.. and you're so amazed you had to tell us twice. According to your logic, we should submit phone numbers we would like guarded against cold sales callers to a completely secret database, then sit with our eyelids clamped shut and fingers crossed, hoping that said sales callers divine your preferences in a vacuum and on their own. I'll give you better odds for tossing a quarter into the park fountain and making a wish.
The entire point of compiling an opt-out phone number registry is so that sales callers can be aware of which numbers to avoid dialing. The fact that crooks with autodialers have the technical means to not care about your opt-out can't be blamed on the registry or its administrators. Feel free to design a better system based on magical thinking and submit it to the FTC for all the consideration it is due. Meantime, log your calls this year and measure the volume of interruptions from previously silent companies which may suddenly declare open season on your unregistered phone.
Another rocket scientist. OK, let me ask you this. How are these legitimate telemarketers supposed to know what numbers not to call if they can't access the list? Are they somehow supposed to magically know? You need to conserve that last single functioning brain cell and stop posting idiotic things on the internet.
"Feel free to design a better system based on magical thinking and submit it to the FTC for all the consideration it is due."
I have been wanting to write something about the "magical thinking" that some of the posts contain.
Perhaps we should ask these people "how do you think the Do Not Call registry is supposed to work" to get an idea of much they know about how the telephone system works.
I've seen a couple of posts where the author complains about a call they did not answer, saying "how did they call me, my number is on the Do Not Call list" and/or "my number is unlisted" -- it sounds like they think the number cannot be called except by those they have given it to. Sheesh.
People need to think 'hey, where else did I give out my number?' instead of always blaming the DNC and government. They need to realize that these people can use Mr. Computer to make numerous calls to ALL numbers. They need to realize that the MAJORITY of these people are overseas. But no, instead of owning up to the fact that it's most likely their own fault they're getting calls (like putting their number on an unsecured site or picking up a call from a number they don't know), they blame a list that was never DESIGNED to be a call blocker.
Right up there "if they called you think they wouldn't hang up on me". People think that these crooks sit there dialing numbers until their fingers fall off. All the computerized stuff we have today and it still boggles their mind that a computer could be dialing their phone number instead of a real person.
I've caught the same vibe numerous times in five years of monitoring mystery call sites. I've advised a few, gently or not, that a phone number is no state secret. Certainly not in a world where we have small machines capable of generating and matching simple ten digit sequences at blistering speeds. Definitely not at a time when personal information is mined and prized by hordes of predators who live to exploit it, yet given away freely by the very people who screech so loudly when that occurs.
There's a lot going on here which has stalled the idea, but I've long wanted to take your suggestion to interview Persons On the Street to measure the public comprehension of fraud, telephony, regulation, and so on. I predict finding a very depressing amount of ignorance.
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Scambait
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Most scammers call from outside the US and spoof US numbers to caller ID. Being completely outside the reach of US laws, rest assured that they DO USE the do not call list AS A CALL LIST. Because I have been in the process of changing out all my numbers, I have tested this and its obviously true. After putting 2 of 3 numbers on the list, the number of scam calls has more than doubled, and the number is increasing. Yes, its been more than a month....more than 2. I'm sure the list stops some legitimate tele-marketers, but is a perfect list of active numbers for overseas crooks
Bullcrap. It was explained above why that was not true and I'll add this. WERE they using it as such, my phone would be ringing off the hook. Guess what-it's NOT. It was said above how it was done. Plus, if you were switching numbers, you probably got one that someone had gotten rid of DUE to all the calls they were getting. Ever stop to think about that one? Also, why would scammers outside the country be foolish enough to put themselves on the government's radar by PAYING to get the list?
Well I guess we shall see since I just put my number on that list. So far no increase in calls. Looking forward top proving how idiotic your statement is.
Join me in supporting the Rotary Initiative that will require all Illegal Telemarketers to use Rotary Dial phones. If found to non-compliant, that will mean the illegal callers will have been 'extra bad' and will be sent to bed without supper and just wait until their father comes home.
I suppose some will sue when their fingers fall off, but what the heck.
Alas poor rotary phone, I knew ye well (my apologies to Will). One problem though. You are assuming that their fathers come home. Well maybe they do after serving 20 to 40 in state prison.
"Most scammers call from outside the US and spoof US numbers to caller ID".. Uh-huh, I call Bull Fecal Matter. Where is your proof? Outside of the IRS, Insurance, Microsoft, Jamaican and a few other notable scam calls, you are blowing off the thousands (including IRS, Insurance and Microsoft) of scam extortion calls made by criminals from inside the United States and Canada. "Most scammers call from outside the USA.." Pfffffft! Sorry pal, not buying it. Your DNC List theory is so terribly flawed.
"I suppose some will sue when their fingers fall off, but what the heck."
I think that removal of fingers should be part of the punishment. Index fingers for the first offense (all the harder to dial that way), thumbs the second offense (all the harder to hold the handset or put on a headset that way), then the middle fingers (all the harder to signal their displeasure that way) and so on. And if they still will not learn, toes and other appendages could also be removed.
I liked the old rotary dials. Waiting for the dial to return to the start position and listening to the clicks as it did so was somewhat relaxing.
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