FCC Rule Could Mean Fewer Sales Calls at Dinner
- Posted on February 15, 2012 at 3:01pm by
Liz Klimas
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NEW YORK (The Blaze/AP) — You may no longer have to leave the phone off the hook during dinner. The federal government is cracking down on “robocalls,” those automated phone calls with the tendency to interrupt Sunday dinners and otherwise annoy consumers.
(Related: Fed bans annoyingly loud TV ad volumes)
The Federal Communications Commission said Wednesday that it will now require telemarketers to obtain written consent from people before placing a robocall. Written does not mean handwritten, though — electronic forms are OK.
The new rules also eliminate a loophole that allowed telemarketers to place robocalls if they had an “established business relationship” with the consumer. Now, they will have to obtain consent even if they had previously done business with the person they want to call.
Telemarketers will also have to provide an automated way for people to revoke their consent to the robocall by pressing a few keys on their phone during the call. If this happens, the new rules require telemarketer to add the person to the company’s do not call list.
The FCC and the Federal Trade Commission already had rules aimed at preventing unwanted marketing calls. But the FCC said despite this, “too many telemarketers, aided by autodialers and prerecorded messages, have continued to call consumers who don’t want to hear from them.”
USA Today has more from an FCC official on the calls:
“We have gotten thousands of complaints,” says FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. “Consumers were still getting robocalls they don‘t want and shouldn’t get.”
USA Today also reports that this rule change does not apply to calls that would be considered informational from non-profit organizations, political groups and schools.
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bigdaddyt46
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 5:25pmthe continuation of my main post has been deleted, now people only see half of my message thanks blaze
Report Post »jacobstroubles
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:12pmFinally the FCC would do something that actually has value to it.
Report Post »NO MORE PHONE SOLICITORS! Most of them are useless sales calls or scams.
bigdaddyt46
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 5:21pmget over yourself most are not scams, most are recorded to prevent things of this nature, and protect the company and employees. with robo calls stay on the line there is an option to remove yourself from their list, if not press 1 to talk to a person and tell them yourself.
if more did this like they are suppose to this would stop being a problem. if you are too lazy to do 1 simple step, then you are complaining just to hear yourself complain
Report Post »Boray
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 2:52pmYa mean like the robo call I received from EPA’s Lisa Jackson inviting me to join in an online discussion? Granted, it wasn’t a call to say my credit cards are OK, but …. Nevertheless. I’ll bet this is more geared toward Conservative robocalls. After all, this is the Obama FCC with his handpicked shill at the top.
Report Post »408 CheyTac
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 12:50pmFeds have a constitutional duty to regulate interstate commerce.
Unless the company is only calling people within the state they are from, then the feds have a duty to regulate them… period. All you wannabe-schollars that are calling it an unconstitutional interference with business need to go learn the constitution before you start typing.
Report Post »bigdaddyt46
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 1:27pmand we are regulated, very severly in most cases. however the situation at a national level premeates what you are saying how do i call on national orginazations(ie national amvets, national dav) if there is more regulations????
Report Post »MittensKittens
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 12:23pmIt’s funny how most of the posts here are against the “robocalls” and the only answer is let “big brother” intervene and put a stop to it.
You can’t have your cake and eat it too. Either you don‘t want government in your life or you don’t care so much…I’d rather deal with a “robocall” rather than deal with THE GOVERNMENT CRAWLING UP MY A$$ BECAUSE i COMPLAINED ABOUT AN AUTOMATED PHONE CALL.
Report Post »Palousie
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 11:53amRobo calls are obnoxious, all telemarketing should be eradicated. Period. They intrude into my home, my privacy and my daily routines. The totally automated ones, like Rachel from Cardholder Services, has persisted for over a year now and we can’t make thos calls stop. As for the other robo calls, why should I want to buy a product or service from a minimum wage looser who can’t get and keep a real job and who seems to ENJOY TAUNTING PEOPLE on the phone who inform them that they are on the Do Not Call list, tell them to get their number off of their call list and do not call this number anymore. HEY LAWMAKERS!! Do the general public you serve a favor – OUTLAW TELEMARKETING. ALL OF IT except for emergencies.
