Target 11 investigates telemarketers violating the Do Not Call list

wpxi.com ^ | August 3, 2012

PITTSBURGH -- The national Do Not Call registry was supposed to stop calls from telemarketers, but it hasn’t worked as well it should. The Federal Trade Commission says complaints are up. Target 11 Consumer Investigator Robin Taylor takes a look at why the calls haven't stopped.
When you used to answer a phone call from a telemarketer there would be a pause after you said hello and then a real person would come on the line.
These days, telemarketers are using prerecorded messages known as robocalls, which are even more frustrating because you can't say, “Don't call me.”
Robocall: "This is a very important message about your current credit card accounts."
Breana Gardner, who lives in Plum Borough, contacted Target 11 because she gets robocalls like this from telemarketers that want to lower her interest rate all the time.
"I can honestly say I don't have any credit cards right now, so I don't know what kind of interest rates they want to lower," said Gardner.
Her number is on the Do Not Call list, but that hasn't stopped the telemarketers. She recently got five calls from the same company in one day.
"It's very annoying, but what are you going to do?" said Gardner.
The Federal Trade Commission says the number of complaints about telemarketers violating the Do Not Call registry has more than doubled in the past year.
"There have been a number of technological developments that have made it very cheap and very easy for people to send out millions of these robocalls with just the click of a mouse," said Kati Daffen, an attorney with the FTC.
The new technology allows telemarketers to spoof caller ID, and that makes it harder for the FTC to trace the call.
Robocalls are against the law unless you've stated in writing you want to receive them. The exceptions are political calls, surveys and charitable solicitations.
Robocall: "Hello. The FBI reports there is a home break-in every 15 seconds."
Diana Mey is a consumer advocate from Wheeling, W. Va., who was so annoyed by these disruptions that she sued and was part of a class action lawsuit that won $6 million.
"If I'm getting them, I can only imagine what other consumers are getting," said Mey.
Robocall: “Our records indicate that you have a vehicle that's under 100,00 miles."
Mey now records telemarketing calls. She questions why they are violating the law.
"I'm just curious as to why you called my number since it's on the national Do Not Call registry. Do you have any explanation for that?" asked Mey.
"You would think my name would be in neon lights flashing in every boiler room across the country, and yet I still get the calls," said Mey.
The FTC says that if you get an illegal robocall that asks you press a number to be put on their Do Not Call list, don’t press it. Just hang up, because pressing any button will only verify your phone number is valid and lead to more robocalls.
The federal government is stepping up its efforts to fine violators. It's sued 85 companies and collected $68 million in penalties.
"These cases have shut down companies that were responsible for billions of robocalls," said Daffan.
You can report illegal robocalls to the FTC. To file a complaint, click here.
You should also make sure your number is on the national Do Not Call list. It only takes a few minutes to register. National “Do Not Call” Registry
Pennsylvania also has a Do Not Call list, and the attorney general will go after violators. “Do Not Call” Law in Pennsylvania