Getting Rid of Telemarketing Calls
Dealing with them if you get one or MORE
Skip the philosophy and get right to it
Underlying philosophy of telemarketing companies, their views on you and the world, and an alternative viewpoint.
It used to be that a person or family would come to the conclusion that there was something they needed, make the decision to obtain the item(s) and allocate some of their time to "explore the potential" of buying whatever it happened to be.

In other words, they prepared ahead of time to deal with the "ins and outs" of negotiating a purchase and were mentally ready for the experience before embarking on it.

On the other hand, telemarketing companies and the companies who use them appear to take the attitude that it is our responsibility to remain continuously prepared to make a purchasing decision at any given time or simply their right to force you to do so.

In addition, Telemarketing companies and the companies who use them seem to believe that having a phone is some kind of a privilege and therefore it is also their right (they even try to invoke The Constitution on this one) to use your phone as a vehicle for them to be able to coerce you into buying a product from them at any given time whether YOU are prepared to undertake to do so or not.

I propose an alternative to THEIR view. Your telephone is YOURS, you PAY money to have it and, therefore it is YOUR resource to be used entirely as YOU see fit and at YOUR discretion.

It is, therefore, your right to have complete control over the calls you receive on this device. That is to say, not just control over whether or not you choose to listen to sales calls but also control over whether or not they are allowed to call and interrupt you in the first place.

Telemarketing companies don't know up front that they are interrupting you at the most inconvenient time but, just to set the record straight, they DON'T CARE, either.

Many companies do this to some degree but Telemarketing companies are the most blatant about the whole affair - Remember, that's the business they're in.

Also remember, they are intruding on you at their convenience not yours and trying to extract your money from you for some product they want you to buy.

A friend of mine mentioned something about it being a matter of "common courtesy" to answer your phone and listen to what someone, even a telemarketer, has to say. It is important to remember that, in the case of telemarketing companies, they are abusing your tendency toward "common courtesy" in a most profound way in an effort to sell you something which you probably wouldn't have even considered buying in the first place. Except for true a-holes, most people have at least a little bit of "common courtesy" and telemarketing companies RELY on this. It is a despicable practice for anyone to use another's good quality against them for THEIR own personal gain and that is what they are doing.

This type of abuse might just eventually lead to the concept of "common courtesy" disappearing entirely from our society.

What gets abused gets taken away. By universal (not man-made) law.

Oh, and don't get fooled by telemarketing companies' "Freedom of Speech" arguments, either. Freedom of speech is a prerequisite to a "free" society in that it gives the citizenry the ability to speak freely about any and all Government practices without the fear of Government sanctions or retribution.

It was never intended by the founding fathers' to be used as a vehicle for the invasion of personal privacy by those wishing to make money.

However, I will note that freedom of speech DOES allow for some pretty good comedy from time to time.

OK, enough of me rattling on and let's get down to business.
Fortunately, there are ways to practically eliminate telemarketing calls from your telephone and, best of all, it costs you very little or no money to do it.

First of all...

Don't get on any lists!
Get an Unlisted telephone number (non-published is even better but it costs a few $/month)
        Making your existing number an unlisted (not in the phone book) one is usually free but offers no immediate relief since phone books have a habit of sticking around for awhile (Eventually most of the charities will stop calling you but they are the "nicest" ones - Some PBA calls I have received have been almost frightening - Both tend to come from the phone book). The best starting point is a NEW, unlisted number and be sure to insist on one that has not been in use for at least 6 months - More like a year - Phone companies have this information and don't let them tell you they don't - I know, I got one, but it took some talking. If you get a cooperative person on the other end many things can be done that others will tell you are not possible. Tell the uncooperative ones "never mind" and call back until you get someone nice.
THEN
ALWAYS treat your telephone number as if it were

TOP SECRET - Classified Information

Where do they get your number?
From just about anyone you GIVE it to!
Only give it out on a Verified - Absolute Need-to-Know basis
Think about the following when asked to give out your Telephone Number:
1) - Why does this Person/Business WANT MY Phone Number?
    - What possible use(s) do they have planned for it?

    - Do they have a VALID reason to need to contact me by phone?
2) Always demand to know WHY they want your phone number - This is YOUR PROPERTY they are asking for!
    - If they give you a reason, is it legitimate? - Verify the Need-to-Know

I, personally do not accept reasons like "Our computer system needs it for tracking" (commonly used) - I was told this when buying a picture frame at a local frame shop recently - Just because the owners of that establishment chose to purchase a software package that uses a phone number for "Tracking Purposes" (more like "List Generating Purposes" for them to SELL) is no reason, whatsoever, for me to feel any type of obligation to give MY number to THEM. Nor should it be for YOU.

What possible reason could they have for wanting to "track" the purchase of an under $5 picture frame with MY phone number anyway other than to use if for marketing purposes.