Report Post »bigdaddyt46
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 12:18pmminimum wage looser who can’t get and keep a real job and who seems to ENJOY TAUNTING PEOPLE on the phone
what a self rightous, arrogant ignorant peice of human filth you are. enjoy taunting??? that has got to be the stupidist thing i have ever heard on this subject. did you even read my posts??? i explained many things from the other side of the coin. before you condemn anyone you jackass, try seeing things from the other side. as far as your statement of not being able to get another job. i worked 4 jobs every single day 7 days a week 365 days a year on average of between 95 and a 125 hours a week. do the math that comes out to roughly 4 hours of sleep a day. not to mention the travel time. a vaction day to me was having to only work two jobs that day. you couldn’t keep half my schedules without moaning and groaning.
Report Post »so you want it outlawed?? ok then be prepared for even higher unemployment, higher costs of products, more welfare enrollments ect.
as far as minimum wage for this. you are wayyyyyyyyyyyyy out in left field here. NOT 1 SINGLE COMPANY I WORKED FOR EVER PAID MINIMUM WAGE. flipping burgers does, telemarketing/phones sales does not.
being removed from a calling list is not instantainous, it takes time as many many times people are one several lists.
the fly by night pure scam companies are different the the legitimate ones take your head out of your ass and see things from different views. instead of being close minded
MittensKittens
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 12:28pmBe happy with BIG government intruding in your life. As far as minimum wage loser…who are you to say?
Sounds like you’re a pompous A$$!
Report Post »jbcheesehead
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 11:42amSure: Go ahead and pass yet another law that nobody will heed! I’ve been on every do not call and do not mail list I can find and I STILL get a few calls/month. They are not traceable. And if you don’t know the number where they call from, the phone company or the Government will not file suit. It would be MUCH better legislation if the Government legislated that Every phone company on the face of the earth had to provide a free service where if someone dials your number and does not know your personal code, the best they can do is leave a message. This is a very possible solution and really not a costly one to add to all phone company computer programs. If there were an explosive I could send over the phone, I might be tempted to take the law into my own hands!
Report Post »bigdaddyt46
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 12:23pmIf there were an explosive I could send over the phone, I might be tempted to take the law into my own hands!
you’re as ignorant as the jackass above you. so you want to kill people who are trying to provide for themselves and thier familes by working a legal job. read my reply to said jackass above you it fits you too.
Report Post »AmazingGrace8
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:25amDon’t take the bait!!!! This mean-spirited-administration is using your HUMAN REACTION personalities to take away more liberties!!! I am that robot on “Lost In Space”….Danger..danger..America!!! Just heard a news item on Fox about ARSENIC in baby-food!!! Danger..danger!!! Why now? Why now? Listen, America, PLEASE !!! (THEY) are no better than the terrorist who behead or hang Americans from bridges! (THEY) know what YOUR REACTION will be & Americans’ are falling into A TRAP! The TRAP…our death of more of our Liberties! SOFT TYRANNY….SOFT TYRANNY…SOFT TYRANNY!!! I love Martha,Fox, but her reaction to the Arsenic because she is a loving and caring human being with children…(THEY KNOW THIS)!!! SOFT TYRANNY!!! Just PURE EVIL!!! Check the child’s lunch,more government control of products..CONTROL OUR FOOD..CONTROL AMERICAN CHILDREN!….Damn I am really ticked-off..I know what (THEY ARE DOING-MIND GAMES-AND TAKE-OVER OF ALL OF OUR LIBERTIES! Wake up America! Please, any smart-alecks out there that say go take your meds “OLD LADY” well, I just hope you are not going to sit around when the crap hits the fan & say,”What happened? I didn’t see this coming”! Good grief! There now, I have put on my happy-face now..because got that out of my system, for now. I am still fighting for America…Please join me and others who love America! Avoid the “Pitcher Plant”!!!
