Stop Calling Me, a Public Service Announcement

[7wo7rees]

Want to stop getting those annoying calls from nonpolitical surveys? Want them to take you off their list forever?

Five simple words: TAKE ME OFF YOUR LIST.

If you don't say it, you get another call.
If you say, STOP CALLING ME, you get another call.
If you don't answer, you get another call.
If you pick up and hang up, you get another call.
If you say NOT INTERESTED and hang up, you get another call.

Stay on the phone, be cognizant of the fact that these are Americans (mostly) working a low-paying job who want nothing more than to get those who want to participate done with their call, and those that don't want a call, off their list.
Many times, they are not allowed to disposition your number as anything but Another Call if you don't SAY SOMETHING about the "LIST."

Oh, and don't get all hinky about calls after 9PM, because survey takers aren't selling, so they're not held to the hours for selling, which end at 9PM. Survey and research calls end at 9:30.

Your frustration will only be exacerbated if you do not interact at a civil level, and remember the people on the other end of the phone, trying to make a living, like my SO, who asked me to share this info with you.

This has been a Public Service Announcement to everyone here. Please tell your loved ones who don't like getting these calls.

Thank you.

[Jamastiene]

1. You mean that is the secret to it?

If so, please sell your SO thank you, because I have been inundated with those types of calls for a long time now.

[progressoid]

2. "This is Rachel from cardholder services"

And even if you do those things, some continue to call. Some don't care about polite or the law.

[freshwest]

3. Recorded robocalls can't hear you. Computers autodial all the numbers. There is no list.

Your solution only works if a human being is on the line. And I agree that we should be polite if a real person calls.

[IDemo]

5. Autodial or no, they are still required by law to respect the federal Do Not Call List

Rachel is a scofflaw.

[ThomThom]

7. robo calling is how they get around the law

The law needs to be rewritten or they just need to stop them calling all together

[IDemo]

8. Sorry, but they haven't gotten around the law

It doesn't matter whether a call originates from a live person or via auto-dialler - in each case they must abide by the federal Do Not Call list. Telemarketers are given up to 31 days after you've added your number to the list to stop calling you. And, even if you're not on the DNC list you can advise any company to place your number on its own "do not call" list:

If I don’t want to put my number on the National Do Not Call Registry, can I still stop telemarketers from calling?

Yes. Even if you do not register with the National Do Not Call Registry, you can still prohibit individual telemarketers from calling by asking them to put you on their company’s do not call list.

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt107.shtm

[ThomThom]

10. thanks I did not know about recorded messages

I was told if it was a recording it was different
thanks

[Iggo]

4. Hello? No thank you. *click*

Repeat as necessary.

[ThomThom]

6. I don't think the person calling cares if you want your name off their list

they just go to the next call. I have asked and still got called again. I am on the Do Not Call List and that doesn't seem to stop them. We need to ban this bull sh--.

[IDemo]

9. Filing a Do Not Call Complaint

When can I file a do not call complaint?

If your number has been on the National Do Not Call Registry for at least 31 days and you receive a call from a telemarketer that you believe is covered by the National Do Not Call Registry, you can file a complaint at the registry’s website at www.donotcall.gov or by calling the registry’s toll-free number at 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236). You may also file a complaint if you received a call that used a recorded message instead of a live person (whether or not your number was on the Registry).

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt107.shtm

[crash101]

11. I don't usually pick up anonymous calls.

You can tell some of them that. They'd heed and not call you anymore. But most of them don't listen. They stop calling for a while and then start again.

This is why I don't pick up anonymous calls anymore. Anyway, the caller can leave a message if it's important and if the caller is someone I know. Besides, if it's anonymous, it's most probably someone I don't know and someone I wouldn't want to talk to.

[crash101]

12. Or I pull up pranks instead.

Oh, I also pull up pranks when I feel like it. And next to hanging up, pranks are great! Hahaha! When I'm not too busy, I stay on the phone, crack a joke and waste the caller's time. I get a lot of prank tips from http://www.callercenter.com and they just hate that.

[Jamastiene]

13. I like some of those techniques.

Must use some of them next time one of the usual suspects calls.

[sakabatou]

14. What aggravates me is people wanting me to give money over the phone

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