Telemarketing

Well, I have an admission to make. I had to work for a little more than a month at a telemarketing position. While that was not the most enjoyable job in the world, I did get to learn all about the legal ins and outs of telemarketing. One of the most common questions people have about telemarketing is how to stop it. It is not really as difficult as it seems. There are four Do Not Call (DNC) lists that telemarketers abide by:

1. The Direct Marketing Association (costs $3.00, and also implicitly places you on a Do Not Mail list as well)
2. State DNC list (probably free)
3. National DNC list (free)
4. Each company usually has their own private DNC list as well; when you ask a telemarketer to be placed on the DNC list, you go on their private DNC list. Of course, that won't prevent you from getting calls from other companies.

However, there are two facts about DNC lists that people usually don't know:

1. They're only good for five years. For example, if you get on the National DNC list, you'll have to get back on it every five years.
2. The following telemarketers are not affected by the DNC lists:
   1. Non-profit companies
   2. Politicians
   3. Surveys
   4. Companies with whom you have an Established Business Relationship (EBR)

Now, have a guess at how your mortgage holder or bank can bypass the DNC lists. That's right, you have an EBR with them! But all is not lost - you can prevent calls from those companies, too... Every company that can subject you to telemarketing calls is required to send out a Privacy Act Notice twice a year. You know - that thing you just throw away. Well, if you were to actually respond to it stating that you don't want your phone number and address contacted by salespeople, then that company won't legally be able to telemarket you. So, to prevent telemarketing, just do two things:

1. Get on the National DNC list.
2. Respond to Privacy Act Notices.

Too much of a pain? Well, you can settle for just getting on the private DNC lists. Here's some tips on what to say to telemarketers:

1. Never say "not interested." This is the most common response, but they'll just call you back in a few weeks with a different offer.
2. Explicitly ask to be placed on the "Do Not Call" list. They are then required to read this paragraph confirming your name and address, apologizing, letting you know it may take up to 30 days to take effect, phone number of the company they're representing, etc. Let them finish.
3. Be nice! There have been situations where people were... ah, accidentally... placed on the Spanish callback list... and it's just coincidental that these people were absolute jerks...

Well, that's it for today! Merry Christmas! ;)