FTC Info on Robocals

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/robocalls/

Just a portion of info available from the link

Consumers are getting more robocalls than ever.  Technology is the reason: Companies are using autodialers that can send out thousands of phone calls every minute for an incredibly low cost.  

Using its enforcement authority, the FTC has stopped companies responsible for billions of illegal robocalls that have offered fraudulent credit card services, so-called auto warranty protection plans, home security systems, and grant procurement programs.

We’re continuing aggressive law enforcement efforts, pursuing innovative strategies to gather evidence against robocall kingpins, producing consumer education, and hosting a public summit on October 18, 2012, for consumer groups, legitimate industry, technologists, policymakers, and other stakeholders to develop solutions to the rapid rise in illegal robocalls.  

Press Release (July 10, 2012)
The FTC's Robocall Action Plan
Robocall Videos
What's a Robocall & What to Do When You Get One

The overseas call centers couldn't care less what the FTC is or isn't going to do.    Unless the US government starts playing hardball with the countries allowing this, nothing will be accomplished.   The fact that the problem has only gotten worse proves that point better than anything else.

I'd like an opt-out for robocalls from politicians.  At the end of their robocall, there should be a number to call to get you permanently off their database.  It used to be only Republican (conservatives) who spammed our housephone with constant robo-calls, but now the Dems are doing it, too, in retaliation.  (I'm an Independent, my husband is a non-religious Republican who thinks the party has been hijacked by a bunch of crazy people.  I expect him to become an Independent any day now)

We have a rule in our house: you robocall us, we do not vote for you, ever.  It's gotten to the point there's no one left to vote for!  ;)

Teeny,

It has never been the preserve of any one party. Republican or Democrat, Libertarian or Independent, Luddite or Know-Nothings, they ALL do it.

Sometimes they even call pretending to be the other guy, and do things to make you mad.

Politics is civil society's substitute for killing each other when we disagree, and as a result a lot of disgusting behavior goes on.

There is a number you can call when you object to political calls.  Call whoever the message was on behalf of.  Call their office or campaign headquarters and let them know that they are alienating voters.  Tell them that these calls will weigh in your decision making process, as well as whether or not they respond to your request to end them.

It will not stop all of them.  But if enough people let them know that they are losing voters, it may cut down on the quantity of these calls.

Start here: <http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml>

These calls are coming from call centers in Costa Rica. They do cold calling for or sell the leads to
numerous companies in this country and they know that what they are doing is illegal. Tomorrow this same number may be selling Cruises, Timeshares or Security Systems but if you follow the money it usually ends up in the hands of an American LLC. Keep complaining to the FTC and FCC, and start bugging our politicians to pass laws to make it punishable in criminal court instead of handing out fines that they don't pay. Another course of action could be to contact phone companies to find out why they won't block spoofed numbers.

Robocalls are illegal unless you have given them prior permission in writing (not worded into some small
print contract from a 3rd party) and are absolutely illegal to a cell phone.  The Telephone Consumer
Protection Act permits individuals who have received certain unlawful telemarketing, such as junk faxes
or telemarketing calls, to sue the violator in state courts where they may be awarded up to $1500 for
each violation.
 http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/robocalls/  
 http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/07/robocall.shtm
 http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/policy/TCPA-Rules.pdf

People should continually file complaints with their Attorney Generals office and also file with:
http://www.fcc.gov/complaints
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov
If enough people keep complaining then maybe something will get done.

The FTC has already taken action against:

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/02/afl_financial.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/02/voiceblaze.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/roycox.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/03/voicetouch.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/robocalls.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/12/robocall.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/09/twi.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/02/robocall.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/robocalls2.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/12/jpm.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/06/asiapacific.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/donotcall/mediacenter.html
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/03/asiapacific.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/08/voicetouch.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/sonkei.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/05/ams.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/01/khalilian.shtm

"Politics is civil society's substitute for killing each other."

You have to wonder if going back to the old ways wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.

The FTC takes action against numerous violators as your post shows, yet the abuses continue at an increasing rate--some offenders continuing to operate even in direct violation of court orders.   It just goes to show the penalties for committing these offenses are far below what is necessary to have a deterrent effect.    As long as violators can pay minor fines out of petty cash and then return to business as usual,  they will continue with their very profitable  schemes regardless of how many letters the FTC sends them to "cease-and desist."

You are absolutely correct! We need CRIMINAL penalties against the companies that are profiting from these calls. Follow the money, slap them in jail, no one left to outsource to overseas boiler rooms, problem solved.

I agree. Fines work with honest people who made a mistake. Those who steal from others, whether they use the telephone, e-mail, or a saturday night special, whether they wear a suit or a ski mask, need to be in jail.