What possible reason would they have for calling me? - Perhaps there will be a recall on that item at some time in the future because of a "Safety Hazard" - It has likey been found to burst into flame when the house burns down (it was made of metal) and they will NEED to call me about it?
I gave them 555-1212.
If you are convinced they have a vaild reason and you are going to give them your number ALWAYS make sure that you get the assurance from them that the number will ONLY be used for the stated purpose and that it will NEVER be given out to ANY other party or used for promotional purposes of ANY kind.
If you have already gotten on a list or lists - don't get put on any more - especially what is known as a "sucker list"
"Hot" numbers - Numbers that result in sales - are far more lucrative for telemarketers than "cold" [unknown prospect] ones and if you don't think these numbers get special attention, think again.

The best way to get put on a "Sucker List" is to buy something as a result of a telemarketing call.
So
The best way to stay OFF one is DON'T!
Let's look at the whole concept of telemarketing at face value. Do You REALLY think someone you don't even know is going to call you out of the clear, blue sky and offer you the deal of a lifetime!?? If it really was "the deal of a lifetime" or even anything close [of course, that's what it ALWAYS sounds like when you get called], just how long could any company offer it and hope to stay in business?

Just realize right up front that there is nothing a telemarketer is going to offer you that you can't get somewhere else at the same or better price if you REALLY decide you "need" it.

There, now you know you don't ever need to buy anything from a telemarketer and don't let them fool [as in "make a fool of"] you into thinking there are any exceptions.
So, Don't EVER buy ANYTHING from a telemarketer - EVER!
Now I hope we've settled THAT.
OK, You're already on one or more lists, don't want to change your number because there are just too many people to contact and tell you have a new one and you don't own stock in the company that makes Rolidex refills anyway...
Make sure you don't get put on any more
One of the primary sources of telemarketing call lists are credit card companies. Yes, those you trust to safeguard your personal information the most closely are the very ones who are most likely to give it out. Let's face it, they gave you your credit card so they can make money and they do that every time you use the card buy something so the more things you buy, the more money they make - Plain and Simple.
Get your credit card companies to stop putting your name and number on calling lists
Take out all your credit cards and put them in a pile, face down, next to the phone. On the back of each card there is a toll-free customer service number. Pick up the phone, call each one of them and tell the person you [finally] speak to - as I seriously doubt you will find this option as one of the automated selections [why would that be?] - to:
Mark your account as "Do Not Solicit"
There, wasn't that easy?
Do the same thing with anyone else who you know has your phone number
This includes your bank - Yep, they do it too. - Utility [don't forget cable if you have it] and phone companies and anyone else you can think of. Even your Internet Service Provider! [Figure you've got one of those since you're reading this and NO ONE is above suspicion.] Don't forget your mortgage company and any insurance companies, either - and you thought they were sooo trustworthy.
And, since you're on the Internet, Never, Ever, Ever put your REAL phone number into ANY form on the Internet unless you absolutely have to [this may happen as often as twice in a lifetime]. I always put in all ones and it's SO much easier than having to put in a REAL number.
OK, I've done all that and I'm STILL getting calls
That's right. The calls you are getting are from the lists that are already out there. What you have done so far is to prevent most of any NEW lists from having YOUR number on them but the next step is to take care of the ones they are calling right now and believe me, those lists can hang around for a LONG time.
When you receive a telemarketing call:
DO NOT HANG UP! This is VERY important
1. Be reasonably polite to the individual on the other end but remain assertive and "assume control". First of all it is the telemarketing company and the companies who use them that are at fault for the disturbance and not the individual you are speaking to - Usually it's them doing all the speaking but you're about to change all of THAT. Remember, this person is just trying to make a living and is more likely to do you the "favor" you are going to legally request them to if you are not irate and you will feel better in the end, trust me.

2. When they ask for the person they are trying to contact (which is the first thing they do when they have a name)

DO NOT identify yourself in any way or give them ANY information.

Program your response to ALWAYS be "May I ask who's calling, please?" even if thay are asking for YOU. In other words, give them nothing - Do not tell them the person is not home or anything else - Don't lie, just don't tell. They are now legally required to immediately identify themselves, the company they represent and the purpose of the call to you and you now have "control" of the conversation.

As soon as they state their name say, "Who?" so they have to stop and give it to you again - This breaks their "stride", prevents them from steamrollering over you with their "shpiel" and helps out the "control" thing quite a bit as well.

Once you have gotten them to say their name at least twice [and make sure they say it so you can understand it] listen closely to the rest of their line for one the following terms:
      On behalf of...
This one is a dead giveaway - You now KNOW this is a call from a firm hired by the company to call you and try to sell you something.
      For...
Very close to "On behalf of"
      From...
Many telemarketers use the terms "From" and "For" interchangeably even though they are not supposed to so watch out for this one (they sound very close, too). Assume nothing, ask,"Did you say 'From' or 'For'?" and if "From", "So you work for [whatever company they said they were 'From]?" (Telemarketers trying to pull a fast one HATE this and it also reinforces your control of the conversation.)

