How To Profit From Telemarketing

jsprat writes: "From the Seattle PI: A man gets an automated message from a telemarketer. He complains. Two weeks later, he gets a check and an apology! In the article, another man is mentioned who claims to have collected $2650 dollars over the last year for illegal spam, faxes and automated calls. Another weapon to fight these clowns?" What's your personal cash-won record?

How about $10000?

[ndogg]

Well, you wouldn't necessarily get $10000, but the telemarketing firm would have to pay that in fines if you request that you take your name off their list and they do not do that.

I've worked for a telemarketer before (yes, I have been to hell and back), and I k now for a fact that we were required to immediately, upon request, take a person or business' name and information off our list without any questions asked. If we did not, the firm was risking a $10000 fine. This is federal law. If a telemarketer continues to bug you after requesting that your name be taken off this list, just remind them if this little law.

Indiana is trying at least.

[Peyna]

Here [in.gov] is more information on the state of Indiana's anti-telemarketing law that was recently passed, and everything that goes along with it.

We might not have daylight savings time, but at least we are trying to keep out telemarketers. I suggest you look over the text of the law before making any comments, since it provides many ways for people to legally call you, such as not-for-profit orgs using their own volunteers, etc. Anyway, I think it has helped tremendously, and I'm still waiting for a business to get sued over it to really enforce it. (That will be the true test of the law.)

I also believe it is being challenged by a number of groups right now. At least it is a step in the right direction. Heck, the attorney general based his entire last campaign on this issue alone.

File separately.

[TheMCP]

File a separate suit over each incident in which they called you illegally. I would guess that the small claims court's limit would allow for a $500 suit. (Wouldn't it?)

It'll be slightly more of a pain in the ass for you, and you'll have to pay the seven filing fees, but it's probably easier and cheaper than hiring a lawyer and going to a full regular court over it.

Re:How about $10000?

[amunter]

If we did not, the firm was risking a $10000 fine.

This is federal law.

I think the federal law you are talking about is the Telephone Consumers Protection Act. The relevant law and complications with using it are analyzed pretty well at Junkbusters U.S. Laws on Telemarketing [junkbusters.com].

The amount is not $10000, but $500.

pennsylvania law

[mach-5]

Pennsylvania just passed a law that could make telemarketers liable for up to $3000 for each call. The new law allows residents to be placed on a "Do Not Call" list. The list will be made publicly available to telemarkets, and if they make the call then they get zapped with the fine. Here is the press release [state.pa.us].

Re:Auto Dialer Delete? Telezapper

[dbitter1]

My girlfriend has one. It makes a short beep sound whenever someone picks up the phone (any in the house.) Someday I might go over there with an o-scope and see what frequency it is and post it somewhere...

In theory, these also work to various degrees if sent down the line:
NC - No Circuit Found: 985.2 Hz, 380.0 ms; 1428.5 Hz, 380.0 ms; 1776.7 Hz, 380.0 ms
IC - Operator Intercept: 913.8 Hz, 274.0 ms; 1370.6 Hz, 274.0 ms; 1776.7 Hz, 380.0 ms
VC - Vacant Circuit: 985.2 Hz, 380.0 ms; 1370.6 Hz, 274.0 ms; 1776.7 Hz, 380.0 ms
RO - Reorder (system busy): 913.8 Hz, 274.0 ms;1428.5 Hz, 380.0 ms; 1776.7 Hz, 380.0 ms

Yes, there's a US code against this

[operagost]

US Code 47, sec 227 prohibits the use of automated systems to call residential customers. This includes automatical dialers (you know, the kind where you say 'hello' and it takes the salesperson several seconds to answer) along with recorded messages.

Unfortunately, most people don't know this, and are buying devices that quietly send a signal that sounds like the 'number disconnected' tone when you pick up the line, just to cut down on the problem. Make the telemarketers shell out the cash, not yourself!

Re:Putting liens on bank accounts costs $$$...

[DavidTC]

You can always just turn it over to a collection agency. I don't know exactly how that works, but I think they just take a percentage.

And they have all the right connections and lawyers to get the money. About the only time it doesn't work is when you aren't exactly sure who the person is, as is the case with some spammers.

But if they have an actual business, instead of just calling themselves one, it should work.

And I don't think it costs very much if they don't get the money. Certainly less than it would cost you wasting time looking for them, and they have a lot more resources and know the laws.