Telemarketers Making Automated Calls To Cell Phones
[font=verdana, arial,geneva]SEATTLE - They're not supposed to do it, but telemarketers are making thousands of automated sales calls to cell phones -- and you get charged for the airtime.
"I think there's probably multiple lists that are out there," said cell phone user Janell Thein.
But rather than lists, it's more likely automated dialing systems programmed to call your cell phone and leave recorded or text messages with a sales pitch. Not only is it illegal, but you have to pay for the airtime!
Now, for the first time, someone's doing something about it.
Verizon Wireless is going after two telemarketers: Intelligent Alternatives of San Diego, and Resort Marketing Trends of Coral Springs, Florida. Verizon says they made nearly 1.5 million unsolicited cell phone marketing calls.
Verizon is suing for $700 million in penalties.
Cell Numbers Not To Be Released To Telemarketers
A recent rash of cell phone violations is prompting another round of e-mail alerts warning that all cell phone numbers will be released to telemarketers within the next 31 days.
They urge you to get your cell phone number on at the national Do Not Call Registry. Janell Thein just got the warning last week.
"A friend told me that if you did not get on that list, that (telemarketers) would be calling your cell phone and we would have to pay for it," she said.
And the e-mails are working, triggering millions of new "Do Not Call" sign-ups every week.
But those e-mails are only partly true. There is no 31-day deadline. Your cell phone number is not about to be released to telemarketers and there is no cell phone directory.
However, the National Do Not Call Registry is the only way to register any phone number you want protected from unsolicited sales calls.
For More Information: Do Not Call Registry -- www.donotcall.gov.
http://www.komotv.com/stories/39321.htm
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[font=verdana, arial,geneva]SEATTLE - They're not supposed to do it, but telemarketers are making thousands of automated sales calls to cell phones -- and you get charged for the airtime.
"I think there's probably multiple lists that are out there," said cell phone user Janell Thein.
But rather than lists, it's more likely automated dialing systems programmed to call your cell phone and leave recorded or text messages with a sales pitch. Not only is it illegal, but you have to pay for the airtime!
Now, for the first time, someone's doing something about it.
Verizon Wireless is going after two telemarketers: Intelligent Alternatives of San Diego, and Resort Marketing Trends of Coral Springs, Florida. Verizon says they made nearly 1.5 million unsolicited cell phone marketing calls.
Verizon is suing for $700 million in penalties.
Cell Numbers Not To Be Released To Telemarketers
A recent rash of cell phone violations is prompting another round of e-mail alerts warning that all cell phone numbers will be released to telemarketers within the next 31 days.
They urge you to get your cell phone number on at the national Do Not Call Registry. Janell Thein just got the warning last week.
"A friend told me that if you did not get on that list, that (telemarketers) would be calling your cell phone and we would have to pay for it," she said.
And the e-mails are working, triggering millions of new "Do Not Call" sign-ups every week.
But those e-mails are only partly true. There is no 31-day deadline. Your cell phone number is not about to be released to telemarketers and there is no cell phone directory.
However, the National Do Not Call Registry is the only way to register any phone number you want protected from unsolicited sales calls.
For More Information: Do Not Call Registry -- www.donotcall.gov.
http://www.komotv.com/stories/39321.htm
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