And ALWAYS make sure you get them to say the company name at least twice.

If you REALLY want to have some fun with them, do one or more of the following:

1. If they say they're John Doe from XYZ Company, ask them to spell their name.
Then ask them to spell the company name. Then ask them where it is located,
how long it has been in business, how many people work there,
how they got into this line of work, if they are married, how many kids they have, etc.
Continue asking them personal questions or questions about their company for as long as necessary.

2. Say "no" over and over. Be sure to vary the sound of each one, and keep a rhythmic tempo,
even as they are trying to speak. This gets more fun the longer you can keep it going.

3. If MCI calls trying to get you to sign up for the Family and Friends Plan, reply,
in as sinister a voice as you can, "I don't have any friends, would you be my friend?"

4. If they start out with, "How are you today?" say,
"I'm so glad you asked, because no one these days seems to care, and I! have
all these problems. My arthritis is acting up, my eyelashes are sore, my dog has the gout..."

5. If the company cleans rugs, respond: "Can you get out blood? Can you get out goat blood?
How about human blood?"

6. Tell the telemarketer you are busy at the moment and ask him/her if he/she will give you
his/her home phone number so you can call him/her back.
When the telemarketer explains that telemarketers cannot give out their home numbers say,
"I guess you don't want anyone bothering you at home, right?"
The telemarketer will agree and you can say, "Me either!".

7. Ask them to repeat everything they say several times.

8. Insist that the caller is really your buddy Leon, playing a joke.
"Come on, Leon, cut it out! Seriously, Leon, how's your momma?"

9. Tell them you are hard of hearing and that they need to speak up . . . louder . . . louder . . .

10. When the! salesperson asks, "Is this the homeowner?" say,
"Is this the salesperson?" and wait for them to say,
"Yes,".

Now that you have wasted a sufficient amount of the telemarketing company's time and have established a reasonable degree of control over the call you can confidently proceed to:

3. Tell the caller that "this number does not accept calls of a promotional nature of any kind", instruct them to "remove this number from your calling list, place it on your Do Not Call List and inform the originator of the list of my request not to be called again." They are required by Federal law [The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) of 1991] to comply. §

If you care to be even more inconvenient to the telemarketing company you can also request from the caller the name of the telemarketing company he/she is currently working for [a different name than the "on behalf of" company], a valid address and phone number and request you be mailed a copy of their written do-not-call policy - They are required by law to comply with your request for the company name and contact information and it is in their own best interest to prove they have a do-not-call policy in effect as it is illegal for them to call at all if they do not.

You do not have to give them your name

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
December 28, 1999 John R. Winston, 202-418-7450
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
OUTLINES CONSUMERSŐ RIGHTS TO
PREVENT TELEMARKETING CALLS

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Commission today released an Order affirming that its telemarketing rules require telephone solicitors to maintain their do-not-call lists on a telephone number basis, rather than requiring all persons residing in a particular residence to make individual do-not-call requests. The Commission's Order resolves a Formal Complaint filed by Consumer.Net against AT&T claiming violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (TCPA) and the CommissionŐs telemarketing rules which implement that Act.

In finding that AT&T had violated the CommissionŐs rule governing do-not-call lists, the Commission noted that Section 64.1200(e)(2)(iii) of the rules requires telemarketers to place a telephone subscriber's name and telephone number on a do-not-call list at the time such a request is made. The Commission previously has recognized that some consumers wishing to be placed on a do-not-call list may not want to provide telemarketers with their name, and has emphasized that consumers who decline to provide their name still must be placed on a do-not-call list based on their telephone number. In today's Order, the Commission found that a telemarketer may not negate the requirement to place a telephone number on a do-not-call list by claiming that it was trying to reach someone else at the same number. The Commission found that AT&T had violated the do-not-call rule by making a telephone solicitation to the wife of a consumer who previously requested that the couple's telephone number be placed on a do-not-call list.

The Commission also found that a telephone solicitation by Universal Card Services Corporation, an AT&T affiliate, violated the rules by failing to honor a consumer's request to be placed on an AT&T company-wide do-not-call list. In addition, the Commission found that, in one instance, AT&T had failed to provide its written do-not-call policy to a consumer who had requested that document. The Commission found that Consumer.Net had not proven its allegation that on other occasions AT&T did not provide its do-not-call policy to requesting consumers.

The Commission denied all other aspects of Consumer.Net's complaint, finding that it failed to prove that other telephone solicitations and telemarketing practices by AT&T violated the TCPA or the Commission's rules.

Action by the Commission December 17, 1999, by Order (FCC 99-401). Chairman Kennard, Commissioners Ness, Firchtgott-Roth, Powell and Tristani.