Below is a list of questions to ask each telemarketer when they call you. Print
these questions, and put them next to the phone. Telemarketers are required by
law to answer each of these questions. Write the answers down and as well as
the date, time of the call, and anything else that will help you remember the
call.
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What is your name?
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What is the name and address of the company you represent?
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Do you work for [company name] or do you work for a telemarketing firm?
(Few companies do their own telemarketing, even when calling their own
customers. Ask the person calling if they work for the company they are
representing, or they work for a telemarketing firm.
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What is the company phone number?
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Please put my number on your "Do Not Call List". In essence,
there are two Do Not Call lists - the National Registry and a company's
internal do not call list. Most telemarketers, even those that are exempt from
the Do Not Call Registry, are still required to maintain their
own company-specific do not call list. If you are contacted by a company that
is exempt from the National Registry, you can request to be placed on the
company's internal do not call list. You can take advantage of this strategy
even if you do not subscribe to the National Registry.
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If the company calling is a telemarketing firm, ask for your number to be put
on both Do Not Call Lists: the telemarketing firm and the company they are
representing.
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Also, ask whether they make calls for any other companies. If they say yes, ask
them not to call you on behalf of any entity.
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If you ask a company with which you have an existing business relationship to
put you on their company-specific do not call list, that company can no
longer call, even if you continue doing business with them. If you
request to be placed on the do not call list of a company with which you have
an existing business relationship, your request will not apply to their
affiliates. If an affiliate calls, you will have to request to be placed on
that company's do not call list as well.
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Please send me a copy of your "Do Not Call" policy. Companies
are required to provide you with their Do Not Call Policy on demand.
After this they probably won't call you again. But save your notes, and if the
company does call more then once (they are allowed to make one mistake) in a 12
month period, then you can file a complaint with your local small claims court.