Report Post »AmazingGrace8
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:32amI have my happy face on and this article reminds me of the Seinfeld episode when the tele-marker called and Seinfeld asked for the guy’s personal-home-phone-number so Seinfeld could call him back when Seinfeld would have more time to listen to the guy’s pitch! LOL
Report Post »bigdaddyt46
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 9:46amfrom a telemarketer pro:
i hated, absolutely hated when companies i worked for used the autodialers. you end a call, and many times can’t take a breath, shake off a negative call, really do anything to get your mind back in the game. not everyone could do telemarketing sucessfully, nor handle the abuse, and nastiness ect that we get. the burnout rate for a telemarketer is 3 months(i have done it since the age of 14. i am one of the pioneers of the industry). that’s why turnover is so high. the mental, emotional, and even physical stress takes its toll. 4 hours of telemarketing is the equivalent of 12 hours on your feet.
this bottom line is the cheapest form of doing business, and much more effective way of promoting a product, service, cause ect.
i myself refused to work for a company who’s product, or cause i did not support myself(IE NARAL or any election work for democrats) i have raised money for jews, veterans, firefighters, police, national and state pro-life groups. i have also been in phone sales, and customer support.
telemarketing is always bashed as evil, however i submit that without telemarketing offering jobs the welfare rolls would be more through the roof then they are now.
Report Post »LovinUSA
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 5:01amWhat good, is “the National do not call list” if it doesn’t block ALL these insignifigant calls? Useless….
Report Post »skipmontesjr
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 11:37pmAgain the government running a muck…Here is the bottom line folks….This is going to cost consumers a lot more money for things…Telemarketing is the least expensive way for a product to get out to the general population….Most companies don’t have the money to pay for expensive tv, radio, ads or want to deal with the costs of direct mail….I know people hate robocalls but did you know that none of the rules apply to politicians and their right to free speach?..Thats right they are killing many businesses with this rule but deem their own use of this technology ok to bother you…..Hypocrites
Report Post »seldomscene
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 10:25pmI look forward to the state police calling offering barbeque sauce every year as a fund raiser. My leap of faith was with lowering my credit card interest rates. It however resulted in 3-6 percent rates on my accounts and still saves me 2,800 dollars a year. I have also been lucky with some very good cruise deals. Let-em call, I can sort it out for myself.
Report Post »mjackson007
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 11:18pmWould you mind telling the company that actually was able to lower your credit card rates. I’ve been looking for a legitimate company; and it sounds like you found one. Thanks! M.J.
Report Post »Mr. H.
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:25pmIt’s long time past time to get rid of robo calls. My number is listed on both state and federal do not call lists. I get 3 to 4 of those calls every week, often the same caller but from different numbers. I think robo callers should have to pay everyone they call $1000. That would solve the problem. “Card Holder Services” is the biggest offender. They want to reduce my interest rate for my credit card debt. I have NO credit card debt! Never have, never will. I have a metered land line phone. They cost me $.20 every time they call.
Report Post »ScoJo77
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:24pmTypical. The government encroaching on AMERICAN BUSINESSES trying to make money. Only in Obama’s America. We don’t need more rules! Private business can regulate itself just fine, thankyouverymuch!
Report Post »Ballot_Box_Revolution
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:47pmI hate the calls with passion, on the other hand i don’t want the government to jump in and try to be my hero!! with my cable the caller ID pops up on the screen….very useful tool. If I don‘t know the number i don’t answer…..my phone lights up when it is ringing, so i don’t need the ringer on……..I think I can handle the sales calls….
Report Post »qzak491
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 8:17pm.
Report Post »I can’t believe a government agency is actually doing something GOOD for the people, the head of the FCC will probably get fired for this, it’s UNDEMOCRATIC to do something good for us.
Ballot_Box_Revolution
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:48pmbut what comes with it…….i‘m sure it’s not for us, as much as it is to stop people from making money….
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 8:10pm…
Report Post »I hate telemarketers.
HorseCrazy
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:29pmpeople still have house phones? seriously? the benefits of a cell phone are numerous including the ability to turn it off or put it on silent or vibrate. If people with home phones are so bothered by this unplug the darn thing that’s what I used to do.
Report Post »ModerationIsBest
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:57pmGot rid of landline a long time ago.
Report Post »Pontiac
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:19pmI don’t have a landline either. Just a prepaid cellphone but I DO NOT give that number out anymore.
Report Post »To cut down on abuse of my cellphone minutes I got a Google Voice number. (yeah, bad old google.)
With it I can easily screen and block calls made to that number and I stopped answering phone calls that did not have my area code. To save myself further minutes I call people back using Gmail on my computer. (still no google voice desktop app…)
A decent alternative to Google Voice is Voxox should anyone be interested.