2 easy ways to deal with annoying calls

Awhile back, we discussed a favorite technique of our volunteers who receive annoying, ill-timed, unsolicited phone calls in an effort to sell them something. The technique: Just hang up.

One way to prevent most such calls is to get your phone number on the national Do Not Call list, which assures that people who don’t want a barrage of too-good-to-be-true offers will be spared, at least most of the time.

The good news is it’s easy to register. Use the phone you want on the list of do-not-call numbers and call 888-382-1222. It’s free and covers both hardwired and wireless cell phones (despite persistent rumors that cell phones are exempt, one list covers everyone). You may also register online and file a complaint, at www.donotcall.gov.

Then, all you do is wait. It takes 31 days after you register for all potential callers to get the word that you’d like to be left alone while trying to enjoy your dinner in peace, thanks just the same. It may be a couple of dozen dinners before you start seeing a marked decline in the number of unwanted calls you receive.

If you do get such a call during that 31-day period, ask the caller some questions:

? Does your company have a do not call list?

? Are you the person to speak with about placing my number on that list?

? What’s your company’s name?

? What’s the mailing address and phone number? (By law, one of these must be provided.)

If the 31-day period is up and you still get an unwanted call, file a complaint at the Web site where you registered. It’s run by the Federal Trade Commission, and its enforcers don’t like people who flout the law. It’s sometimes tough to catch up with violators, but once caught the fines can be hefty.

Now, not all unsolicited callers are treated equally. Charities are exempt from having to follow the federal do-not-call law. So are political organizations, as we’re all aware and will continue to find out between now and November. Also excluded are telephone surveyors, who would otherwise be out of business. A final exemption covers entities with whom you have “an existing business relationship.”

Defining this last one can be tricky. Some fraud artists will call and try to “chat you up,” asking all sorts of questions to which they hope you answer, “Yes.” If they get enough positive responses on tape (and they do record calls), they can claim you’ve said “yes” to all sorts of things (whether you did or not) and claim that’s evidence of a business relationship.

Several people who have called Northeast CONTACT recently report receiving automatically dialed, or “robot” calls, telling them to call another number for any number of reasons. That done, you have established that “business relationship” and may be in for a number of additional unwanted calls.

A caller ID device can help you spot a call you don’t want. However, some fraudsters have found ways to “spoof” the machines by displaying false numbers. And again, if any unwanted call gets through, you can always just hang up.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration, now in its 30th year, of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast CONTACT, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. Individual and business memberships are available at modest rates. Interested and motivated prospective volunteers are always needed and welcomed to apply to help with our mission. For assistance with consumer-related issues, including consumer fraud and identity theft, or for more information, write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor ME 04402-1329, or e-mail contacexdir@live.com.