal then the true phone number calling could be seen and reported, and traced. I'm tired of trying to find the callers number on redial call back of ID # only to hear "that number is not in service" Seems an easy fix Mr. FTC/FCC
Just review the FTC Enforcement action reported-SO FAR 1, that is ONE, yes only 1 this year. No wonder my phone is costantly receiving unwanted calls many times EVERY DAY!! Way to go FTC!!
Do everything to tie up their lines like talking to their represenatives with the the same BS they give you or just lay your phone down and wait for the beeping to start the hang up. If everyone did this they soon would be out of business.
In addition to the card service jerks, the free security system folks are just as bad. I too am on the DNC list & have filled out complaints to my state atty gen. No action of course. The worst is when the phone # pops up as a local company but it's "them." I called one of the #'s & it turned out they had used a real person's #. Disgusting.
I was very crude & rude for awhile but recd a death threat from the jerk on the other end. We now just try to bust their chops. We talk to them in a foreign languge or gibberish. We answer & then ask them to hold, put down the phone, pick it up again, ask them to hold. We see how look we can keep them on the line. Act like you are interested but suddenly can't hear what they are saying. These games can be fun for our side.
Get yourself a whistle and use it when you get unwanted calls
Best advice so far!
Here is my story.
I NEVER give my cell number out, i have a fake phone number that i use for EVERYTHING, i never got any telemarketing calls. It was great.
So, the FAKE DO NOT CALL LIST comes out, a few years later i add my cell number to it, within one month i started getting TONS of calls, i was furious.
So, i took my cell off the DNC registry, it took about 6 months but the calls dried up. I rarely get calls now.
I DO BLAME THE GOV, they SELL the call list to anyone! They do not require a USA business check to sell it, so, they are profiting from OUR numbers, they LOVE this list and encourage all to put there numbers on it. They have more info on you and there making money selling to scam companies.
If you want privacy get your NUMBER OFF THE LIST, wait for about 6 months and come back here and tell me how your calls stopped to.
What have you got to lose? Your being flooded with calls now, well im not, not anymore!
what can be done to stop "robo" calls including ones from politicians?
I have been on the DNC list since its inception. What a letdown it has been! The best thing I do is just screen the calls. If I recognize the Caller ID, I pick up. But otherwise I let whoever is calling leave a message. Most telemarketers don't leave messages. I also have the phone on 7 rings and most telemarketers give up long before the 7th ring. It is all still aggravating though. The phone companies need to come up with something since the government is such a letdown.
Dear FTC - please find a few aggregious and non-aggregious cases to prosecute on scammers. Make an example, let telemarketers know they need to take the DNC list seriously. It worked for music infringement i.e. Napster. Let 'em know no one is exempt or "under the radar" and they can be hit with a huge fine at any time. Thanks.
How do you enter a number when it comes up "out of area'? I'v been putting my number in this data base for years and not one call has stopped coming it. I am truly beginning to think that this is a con to make us think you are doing something for the public. Its a big joke.
I feel everyone's pain. Unfortunately asking the FTC to control robocalls is the same as asking your Public Utility Commission to control your utility rates. It is almost impossible and not in their best interest. The laws are written so broadly as to give almost everyone a way to legally bypass them. Political calls would be a great example.
Don't: answer any call that doesn't have a name attached and leaves a message from a human.
Anything else confirms that they found a working number.
Do: Bury your elected Reps. and the FTC with email, letters and phone calls until they respond.
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