FCC lets debt collectors call cell phones

[jaysunb]

Well, it looks like that bankruptcy bill & the failure of the Dems to stand up to the FCC has found a new way to beat down an already wounded citizenry. :evilfrown:

You may want to think twice about putting your cell phone number on a credit application.
The Federal Communications Commission says it will allow creditors to use automated dialers to call consumers' cell phones if they get behind on their accounts.

The FCC's ruling is a big change for consumers and debt collectors.

The agency traditionally held that companies can't use autodialers to contact wireless numbers unless the consumer gives his express consent.

In response to a petition by a debt collection trade group, the FCC ruled last month that a consumer who provides his or her cell phone number on a credit application is consenting to receive automated debt collection calls.

http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2008/01/fcc_lets_debt_collectors_call.html

[Mythsaje]

1. Not that I'm worried about it

but I don't answer calls from numbers I don't recognize.

[onehandle]

2. Only humans I know personally get my cell phone number. nt

[Xenotime]

25. You don't think they will get it from the phone company?

[Kittycat]

3. Well that's nothing new.

We bought new cell phones last year, with new numbers. We get non-stop calls to my husband's phone from some debt collector associated with DirectTV. They speak spanish when calling, and we have asked, begged, and screamed to get them to stop calling and they don't.

[LiberalFighter]

17. Too bad you don't have the cell of DirecTv's President and tell them that is your number now

[Kansas Wyatt]

19. Keep your cell records of when the calls come in...

When speaking to them, get names and titles, and keep a diary of what you tell them. Then complain to the government about harassment, and sue the hell out of them if you can.

[jayfish]

21. Send Them A Bill And Sue If They Don't Pay It.

When they don't satisfy the judgment, sue for payment. You can recover costs associated with the suit as well. They would do it to you.

[Fed_Up_Grammy]

4. I have no problem with this----cell phones are the only

phones for many people ----they should be harassed just as much as the rest of us.

[jaysunb]

6. Hmmmm

Spread that stress around, huh ? LOL

[jayfish]

10. And Should The Recipient Of said Calls...

send the debt collector a bill at the end of each month to cover the cost of their minutes?

Jay

[asthmaticeog]

5. Not to defend a nuisance, but a lot of people don't have land lines anymore,

and their cells are the only way to reach them. Given that reality, I don't see how this is especially out of line.

Flame away, knee-jerk business-haters. :shrug:

[Diamonique]

8. I don't think it's out of line either...

... if the person has given that number on the application.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

7. Personally, I Really Don't See A Problem With It.

If they owe a debt, why shouldn't they be contacted?

[Hoof Hearted]

24. I was getting calls 4 - 10 times a day on my cell phone from debt collectors - for someone else.

It's finally over but it took way to long. I finally had to demand to talk to higher level sweat-shop management and lie, I told them I was a physician and my husband was a lawyer who also happened to teach a class at the university. I told him since the semester had just begun he was looking for a worthwhile class project and asked him if he would like to be it.

The calls finally stopped.

[bonito]

9. Just ask them for a $35 information fee

And watch them go wild.

[truebrit71]

11. That's why I give them my former employees fax number...

...fuck 'em...

[jayfish]

12. I Believe They Have The Law On Their Side With That One Too.

...surprise, surprise. You gave false information on a credit application and can, I think, you can be arrested and charges for it.

[truebrit71]

13. It's not false. I USED to work there....just not anymore...

...if they don't verify it that's they're own damn fault...and the false information pertains to issues of employment, SSN numbers etc...like I said...fuck 'em...

[jayfish]

15. Hypothetically Speaking,...

I think they would say that since you gave them a fax number rather than a voice number you intended to provide false information. Of course they could probably say the same think if you listed the voice number too.

[jaysunb]

14. doesn't happen often, but

you're right, there are a bevy of charges that they could bring for falsifying an ap. BOTOH, that kind of crime would get more than a phone call.

[RB TexLa]

16. If you uphold your end of a signed contract I can't see the problem

[jayfish]

18. Self Delete

oops.

[AlCzervik]

20. watch the pre paid cell phone market go way up.

[Deja Q]

22. Pity the FCC won't let creditors make use of pay phones

Deemed "unprofitable", they are almost as extinct as the dinosaur.

Meanwhile, cell phones are still by and large "luxuries".

Nobody has two quarters...

[Hoof Hearted]

23. I don't fill in my cell number on anything - if a phone # is required I fill in my defunct

land line #.